Surat - Roma - Mitchell

Campspot at Surat was beside the Balonne River (still with plenty of water) and we found ourselves a spot near the river and set up for an overnight stay.  There were quite a few vans and motor homes already camped when we arrived.
We took a walk down to the river and found a pontoon that is obviously for the use of fisher folk with their boats.  The traffic bridge looms high overhead but look at what was caught in the underneath of the bridge!!  Just shows how high that water was during the flood.

                                         can you see the tree limb hanging from the bridge? 

The country all around is quite brown and although the grass looks green beside the river as we walked around we could see cracks in the river bank showing how much the ground is already drying out.

cracks in the riverbank at Surat

 Leaving Surat next morning we drove 89km to Roma and filled up with fuel, groceries, coffee at McDonalds and used their wifi to check emails etc.  Wonderful place that Golden Arches restaurants, good coffee and free internet.

no this isn't us refueling

 

Monty's collection of 'old' cars on display

 

Once everything was full again we headed out along the Warrego Hway and travelled all of 41km to a little spot called Muckabilla.  Just a hotel/motel and the Community Park where a hot shower and toilets were waiting for us.  Needless to say we decided to stay the night along with another van and motorhome.  We left a donation in the box provided and appreciate these facilities provided in small out of the way places.

Of course next morning off again to Mitchell, another 40 odd km so no stressing about the mileage on this trip!!  We headed to the Neil Turner Weir just 2.5km out of town to check out the camp spot that others had mentioned was pretty good.  Arriving in time for morning smoko we parked beside the weir and enjoyed the view over the water.  What a great place, toilets and water laid on and water views to match.  There was not much thought had to go into deciding if we would stay a while or not.

Lovely sunny day, even into a singlet top and shorts today, so started work on the tan again.  Sunset was magic so as the day drew to a close we sat and took it all in.

 

What a life!!  I had taken a walk at 3.30pm and counted 24 vans and motorhomes already set up.  I am sure that more would have come in during the next couple of hours but there was not a feeling of 'cramped' as there was plenty of room.  Only ones close together seemed to be those folk that were travelling together so all in all another fabulous FREE place to camp and enjoy nature's bounty.