Woodgate. Days 1 to 5: Tue 5 - Sat 9 Oct 21, total distance towed: 142 km

As our friends from Canberra, Bob and Noeleene, were coming to the end of their stay in QLD, they let us know they would be at Woodgate for a week. As we have been to Woodgate on several occasions, we knew that a week would be too much, and settled on four nights. We told our other local caravan and cycling buddies where we were going should they wish to join us. Kev and Jo joined us and we stayed at the Woodgate Beach Hotel campgrounds in the unpowered section. Mark and Sue arrived two days later and stayed in the NRMA Woodgate Van Park, where Bob and Noeleene were staying. We couldn't get in at that park as they said our van was too big. Lucky we opted for unpowered at the pub as the spaces there are very tight. A new couple for us, Don and Liz (friends with Kev and Jo) joined us for two nights at the pub park with their little teardrop van. Gunther and Rocko (the dog) came for a lunch-time visit on Friday.

As it was Greg's birthday on the day we arrived, we just had to go to the pub for dinner celebrations; you can always be guaranteed a good meal there. We also celebrated Noeleene's birthday on Thu night, so there was not much to do in the cooking department.

We went out on the bikes and on foot on many occasions, and Greg took Bob on some longer local rides which they both enjoyed.

We packed up and left on Saturday morning and the van was unpacked and safely back in the shed just before lunch. Bob and Noeleene arrived shortly after that and stayed for two weeks whilst waiting for the ACT border with NSW to open without having to quarantine.

Day 4: Sun 19 Sep - Wondai to Home, 179 km

A warm morning

We were on the road at 7:30 this morning in the hope we would be home in time for Greg to make it to Church. Alas, we were about 30 minutes late. We came home via Woolooga, a road we have used once before, and will perhaps use again. 

We wanted to stop at Kilkivan for a coffee, but the café was not open, so onwards we travelled. We arrived home just before 10 am and immediately brewed up in the van. By midday, the van was unpacked, washing was on the line, and the van was back in the shed.

We had a relaxing 2.5 days/3 nights away with our cycling and caravanning buddies, and are already planning the next getaway that will happen after school holidays are over. Thank you Mark&Sue for your company and 'planning' the trip.

Day 3: Sat 18 Sep - Wondai

Another cool'ish morning to a warm afternoon

After breakfast, we got an early start for our ride to Kingaroy and back. It was uphill with a tailwind all the way to Wooroolin (~14km) where Wendy and Susan decided they had had enough and stopped for a coffee and then rode home into the headwind a fairly stiff one. The boys made it all the way to Kingaroy and back, 64 km.

After lunch and a rest, we went for a short walk around town, then Greg went for another ride because he could.

Indian takeaways tonight, and they were tasty and nicely curried. A pleasant night around the dinner table before the coolness of the evening drove us inside.

Day 2: Fri 17 Sep - Wondai

Cool start to the day, warmed up nicely

After breakfast, we rode to Murgon for mornos. It was mostly down hill all the way there, with a headwind. We found coffee and cakes at the bakery and consumed them at one of the park tables and benches. After mornos, we did a small tour of Murgon before heading back to Wondai. The uphill didn't seem as bad, maybe because we had a strong'ish tailwind?

After a little rest and another coffee, we explored Wondai; art gallery, op shop, antiques and collectibles (aka junk), woodwork shop, visitor info centre, heritage museum, and the shops. A very late lunch was had after that, then a rest, and a sit and chat session. 

Homemade pizzas for dinner over a chat with the neighbours. We came home to watch the footy, however, the only channel we could not tune into was Channel 9, so read, and went to bed early.  

Camp Wondai

Murgon Murals

Rail trail

Greg wanted to ride in the kids train

Art Gallery

Art by Summer Brook-Jones

Guinea Fowl 1

Magnolia

Wire Lady

Where did he say the bloody waterholes was

Frog 2

No title, but is a good picture

Charlotte the Emu

Photography by Carl Hogg

Reflection

Mud wasp

Wondai Dingoes

Outside the Wondai Woodcrafters Workshop

Visitor info centre

Same flower, different angles

Heritage Museum

A really old clock (patented 15 Feb 1876) with date display as well

Glen Prairie - a typical pioneer's cottage

A very unhygienic nurse - no shoes in the operating theatre, goodness gracious!

A pretty fancy looking bed for those days, even the meal looked good

Steam traction engine

Dennis the turbine fire engine

Peanut thrasher

The Dunny

Good to know

Nightmares

Sue driving the musical tractor

Cecil Hotel

Wondai Hotel - closed since June

2021 - Wondai, Day 1: Thu 16 Sep - Home to Wondai, 193 km

This trip was booked in even before we arrived home from the big trip, amd was originally going to be a four nighter.  However, ended up being three.  And there were going to be the three usual couples, but as it turned out there were just two. 

Due to pre-booked appointments, we only left home about 12:30 pm.  Not a problem as we knew we only had a short drive.  As there were lots of roadworks we had to either slow down or stop for, we only arrived at Wondai Rest Area free camp just before 3:30 pm. Mark and Sue were already here so we set up camp near them.

Afternoon tea was had at M&S's, complete with homemade, by Sue, cinnamon scrolls which were delicious thank you.   Dinner was had at Hotel Cecil and after a false start (we ordered crumbed chicken breast which were unavailable), all meals were yummy and filled us up.

An after dinner drink was had, and it wasn't long after that we were in bed.

Camp Wondai

Day 10: Fri 26 Feb - Burrum Heads to Home, 23km

Normally on a Friday, Greg rides his motor bike to Burrum Heads for mornos with the boys (and some girls). So, today, he went for q quick bicycle ride then joined Ian and the others at the cafe for a coffee and a catch up. Wendy walked then slowly packed up the van in preparation for our departure.

We were out of the park just after 9am and home about 25 minutes later. After emptying the van fridge and freezer, it was time for mornos. The the rest of the morning was spent washing and emptying the rest of the stuff from the van.

After lunch, Wendy went into Hervy Bay to attend a funeral - a nephew of her Australian dad, whilst Greg washed both the van and vehicle.

We had a relaxing nine nights away at Bargara and Burrum Heads.

Day 9: Thu 25 Feb - Burrum Heads

Greg was up super early to ride to Burrum Town to meet our fellow riders who do the Burrum Heads on a Thursday.

Whilst Wendy worked Greg rested with his book.

Had afternoon tea with Glenda and Arthur then pre-dinner drinks with Ian and Carol, and dinner with Jo and Kev, Gunther, Mark and Sue, and Geoff at the pub.