The Journey continues..

Change of plans today.  We were meant to head to Winton and Longreach but after doing a bit of research into the cost of going to the tourist traps there we have decided to give it a miss this time and go to Emerald and Barcaldine instead.  We leave Charters Towers about 9am and drive down to Clermont about 110kms north of Emerald for the first day.  The drive down was uneventful, travelling mainly over undulating cattle country.  The road was two lane except for a small stretch where the road works are repairing flood damage from earlier this year.   We arrived at Clermont around 2pm and booked into the only CP in town, the Clermont Caravan Park.  The area around Clermont is mainly open cut coal mining, cotton growing and beef production.  Weather has been good to us so far this week.  Nice and sunny during the day and mild overnight.  However, this will change tonight, the further we travel south the colder it is getting.  Tonight Clermont is expecting a minimum of 3c. Last night it went down to 1c.  Time to switch on the heater and electric blanket.  Hope Geraldine has a couple of hot flushes tonight!!

Fuel Prices:    Clermont  LPG=$0.939 

Clermont Railway Station.	The 'Local pub' in Clermont.
A large scoop from the open cut coal mining operation.

14 Aug 08  Day 75

We arrived in Emerald about 10:30am yesterday after driving the 110kms from Clermont.   Our first concern was to find the Information Centre for some info on the town and district.  Emerald was named after 'emerald downs hill' a lush green hill just north of town.   It was established in 1879 as a base for the building of the western railway. It is now considered the 'Hub' of the Central Highlands.  The construction of the Fairbairn Dam  in 1972 initiated large scale coal mining in the Bowen basin in 1977.

Emerald was also famous for sunflower production at some stage, but nowadays is home of the largest 'Van Gogh' sunflower painting set on an easel in Morton Park. Built of steel it is 25m high.

Lake Maraboon is the result of the Fairbairn Dam and as well as being a water supply for the region is also a recreational area for fishing, boating, swimming, camping and is famous for the Barramundi and red claw crayfish.  The area is also a flora and fauna sanctuary.  At Lake Maraboon CP we encountered very friendly lorikeets and other native birds that have probably been fed by patrons over the years and will greet you as you set up your caravan.  Geraldine had a lorikeet on her back and I found one in the van  whilst unpacking.  Within a short time we had 5 or 6 birds sitting on the furniture and given a bit of fruit would literally eat out of your hands.

We are staying till Saturday morning and then heading west to Barcaldine.

Fuel Prices:  Emerald  LPG=$0.849    ULP=$1.529

Lorikeets greet you on arrival at the  Caravan Park, Lake Maraboon.	Feeding the lorikeets.
The 'Van Gogh' Sunflower painting in Emerald.	Close-up of the 25m high easel and painting.
Part of the Fairbairn Dam overflow.	Part of Lake Maraboon.

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