Mon 10th – Fri 14th May. Charleville-Charlotte Plains-Bourke

Monday 10th May

Drove to Cunnamulla, visited the Cunnamulla fella and was provided a detailed explanation of the Artesian basin and Yowah nuts, then a quick look at some silo art.

               

 

The plan was to stay at the Warrego Riverside Tourist Park on a grassy site next to the river, but we were advised it was in overflow mode thus no grassy sites available and obviously very busy.  There are a few things happening up this way over the next week, so we presume this is not normal ??

So we set off to stay at Charlotte Plains to again enjoy the Artesian bore 41 degree water for a couple of days.

  

 

 

Rissoles and mash for dinner followed by Robyen and James’ first taste of cooked marshmellows on the fire.

 

 

Tuesday 11th May

Relaxing day… Dip in the Artesian bore.

 

                                                       

 

               

 

 

 

Again a lovely sunset followed by a roast and the first Pineapple Upside down cake of the trip… hopefully not the last

 

              

 

 

Wednesday 12th May

Late departure for the drive to Bourke and into NSW we go…

 

Needing a caravan park to facilitate clean up, washing, etc. arrived just after lunch to get the last two remaining sites at the only caravan park in town to accept pets… not sure what we would have done otherwise.   A nice restaurant meal for dinner.

 

 

Thursday 13th May

Into town to visit the sites… Bourke’s tourist brochures certainly do a good job in making Bourke sound like a great place to visit.  Not sure we felt the same once we got here, had planned to stay three nights but reducing it to two…

Checked out Bourke Pier…

 

 

And the 1923 completely restored Crossley Stationary engine… arrived at the right time to see them start it up,  at least once the smoke cleared.

 

Click for 1923 Crossley Stationary Engine Running

 

Lunch at the Port O Bourke Hotel, followed by a drive to Mount Oxley about 40 km’s out of town to watch the sunset.

 

 

 

 

                                                              

Collage of the setting sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday 14th May

This morning sees Robyen and James (and Bailey) set off back home, slightly earlier than planned due concern over James’ mum.  We have had a great time with them for the past two weeks and enjoyed their company.  A taste of the outback.  Thanks for the memories.

 

As Robyen and James depart to the east, we depart Bourke via their silo art to the south heading for Cobar on our next phase of our adventure.

 

Arriving in Cobar, late afternoon camping at The Old Reservoir (thanks wikicamps), in time to watch … yes another sunset