3.  QUEENSLAND, WE HAVE ARRIVED.
GO THE MIGHTY MAROONS (We are blending in!!)
 .

Hebel was the first settlement as we crossed into Queensland. It consists of a pub and a general store. The pub was very quaint, hours could have been spent simply exploring the bar area.
Pubs were an essential part of life in the early days, so many as changeover stations for stage  coaches. Horses out the back and front, all others in the bar or the modest accommodation.

Hebel Pub. Queenslanders spelling of beer is XXXX

The Commonweath Games on TV bring the pub up to date

We settled into a late afternoon bush camp north of St George. Great serenity, however only one kangaroo to be seen. The stars at night were in their millions.

Early morning view from our kitchen/ dining room/ bedroom/ family room and billiard room

Non slip tread 

Bare feet around camp is not an option. Thick thongs essential.

Leaving St George bush camp. (Dry weather camp only)

Approaching storm/ mobile car and caravan wash

All roads lead to Roma!! Hence here we are, or least we were. Having heard about aqua ducts and Roma, we went searching and managed to photograph the following. You would never guess they are apparently centuries old.

Aqua ducks near Roma (somewhat different to the Italian scenes)

Roma is also famous for it's Bottle Trees. They are scattered all over the town.

Bottle tree. When it matures it will be a Flagon tree.

Taking heed of the old saying, When in Roma, do as the Romans do, we kept on travelling and conquering. Heading due west firstly to the small town of Muckadilla.
The pub, the only establishment in the village had the following pieces of furniture outside facing the road. The Australian sense of humour is so much appreciated.

On then to mid-western town of Mitchell, where Major Mitchell passed through on his 4th exploration in an attempt to find a route from Sydney to Darwin.  Incidentally, he surveyed the convict built Great North Road from Sydney to Newcastle, the early version of the  M1/F3 freeway. (The convicts didn't have the word free in their vocabulary).
The town of Mitchell was named after Major Mitchell.  Major Mitchell was named after the Cockatoo found in the area.
We read that from the top of a hill (there are not many in the area), Major Mitchell stated that trees extended as far as his telescope would allow him to see. What a contrast to today with the land virtually stripped bare of trees.

Contrast of landscape from Major Mitchell's comment about trees as far as he could see

A long way to walk if the school bus in missed

The town of Mitchell has The Great Artesian Spa. Whereas Lightning Ridge Artesian Baths were built years ago, and has not had a face lift since, the Mitchell Baths were a masterpiece of modern and elegant design, cleanliness and welcoming feel.

An outback oasis

Football required to be forced into pipe. Then stand back and watch the drama unfold. 

39C in canon pool, 27C in cool down pool

Our free camp (donation) at Neil Turner Weir was very relaxing, sharing with several other vans and campers.

Weir d view. More lawn mowing required

Legendary Neil Turner Weir and firewood collector

The unique Queensland architecture is always so much appreciated. Whether houses, pubs, or schools, they all stand out as brilliant and welcoming.

Another pub, but what architecture

Art Deco or Art Gallery?

Department store

Do you want socks or bullets with your purchase?

We mix our night stops between caravan parks and free camps. Caravan parks provide electricity, water and more security for leaving the van when out exploring.
Free camps give far more peace and isolation, making us feel more part of the great outdoors. The night show of the stars when away from all electric lights is beyond belief.  Many of the camps have donation boxes for the overnighters, however it always disgusts us as to how many folk drive out without apparently giving a donation.  Hopefully they are supporting the local community by stocking up, fueling up and buying a cupper before moving on. 
Even when camped under trees, our solar panels ensure we don't run out of power despite lighting, cooling fans, exhaust fans and TV (watching the Commonwealth Games).
We cannot understand why Governments don't put more emphasis on all homes being off the grid in the same way.  The technology appears to be there.  It just needs fine tuning.

Early wind farm

Evidently also solar powered

A final legacy of the cat's eyes in thongs has been to puncture our tandem.  We have been more fortunate than some with our single puncture, as one fellow rider had 38 individual punctures in one tube of his pushbike.  We also need a new tube now as the tube around valve has called it a day. After 20 years, it was just a little tyred.
Hence the inflation is not as stable as it has been over recent years.

Deflating news

Tyre some repairs

Our journeying has us still heading west. This allows us to sleep in without guilt. (Sunrise for Newcastle NSW for 18th April is 6.16am; for Charleville Qld 6.32am.

We can see why so many people live in Western Australia!

Until next installment. Happy travelling. 

Cheers. Don and Carrol.