We spent a day in Brisbane pretending to be tourists, and had a lovely time going up and down the river in the city cats, stopped off at New Farm Park (the roses were amazing), then back to Southbank.  We even managed to wander through the museum.  It is no where near as big as it used to be....... 

Well, our house sit is nearly done, so we will be hitting the road again very soon.  At this stage, we are heading south to one of our favorite spots, and hopefully catch some fish!!!!

Brisvegas

Southbank

More Brisbane

Eagle Street Pier

Story Bridge

New Farm Park

Southbank

Beautiful spot to sit and watch the world go by.....

The weather is starting to warm up a bit during the day, so we headed to Lake Maraboon.  Got a few redclaw, not as many as others, but still, got a few. 

We then went onto Emerald, Sapphire and Rubyvale where we went on a heritage mine tour and learnt all about sapphires and about the area.  We tried our luck at searching for gems, had a bit of luck with getting a few worthwhile stones and lots of little ones that look pretty. 

We are now at Lake Awoonga, heading to Baffle Creek where the fishing might be better.  This fresh water fishing has not been very successful so far.  Hopefully the salt and sand will make it better!!

Loved staying amongst the old crap!!!  Biloela

Water tower, Moura

Free camp, Dawson River, Moura

Dawson River, Moura

Lake Maraboon

What better time to work on the spillway - no water!!!

Nearly sunset, Lake Maraboon

Sunset, Lake Maraboon

Micro bats in sapphire mine - very cute

Lake Awoonga

Lake Awoonga spillway

We have hit the road again and we are heading to Emerald and the gem fields. The weather is beautiful, bit chilly in the mornings but fabulous during the day.  We are town hopping at the moment, spending a bit of time in each little town having a good look around. 

The country is so dry at the moment, really feel for the farmers.  They are doing it tough......

We visited the RM Williams training centre in Eidsvold and stayed for the 'light show'.  They projected a video onto some sculptures telling the story of the settlement of the area. Really worth a look.

Bjekle Peterson Dam (what's left of it!!!!)

Very very dry..........

Light show at Edisvold

more light show

Monto sunset

Callide Lake (puddle???)

A wall of old crap!!!!!

We landed in Melbourne and started heading home via the Newell Highway.  Unfortunately, Easter and local town shows meant that we travelled more each day than we intended, however, that meant we got home (Robert's place) quicker than originally intended.

We are now spending some time catching up with family and friends before we head off again.  This time we are only doing shorter trips and a bit of time at home inbetween.  We have important grandparenting to do!!!!!

Pyengarna Showgrounds

One of the many rest stops on the Newell

Free camp Bellarta

Bellarta (for you Donna Ann)

Free Camp at Forbes

Forbes

View from the van Forbes

Camped next to the train line - luckily only one train!!!

We went for a drive to the Great Lake and it was beautiful.  Very devastating to see the aftermath of the bush fires, but still, the lake was beautiful.

We then went for a drive to Ben Lomond Mountain.  The drive there was lovely with lots of scenery places to stop at.  Once at the mountain we proceeded up Jacobs Ladder.  The photo says it all, no more need be said on the subject........

We did stumble across a KTM film crew taking shots of a new bike (the only one in Australia) which was pretty interesting.  They certainly picked a magnificent spot to do their filming!!

While we waited for the Super Cars weekend, we were lucky enough to spend some time with old friends, and new ones.  Many enjoyable happy hours.  Thanks guys xoxoxox. We even enjoyed some culture together with a trip to the Launceston Museum and railway workshops!!!!!

Then, we spent three days watching the races.  It was very exciting being track side and able to see the whole track from the car!!!  (or in front of the car when the windchill factor was not -50)

We are now at Port Sorell, getting some fishing in while we wait for the sail back to the big island!!

Quamby Corner 

Quamby Corner

Lookout on the way to the Great Lake - amazing.....

The Great Lake

Bush fire aftermath

On the way up Ben Lomond

View from the top of Ben Lomond

Jacobs ladder - no words...........

Another view from the top

New KTM bike

On the way back from Ben Lomond

Launceston Museum

unfortunately, behind glass.........

Just one of the many at the railway workshops

vroom vroom

not so much vroom vroom

the hairpin turn....