We were really surprised how much Toowoomba has grown.  New housing estates everywhere.  It really is a big place now.  The Showgrounds were pretty good, we even got a free Monster Truck show!!!!!

Malaney and Montville have some spectacular lookouts, and a lot of the houses have views to die for....... and the price tag to match.

Heading through the Scenic Rim is really pretty, very dry, but still really nice.  Found some really great places to stay and spent some time exploring the area.  Had a chance to catch up with friends (finally crossed paths!!!!!), make new friends and just rest a while.  

We visited all the dams in the area and although the dams are very low, they are still beautiful and have future camping potential. 

We are at Kalbar Showgrounds at the moment, and it is a great place to stop a while.  

Apparently to good stuff is at the back

Sunset at Kalbar

Overlooking the Fassifern Valley

Fassifern Valley

Lake Moogerah

Sunset at Boondooma Dam

One of the many lookouts around Malaney

Another lookout

Funniest part of the night.......

Is that Keven driving?????

Action!!!!

Jack, a seasoned traveller, taking it all in his stride.....

Roma is a really nice town.  We stayed at the local gun club which is well set up for travellers.  We got to watch the locals clay target shooting!!!  We also visited 'The Big Rig' and a few other local attractions.  One place I must mention is ACE Haberdashery!  WOW!!!!!  Floor to ceiling isles of every possible sewing need, then rows and rows of cookware/kitchenware.  Absolutely amazing.  It was great to catch up with some friends in Charleville, briefly!!!

 

Then, after stopping at a few little towns (amazing free camps!!!) we made it to Longreach.  We visited the QANTAS museum and I got to walk out on the wing of a 747.  Why you may ask, well, why not!!!  It was pretty chilly, windy and SCARY!!!!!  What made it worse was the guide telling us about the up to 8m movement in the wings and to prove his point - lets all jump up and down on the wing!!!!!!!!  It was quite an experience!!

We are now slowly making out way back to fulfil our babysitting duties (can't wait!!!).  Heading back to Roma tomorrow (yep, haby shopping!!!), and then onto Miles and Toowoomba.  

Large Bottle Tree, Charleville

'The Big Rig', Roma

Big Rig

Just one of the many quirky sculptures in the many quirky towns

Tree of Knowledge, Barcaldine - still none the wiser.......

The main street of Illfracombe - lots of old crap!!

QANTAS museum - contemplating the upcoming wing walk...

Yep - pee pants moment....

I don't think he trusts my flying skills.....

Yep, played with all the buttons!!!!

After spending an enjoyable time at Laurieton, we had to make a mad dash back over the border for all this insanity!!!

Finally, we are back on the road heading west to explore QLD a bit more.  We are heading towards Roma at the moment and hopefully with time permitting, we will make it out to Longreach.  We are in St George at the moment and tomorrow starts the 'new' west towns for us.  Lots of nice free camps and so far the weather has been pretty good.

Sacred Aboriginal site of water holes, between Goondiwindi and St George

One of the water holes, about 12 meters deep

Our free camp at the Nindigully Pub - nice spot!!

The famous pub.

The only rose in bloom at St George

Pretty river at St George

Random church - love the architecture!!

Wall mural, St George

Welcome to Warwick Sculpture

We haven't gotten very far - we are at Grafton!!

We spent some time in Lismore, catching up with old friends (we haven't been friends for long, they are just old).  Having said that, Marty does cook a mean steak........

A couple of bottles of wine later we continued our way south.  South Ballina was a nice spot, but due to the Australia day long weekend and the outrageous price hike, we didn't stay long.

After there we stopped at Fishing Haven near Yamba.  What an amazing spot.  Right on the banks of the Clarence River, Yamba 5min to the left, Maclean 5min to the right.  Wayne was getting one or two mud crabs each day he went out.  Not many fish due to the recent rain (before we got there) and then the weather closed in again and we had a few days of good rain.  So, once again the river had too much fresh water and the fishing was no good.  Beautiful spot still.....

We decided to move on to Grafton, as you do when there is a major rain event happening.  We managed to get a good spot at the showgrounds, I think it is the highest part of Grafton, so we should be good.

Seat hogger, Fishing Haven

Clarence River, Fishing Haven (looking right)

Fishing Haven

Nightly view

Clarence River, Fishing Haven, looking left

One of the many historical places, Grafton

Grafton