Day 101: Thu 4 Aug - Blackall to Augathella

Day 101: Thu 4 Aug - Blackall to Augathella

Towed 220km

14 to 27 Deg.  Strong gusting winds started blowing just after midnight, then thankfully it cleared by daybreak. We set off at 8:00am from Blackall after a very relaxing stay, heading south along the Landsborough Highway to Augathella. The road was a little bumpy in places, but mostly in good condition. There were a lot of road trains and many more caravans on the road today, but all were well behaved and patient.  After 100km, we stopped in the very small town of Tambo for a stroll around and our morning coffee which we had in a nice green grassy park. Tambo is a very neat and tidy town with the main attraction being the Tambo Teddy shop. The teddy's are very nice, but we weren't feeling generous enough  to part with the money they were asking for. A lot of other local businesses also seem to promote the famous Tambo Teddy business with Teddy murals on the walls of their shopfronts. We left feeling that it may be a place to stop for an overnighter on a future trip through the area so we were happy not to spend too much time here. Onwards we continued to Augathella, arriving a little after 12:00pm. Our stay is another off -grid at the Warrego River Picnic Campground, a very affordable $5 donation per night. With a huge amount of open flat space, drinking water taps spread through the camp area, a new a toilet block with free hot showers, and its close proximity to town including hotel, coffee shop, butcher and supermarket, its a fantastic campground. There are plenty of sites available here, but it was already about a third full when we arrived at midday, and by 2:00pm it was filling quickly.  We scored a nice level spot at the entrance to the park directly opposite the hotel - our venue for dinner tonight. AFter settling in, Noel spent the afternoon walking around, while I went for a ride to checkout the town and its surrounds, and a few local attractions. The painted water tower, the main attraction is a very good bit of artwork, with both sides painted in different themes. Back at the van, after a few chores and a nice hot shower, we headed across road to the hotel for dinner which was tasty and plentiful, but nothing more than you might expect from a small country town. Nevertheless it was satisfying. We also enjoyed the company of two other travelling couples staying at the campground - one from Warrnambool and the other from Lake Macquarie. Tomorrow, we continue our journey south for a two night stay at Cunnamulla. 

Departing our campground in Blackall - a nice spot for a couple of nights. We enjoyed our stay 

Farewell Blackall

Homemade brew in the park at Tambo - a lovely tidy little town.

Main road through Tambo 


Tambo Teddies is the main attraction in town, but we resisted spending $130 on the cheapest option available. Most were about $170 with some even around $370



This Leaseland Chevrolet Tip Truck was the first purchased by the Tambo Shire Council to replace the horse drawn rubbish cart.

Original Furphy Water Cart in Tambo


Suspect this water tank is no longer used as a water tank - it could do with a hair cut


Levee bank along the Warrego River in Augathella  - our camp ground on the right

Levee bank along the Warrego River - looking in the opposite direction - camp ground on the Left

Our site for the night in Augathella - dinner was across the road in the hotel 


Mural on the old Buchans Garage

Mural on the old Buchans Garage



Painted Water Tower in Augathella

Painted Water Tower in Augathella - Opposite Side to above


Painted Water Tower in Augathella

Painted Water Tower in Augathella



Painted Water Tower - opposite side

Painted Water Tower - opposite side

Augathella Golf Course - a bit like Royal Canberra maybe? (...not..)

The mural commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1956 film "Smiley" and its connection to Augathella. 


Love the small town country butchers - fabulous meat, but i had steak last night, so today it was wild caught barramundi fillet 


A very dry Warrego river - we are parked on the other side of the levee bank on the left

A very dry Warrego river



Giant Meat Ant Sculpture


Giant Meat Ant Sculpture

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