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Nindigully Pub to Cunnamulla

NINDIGULLY PUB

We stayed at Nindigully Pub at the end of our last trip. The epitome of the great Aussie Pub so we were keen to stay there again. The free camp area is huge and plenty of dusty spots under gum trees situated on the Moonie River.  Standing guard over the freeloaders is the very rustic Pub. Crooked planking along the verandah, old timber bar, formal dining room full of history. Love it. Just a pity that now the barmaids (sorry staff) were Irish backpackers who lacked any enthusiasm or welcome. One couldn't even add 7 + 6 and didn't know what entree was. Hhhmmmmmm!!! Nevertheless we settled in for an ale or two until we got sick of the techno night club music.......really.......out here?



A couple of peaceful lazy days reading, walking along the river and generally doing nothing! 


Nindigilly Pub is Queensland’s oldest hotel located in its original condition and position on the banks of the Moonie River. The license was issued in 1864 after operating as shearer’s accommodation for the Nindigully Station.




The Moonie River at Nindigully


This was barely a puddle last time we were here


Cuppa anyone?


The original bridge linking the two original homesteads back in the 1800's. Also the link to St. George for Cobb and Co.


ST. GEORGE

Up and off early on Sunday morning. Easy hour drive to have a picnic brekky on the banks of the Balonne River. Just as well we had our own supplies. Nothing open in St. George on a Sunday!!!  


The Balonne River is also part of the Murray-Darling Basin system, a short and important part of the inland river group of


Holidaymakers 

We did establish from chatting to a lovely local lady that the Riversands Winery on the edge of town would be open for coffe and Devonshire tea! Yum....never too early to visit a winery.  Beautiful and peaceful. Bit early for a tasting though.


Riversands Winery for brunch...how very civilised!


CUNNAMULLA

Not so dry and dusty on the drive into Cunnamulla. They have had a bit of rain out here and it was strange to see green countryside. Also plenty of emus and wild goats.





Free camp behind the Hotel Cunnamulla. Very peaceful shady grassy area all to ourselves. And to boot, fair dinkum Auzzie publicans Bob and Dell. Happy days. The plan was to have two days here. Dez got on top of a couple of odd jobs that he didn't get time to do before heading off. All good.......until packing up in the morning. Got the lead from the fridge to the battery jammed and shorted the fridge. Smoke, not good electrical smell, but luckily Dez was right beside it and managed to pull the connection before the whole lot went up in flames ! Bugga to say the least.


Dezzi replacing the cord to the fridge...that ain't gunna fix it!


Oh dear!

On the up side, an electrical store next to the Pub who could fix it after ordering the part from Evakool. The bloody marvellous Bob let us put the fridge in the Pub cool room for a couple of days while we waited. An extended stay in Cunnamulla under the shady gum trees at the back of the Pub.


Nothing else for it but to relax. Fabulous spot.

In the meantime we explored Cunnamulla.  Yet another outback town that is struggling to survive. At least half the shops are closed. Basically only the essentials trading. The town relies on the grey nomad travellers April to October. 


First stop the local museum information centre. An interesting collection of history and memorabilia.


Household chores anyone?


Cotton growing was a huge industry here many years ago.



Now I feel old. I used to work one of these at the Townsville Uni in 1979! It was great fun!

Next stop the Cunnamulla Bushlands Centre. A man-made project displaying various landscapes of the outback. 



The old Cunnamulla Railway Station. It is one of only three stations in Queensland that are covered. It is sadly neglected. Used no more.


Station house.



Covered rail line.

Ended with a very hot walk along the Warrego River, which Cunnamulla is situated on.


Warrego River



The harsh landscape. Considered very green at the moment due to fairly recent good rain.

Got to catch up on some chores!



Home Sweet Home for 5 days

The Cunnamulla Fella

Out the back
So after waiting two days the part arrived, sparky installed, yessss!!!!!!  All good to go. Happy days. On the road again! 

Next stop.....opal fossicking!


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