JERICHO Qld

  An overnight stop at Redbank Park near the tiny hamlet of Jericho turned into two since the quiet and peaceful setting made it hard to leave. We have also heard that another "Grey Nomad" member, Colleen, will be joining us for the trip to Darwin and the west, it will take her a couple of days to reach us so we need to slow up until then.
 Jericho tries hard to be noticed; with only a General Store and a Cafe they needed something of interest so they created the "World's smallest Drive-in Theatre" with room for only 36 cars, probably the total number of cars in town. Just in case this wasn't enough the community has also constructed the "Crystal Trumpeters" monument in the centre of the main ( and only) street to celebrate the biblical tale describing the fall of the walls of Jericho. I am sure that the townsfolk think it is very impressive and admire it as the routinely pass by each day.

The Jericho Drive-in

The Crystal Trumpeters

EMERALD Qld - THE CONVOY IS FORMED

 
The group is now complete with the arrival of Mel ( and Molly, the dog) who has at last caught up with us here in Emerald after a 4 day 1500 km drive from Canberra. We are staying together at the Botanical Gardens beside the Nogoa River before setting off on the next leg west to Winton via Jericho, Barcaldine and Longreach.
  Emerald can be described as a large town, at least for these parts of Qld, having a population of almost 13,000 (2011). This is our last chance to shop in the major chain stores until we reach Mt Isa, more than 800 km away, so all descended on Woolworths and Coles, the Camping and Auto stores and purchased fuel while the price was reasonable.
  The area, was first explored by Ludwig Leichardt and the town was established in 1879 as a base for the building of the western railway from Rockhampton. It is named after 'Emerald Downs Hill', a lush emerald green hill located just north of town. Emerald is now considered the hub for the Central Highlands and the gateway to the Sapphire: the largest, and one of the richest sapphire fields in the southern hemisphere. The construction of Fairbairn Dam in 1972 and the subsequent Emerald Irrigation Scheme allowed for the significant development and expansion of agriculture across the region. The dam construction, and its associated Lake Maraboon, also initiated large-scale coal mining and export within the Bowen Basin that commenced in 1977. Once famous for its reputation as a major sunflower producer, today, Cotton is grown in the area, and is processed at the Yamala Cotton Gin, while other agricultural activities include grape, citrus and grain growing.The citrus industry was severely affected by a citrus canker outbreak from 2004 until 2009. More than half a million citrus trees located around Emerald had to be destroyed. From what I saw I don't think that the orchards have recovered completely as yet.
  Back to tonight's Camp, the Botanical Gardens provide a pleasant oasis to prepare for the hot,dry and dusty trip that is before us.Sitting under the trees beside the river, I contently take delight in watching the bird-life in the cool afternoon breeze.
(Click on a photo to enlarge)

Emerald Botanical Gardens

BEDFORD WEIR - BLACKWATER Qld

  I joined Jules, Billeeeeeee and Marj in leaving our friends at Wuruma Dam to begin the long trek to Darwin. It is too early to travel to the NT as the wet season, heat and humidity would still make things too uncomfortable. So, we will slowly make our way west stopping here and there for a few days at a time until early to mid May when the weather should improve and be  more comfortable for Free Camping. Besides this we are still waiting for Mel, another Grey Nomad member that travelled with us down the "centre" last year, to catch up.
 We took a route from Wuruma that led Nth through Boulia, thereafter stopping in Duaringa Rest Area for the night before passing through Ding and then on to Blackwater and finally another Bedford Weir about 25km to the north.
  The campsite at the weir is of medium size with good facilities that included a welcome hot shower. A donation is requested and although there is a 7 day time limit, the Caretaker didn't seem to care that we stayed 10 days. The water of the weir is accessible and is popular with skiers and fishermen who catch Barramundi and Saratoga along with various other species. The bird-life is a real highlight providing entertainment around our campsite on most afternoons.
(Click on a Photo to enlarge)

The Bird-Life of Bedford Weir

  Bedford Weir also has some history with a double murder committed there in 1867 and the drowning of a 5 year old girl in 2008. The following extract from the Rockhampton Press serves as a description of the matter:
 

  "In November 1867 an escort left Rockhampton by horse back comprising of three men, Constable John Francis Power (25yrs), Patrick William Cahill (27) and Gold Commissioner Thomas John Griffin (about 35yrs). They were transporting 4000 pounds to Clermont.
Griffin had offered to join the escort on the pretence that the constables were young and inexperienced and they would need his assistance.  Griffin’s real plan was to ride as far as Mackenzie River, steal the money and make it look like bush rangers had attacked the escort.
In the early morning of November 5 the party reached the banks of the Mackenzie River crossing and set up camp near a spot where Bedford Weir is today. Throughout the day and early evening the two constables and Griffin frequented a nearby bush pub. It was alleged during Griffin’s trial that he poisoned the two officer’s drinks that night and in the early hours of November 6 he shot them. Griffin then rode back to Rockhampton burying most of the 4000 pounds on the journey.
The bodies of the two officers were later found in a decomposed state. Native police wrapped the bodies in paperbark and buried them on the banks of the Mackenzie River. It was not long before Griffin was suspected of the murders. The suspicion was revealed when Griffin passed bank notes in Rockhampton and the serial numbers matched those stolen from the gold escort. The bodies of the two officers were later relocated for burial at the Rockhampton Cemetery. Griffin was sentenced and hung at the Rockhampton jail on 1st June 1868."

 
 A little girl, Nelani Koefer was just 5-years-old in 2008 when she was swept from her mother's arms after a weir 200km west of Rockhampton collapsed, releasing 6000 megalitres of water. where the young girl was swimming as her family picnicked nearby. How sad