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