Surat to Chinchilla Weir

Day 14 – 2023 Adventure

Surat to Chinchilla 197 km
Trip Total 2718 km

Accommodation:     Chinchilla Weir Campground
Our Rating:             10/10
Cost:                       Free                            
Campfires:              Yes 
Image Gallery:        Chinchilla
Travelling with:        Sue Murry, Steve & Mel Conlan

Camp Description
This campground allows camping in tents and is accessible to RVs, camper trailers, caravans, and big rigs. It offers dog-friendly amenities like toilets, swimming, and power hookups and has a 48-hour stay limit.

Trip Notes

As we were travelling towards Chinchilla Weir for our next stopover, we spent a night at the Fisherman Park campground which cost us $5. Although I heard some road trains passing by and their air brakes going off, the place was well-maintained and clean. I found it to be a tidy and pleasant location, and I would definitely stay there again if we were travelling in that direction.

Upon reaching Miles, a town we had to pass through, we stopped for lunch at the bakery and then visited the Miles Historical Centre. The centre offered a fascinating glimpse into the region's past and how the land was utilized. It had plenty of information and exhibits, making it possible for us to spend an entire day exploring and reading all the signs.

After leaving Miles, we continued our journey towards the east until we reached Chinchilla. We had to call the visitor's information centre to pay for our camping permit for the Weir and then headed just south of the town to the campgrounds. Although it sounded like a nice place, I wouldn't return there again. We stayed on a Friday night, and it seemed like a place where the local troublemakers from Chinchilla go to party. However, since it was our final night as a group, we still had a campfire to commemorate the end of our journey.

Wanted	From the Past	The Driver

Charlotte Plains Station to Surat

Day 13 – 2023 Adventure

Charlotte Plains to Surat 357 km
Trip Total 2521 km

Accommodation:     Fishermans Park Surat
Our Rating:             10/10
Cost:                       Donation Camp $5 pn                   
Campfires:              Yes 
Image Gallery:        Surat
Travelling with:        Sue Murry, Steve & Mel Conlan

 

Camp Description
The donation campground provides amenities such as toilets, drinking water and a dump point. It is also open to dogs. Whether you're travellingling in an RV, camper trailer, caravan, or big rig, you'll find it accessible. Camping in tents is allowed as well. Moreover, you can access the nearby town, shops, and services through the new Riverwalk pathway extension and bridge.

Trip Notes

We had an amazing time at the campsite and the Artesian Baths were a great addition to our trip. We decided to stay here last-minute after being disappointed with Bourke, where we only stayed for one night. We're grateful we stopped at Bourke because otherwise we may have missed out on this incredible place.

On our way back home, we needed a place to stop and rest for the night, but we didn't want to go back to Roma. I remembered passing Fisherman Park in Surat while we were headed south, so we looked up the campground and found out that it was a donation-based campsite charging $5.00 per person per night. We decided to make Surat our overnight stop. Since it was our last night together in a town with a pub, we planned to have our final group dinner of the trip here.

We continued our journey north on the Carnarvon Highway until we arrived at Surat, which was our next stop. After setting up camp, we explored Surat and visited the town's visitor information centre, which was filled with informative displays about the town's history. Later, we booked a group dinner at the New Royal Hotel, which was our final meal together. After dinner, we returned to the campsite for another campfire before calling it a night.

On our way east from Charlotte's Plains, we passed through St. George. I had promised a friend that I would visit the winery in St. George, but I didn't expect to leave with three bottles of wine. Most of the Queensland wines I've tasted don't compare to the wines from the south, but these were exceptional. If you're passing through St. George and enjoy a glass of red or white, I highly recommend stopping by for a taste test. You won't be disappointed.

Riverside Winery	Cobb & Co. Museum	Cobb & Co. Museum
Fisherman Park	Surat Town Hall	Cobb & Co. Museum

 

Dunlop Station to Charlotte Plains

Day 12 – 2023 Adventure

Dunlop Station to Charlotte Plains 416km
Trip Total 2164 km

Accommodation:     Charlotte Plains Station
Our Rating:             10/10
Cost:                       $40pn                         
Campfires:              Yes 
Image Gallery:        Charlotte PlainsStation
Travelling with:        Sue Murry, Steve & Mel Conlan

 

Camp Description

Charlotte Plains is a family-owned and operated sheep station and campground located near Cunnamulla, Queensland. Visitors can experience an authentic Australian outback lifestyle and gain insights into sheep station life through our Property Tours. We continue to run several thousand head of sheep, which we shear in our historic woolshed. Our campgrounds are also surrounded by a spectacular array of natural birdlife, making it a perfect spot for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.

Our Hot Artesian Baths are another popular attraction, offering naturally heated water for adults, kids, and families looking to warm up under the stars during the winter months.

Bourke to Dunlop Station

Day 10 – 2023 Adventure

Bourke to Dunlop Station Lowth  123km
Trip Total 1748 km

Accommodation:     Dunlop Station
Our Rating:             10/10
Cost:                       $20pn                         
Campfires:              Yes 
Image Gallery:        Dunlop Station
Travelling with:        Sue Murry, Steve & Mel Conlan

 Camp Description

 Dunlop Station provides unpowered campsites that are located along the picturesque Darling River. For those who prefer more comfortable accommodation, there are shearers' huts available for rent. Bookings are required to secure a spot. Dogs are welcome on the property, too.
 If you are interested in learning more about the property and its rich history, you can take a tour of the homestead, store, and shearing shed. Tours are offered at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Morning tea is served in the homestead before the tour begins. The property is closed for tours on Monday mornings.
 The tour costs $20 per person or $50 per family, which includes morning tea.

Dunlop Station, a historic property located on the Darling River, is a beautiful destination that offers a unique experience for visitors. The property, which was once a million acres, boasts a 45-stand shearing shed that was the first to have mechanical shears.

 

Lightning Ridge to Bourke

Day 9 – 2023 Adventure

Lightning Ridge to Bourke 300km
Trip Total 1625 km

Accommodation:     KidmansCamp Country Resort
Our Rating:             10/10
Cost:                       $44.00pn Power and water                 
Campfires:              No
Image Gallery -      Bourke
Travelling with-       Sue Murry, Steve & Mel Conlan

 Camp Description

 With 20 cabins on site, ranging from practical units with shared amenities to unique and stylish fully self-contained luxury chalets, you are sure to find an option that fits your needs. Kidman's Camp also offers over 90 powered caravan sites, set amongst the well-maintained gardens of the camp, with options for both large and small caravans.
 
The camp boasts impressive amenities, including accessible stalls, showers and toilets, laundry, and a kitchen. There are also 2 swimming pools, BBQ areas, short walks, and amazing big sky sunsets. Shady refuges and colourful gardens are dotted around the grounds, creating a serene setting in the iconic Outback.
 
In addition to the established sites, Kidman's Camp offers a large grassy camping area with full access to the amenities. The river and paddleboat Jandra are also available for guests to enjoy, and a complimentary bus pick-up and return service to one restaurant is provided.
 
Bookings are essential for the paddleboat, so make sure to plan accordingly. Come experience the beauty of the Outback and all that Kidman's Camp has to offer!

Kidman's Camp is not just a stopover on your journey, it is a destination in its own right! Located about 8km north of Bourke on the Mitchell Highway and situated on the banks of the mighty Darling River, this camp offers a range of accommodation options to suit every family and individual.