Well Covid-19 has done it again. While at Cunnamulla, still in Queensland, we heard that South Australia had closed its borders to most of Australia, including Queensland. This means that we will have to self quarantine for 14 days on return to Adelaide. We had to wait a full week in Cunnamulla until our permit arrived by email.

This was not a major problem because our 7-day camp site beside the Warrego River was very pleasant and the weather, although cold at night, was very kind to us.

From Cunnamulla we drove quickly through New South Wales; 260 kms to Bourke, 420 kms to Wilcannia, then 480 kms to Peterborough in SA. We had to go through a COVID checkpoint just out of Peterborough where we were reminded that we had to self quarantine at home and were told that, as expected, we could stay overnight at Peterborough and must return to Adelaide the next day. We could not stop at a park near Adelaide to clean the caravan, as we usually do. No problem; we are so lucky compared to people elsewhere in Australia and all over the world.

During this holiday we didn’t get as for as we would have liked and we didn’t stay away for as long as we had wanted – but we still had a good time, saw our friends in Qld and generally enjoyed caravanning life.

As usual, here are a few statistics for those who are interested (approximate figures). During the 57-day trip we travelled 7,800 km, being 6,900 km with the caravan and 900 km on side trips. We relocated the caravan on 26 days at an average of 265 km each time we moved; the van did 300 km or more on 12 days and less than 100 km on 4 days. We used 1,700L of diesel at an average cost of $1.43, making a total of $2,400, or $41 per day. Average fuel consumption was 22 L/100 (10% more than usual because we did fewer side trips without the caravan).

We arrived home yesterday and are now relaxing at home on day 2 of our lockdown. Everyone keep healthy and safe.

Ted and Jo

One good thing about caravanning is that we can be flexible. Before leaving Bowen we decided to go back toward Adelaide rather than continue northward. My shoulder is not recovering well from my injury last March so, after consulting my physiotherapist it will be best to consult the surgeon to have an operation as soon as possible.

Revisiting our friends in Airlie Beach and Mackay for a night each was a good way to start the return trip. By now we knew that COVID-19 was causing cross border trouble again but we could travel to SA through NSW as long as, in NSW, we stop only for essential needs, e.g. fuel, food, overnight rests. No problems while we are in Qld.

For several years Theresa Creek Dam, near Clermont, has been on our list of places to stay. It’s a very large camp site on the bank of a large dam, with room for 100 vans or more. After trying unsuccessfully for a secluded side we parked amongst the crowd. There was plenty of room but generators were a bit annoying during the day. Even so, it was a nice place to stay.

Next stop was Bedford Weir, near Blackwater where we were to spend a couple of days with friends who live their. It was good to see M and K and their two young girls. By now we were right in the middle of serious coal mining country. Mines are everywhere, making interesting scenery during the day and spectacular light displays at night. Bedford Weir provides water skiing and fishing opportunities for locals and a quiet free camp for travellers passing through.

Rain fell for several hours as we drove to Jericho, where we had planned to stop for a couple of nights if we could get a powered site, to do some laundry. Instead we stayed only one night because our site at the Showgrounds was not particularly inspiring. Besides we knew that friends from Renmark were getting close in their caravan so we decided to head for Augathella to meet them. It was great to catch up with them for a couple of evenings of fireside chatter, even if the temperature got down to 0 degrees at night.

At Augathella we lodged our online application for entry into SA, then headed off to Cunnamulla. There were hundreds of vans on the road, either heading for the Big Red Bash at Birdsville, or just trying to escape from the cold and COVID-19 in the south. By now most Australian states had closed their borders and we knew that once we arrived in SA we would have to self-isolate for 2 weeks and get 3 Covid-19 tests. It also means putting off visiting the surgeon until the self-isolation period is over.

We managed to get a non-powered site at the Warrego Riverside Park just outside if Cunnamulla, with about 100 other vans, trailers and tents. We were camped on grey clay soil, recently cleared to allow for the influx of visitors. Local businesses told us they have never had so many visitors and getting fuel involved waiting on long queues. The bakery even ran out of coffee! The weather forecast for the second day was for rain over 24 hours so we changed sites as soon as soon as one on red gravel became available when people moved on. We got a nice site right beside the river, coincidently the same site we had stayed on a few years ago. The rain did come and people on the grey clay found it to be very muddy.

As this update goes to post we still have not had approval to enter SA so we have decided to stay in Cunnamulla rather that become stranded somewhere in NSW. At this stage we plan on arriving home on about 8 July – but anything could happen.

Meanwhile, keep safe and healthy everyone.