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.