Saturday 6 August - Day 6
Emerald - Charters Towers

We spent an enjoyable two days at Lake Maraboon near Emerald. Although the campsite was on the Fairairn Dam, unfortunately there was no dam view from our campsite (or any of the campsites really.) Nevertheless it was a quiet location well away from any traffic noise.

Emerald railway station

Great sculpture at Emerald - made from machinery components.

The giant Van Goph's Sunflower painting in Emerald.

We cannot believe how many grey nomads there are! Our neighbour at Lake Maraboon was a lovely lady who became our "best friend" and told us her life story. A lovely lady ... but is this what we are going to become? Scary thought!

Fairbairn Dam

We drove out to the gemfields at Sapphire and Rubyvale. Much more civilised than when we went there in the 70's! However there were still sites that looked like what Merril remembers when they went fossicking back then - the old shanty's and creative house building. It was interesting to look around but we weren't tempted to do any digging and sieving - so no sapphires discovered.

Rubyvale shopping centre ... who would have guessed a cafe at the gemfields!

An interesting "hippie" home at Sapphire. (All the trees were wrapped in crochet and knitting.)

Today we drove north to Charters Towers through countryside which reminded Merril of her time at MiddleMount. (Not surprising seeing as it is close by.) Darryl was very impressed with the flowering wattles which put on a stunning show.

Machinery at the entry of Charters Towers

We have stayed tonight just outside of Charters Towers at Bivouac Junction. Now this campsite needs an entry all by itself! It is quite unique. Imagine a very old country campsite that probably hasn't had any money spent on it since establishment, run by two very friendly staff who are the extreme caricature of country folk! We will take some photos tomorrow and show you what we mean. Let us say - it is not Merril's ideal camping site - but Darryl is grinning from ear to ear!