We refuelled last evening at IOR Roma, our first use of our new “FuelCharge” app which works a treat. So many traditional petrol stations can be a tight fit when towing a van but these automatic truck fuel stops offer all the room we need. We hit the road just on 9am figuring we will have a 6 hour plus drive to cover the 520klm distance and include a lunch stop along the way.
We have done the bulk of this travel several times as it takes us past one of our favourite destinations, Carnarvon Gorge NP, an absolute haven for bush walking and camping. We pass through Injune first up, then we climb the outliers of the Carnarvon Ranges before dropping to cross the wide valley which leads to Carnarvon Gorge.
After a few hours northward we bypass Rolleston, normally a stop for a coffee on previous journeys, and onto Springsure where we stop at a park for an Evi made wrap and a cider. The day slides by and with a half hour break to refresh we are once more on the road, now to Emerald. Sp far the road condition is excellent and we make good time arriving in Emerald at about 2pm, but being Saturday most shops are closed now except for the supermarkets.
It is only about 110klm to Clermont, however, there is about 30klm of very poor road surface bent out of shape by the heavy road-trains and mining trucks, the rest of the road is just average. This leg takes us about an hour and three quarters as we slow down for some sections into the 60-80kph range. That said, time is not our enemy and we enjoy the drive.
Clermont is a neat town in a rolling landscape alonside a large freshwater billabong, originally built around gold and cattle in the 1860’s, it is now in the coal heartland alongside cattle properties and seemingly quite prosperous. The caravan park is neat and well maintained, after a quick setup of camp we take a short drive around town for a few photos, back for dinner and an early night!
Australia. Dust, Fire, Flood & Pandemic 