Cunnamulla to Quilpie QLD

Today was a bit of a driving day.. starting with 180km from Bollon to Cunnamulla. 

Cunnamulla originated as a settlement in the 1860’s. As we drove in it felt like an oasis due to the rich green colours. 

We parked outside the information centre and took a photo with the larger than life ‘Cunnamulla Fella’ immortalised in Slim Dusty’s song about the young lads working the land and coming into town where the pubs overflowed into the streets and they would squat on their swags. 

We unexpectedly got a call from someone Mark used to work with that happened to notice us as we drove past him along the road into town, so we called in at the caravan park they were staying at and spent a couple of hours catching up. We then drove 100km north towards Charleville, stopping at Wyandra for the night.

The township set on the banks of the Warrego River flourished after the railway line came through here from Charleville to Cunnamulla in 1897. Back then there were two butcher shops, a baker, a blacksmith, three stores, a bookmaker and two sawmills as well as a school. Now only the school still remains along with a pub and the post office come store and caravan park. 

On our route to Charleville we stopped to have a look at the Angellala Bridge Explosion Site… the photos tell the story. 

Charleville is the largest town in South West QLD, surrounded by rich pastoral land, it grew as an important transportation stopover. 

In 1943, 3500 US Army Air Force personnel were stationed here. Around the area are some ruins of buildings that were used.

We couldn’t help ourselves and got a photo on the big red seat.

We then read about the Steiger Rainmaker Guns.

Being Sunday, the shops that still exist, were closed. We filled up with fuel ($1.96 it will only get more expensive as we head west). Got some groceries (but needed to be careful not to have fresh fruit and veggies for the SA border crossing). Then as the bakery was open and it was lunch time, a pie (just ok). As we ate our pie we strolled around the block and saw the old QLD National Bank building built in 1888.

The Hotel Corones completed in 1929 by a Greek immigrant Harry Corones. It became a place to go to and played host to local and international society, including royalty.

We then hopped back in Buster for our 210km drive to Quilpie. 

About 50km before the town we stopped at a War memorial for a local soldier who was killed in action in Afghanistan, with 2 fellow comrades. Very moving and reflective.

Just before town we found a campsite on the banks of Bulloo River.