Quilpie QLD

After our morning coffee we noticed very dark clouds approaching, as we were parked on dirt containing clay that gets very slippery after a few drops of rain, we packed up and drove into town. 

Quilpie became well known for its Boulder opals that are considered beautiful as they are backed by ironstone bringing out the colours. We had a look at the opal altar in St.Finbarr’s  Church (had to look him up with such an unusual name, origin from Cork Ireland), made in 1976  by a local miner. 

We timed our visit to the heritage museum perfectly as the heavens opened up. We learnt how the town grew after the railway came to transport stock and wool out of the area. 

We found out more about the opal mines in the area.

We visited the small military museum and memorial park.

Later we had a look at the powerhouse used until 1987.

We picked a good moment in the weather to drive out to Baldy Top lookout. (We came back here to stay the night as the parking was on solid ground).

We spent the afternoon re thinking our plans as the Birdsville and Innaminka tracks have been effected by the rain resulting in road closures and restrictions. We don’t want to be caught out there. So we are now heading up to Longreach along what they call the Channel Country Way then start heading south again along the Matilda Way including the South West Loop. We will intersect a couple of towns we have been to but travelling via different roads. The adventure continues!