Lake Maraboon, Emerald

Tuesday, 19 June 2012


Before starting to pack up, we were treated to a few pied currawong drinking from the dripping tap beside our caravan. They were quite happy for me to get relatively close before moving away.

This morning we made sure that everything in the caravan was very securely stowed before tackling the 12 kms of very rough, gravel road. Once again, we negotiated the creek crossings without mishap and although we seemed to drive a little slower, the trip out seemed to be much quicker than the trip in. The caravan contents rode much better as well. The early morning light through the trees and on the dewy grass was spectacular, it was such a joy to be driving this morning. We were treated to a flock of bustards in a paddock just before we reached the highway – the first time we have seen so many together.

After reaching the highway, we headed north towards Rolleston, along with nearly every caravan and truck in Queensland (or so it seemed). A real, live dingo did cross the road slowly in front of us just before Rolleston. Then it was westwards towards Springsure, with the spectacular rocky mountains and outcrops in the near distance. We had a quick stop for fuel at Springsure before travelling to the Lake Maraboon Caravan Park just south of Emerald. This park is on the banks of Lake Maraboon (Fairbairn Dam) and our hosts, Andy and Geoff, are just delightful. Geoff directed us onto our site and filled us in on all the camp activities. Meals on Wheels operates Tuesday and Wednesday nights (meals delivered to site), a seafood buffet on Thursday, dinner in the restaurant at the weekends, entertainment in the afternoons and evenings, etc, etc. All proceeds from the entertainment go to Angel Flight, not the performer.

We had a stroll along the lake foreshore this afternoon and talked to a couple of fishermen. One was line fishing and hadn’t caught anything, the other had a boat and went red claw (type of fresh water crayfish) fishing and had caught over a hundred that morning. If he had known we were going to be there this afternoon, he would have saved us a couple … There is an abundance of birdlife in the area and we are now seeing tropical birds (only a few miles south of the tropics here). As we were walking along the lake, a hawk high up in a gum tree dropped a half eaten fish virtually at our feet!

After three nights without telephone, internet or television, we suddenly feel we are back in civilization and will have three nights here.