Ravenshoe

Ravenshoe is a lovely small country town and a delight to visit but because it is the highest Queensland town the climate is vastly different to the nearby coastal areas. The nights we experienced were decidedly cool. Needed all our available blankets. I even had to buy a beanie to wear to bed with my thick socks. The days though were very pleasant. It was Origin 2 during our stay in Ravenshoe, Jude and I went to The Club Hotel for dinner and to watch the game on a big screen TV with a crowd of cheering 'Locals'. The night was terrific, rolled out of The Club at about 11:00 PM for the short downhill walk back to camp.

We had just set up camp in The Ravenshoe Railway Camping Ground at $8 per night with hot showers, when a Charity "Cairns to Karumba" Bike Ride entered town for the lunch break. There were about 150 Competitors all told plus support crews.

Our camp site at Ravenshoe with the refurbished steam train in the background. The train, that is maintained and operated by local volunteers, has not been running for some time due to track issues. The track has now been refurbished and once it has been certified safe the train will resume running. July 7th was the official re-opening target date.

Goolawah Community

The winter weather came in on us earlier than we anticipated, this forced us to abandon our planned journey up stream along the Murray River at Robinvale. We  will return to the 'Murray' at a later time when the season is more comfortable for travel. The decision was made to seek better weather on the eastern coast. With this in mind we planned a 5 day journey across NSW ending at the residence of our dear friends, Roger, Belinda and Glen, at Goolawah Community, arriving there on the 20th June.

We made one night stop-overs at Goolgowi Rest Area, Tommingley South Rest Area, Terramungamine Reserve and Bendemeer Rodeo Grounds. The last stop-over will be etched into our minds for some time as we woke to -4 deg C temperature. Had the gas heater going and stayed inside until about 9 AM. Then we had to get on with our travel.

Roger, Belinda and Glen allowed us to stay with them for 16 days. During this period we were able to experience life in the Community and also be of some limited help with the daily chores on the 'block'. In the final days of our stay at Goolawah Community many of the residents got together on a Wednesday night to watch Match 3 of National Rugby League "State of Origin" on a live TV broadcast. Queensland (The Maroons) played this series decider match against NSW (The Blues). Glen, Judy and I were the only Maroons supporters in a den of Blues supporters. Fortunately the Maroons won the match and the Series, for the seventh year in succession. We couldn't gloat to the Goolawah Blues supporters as they vacated the TV room at match end.