Meet up with Jo in Queensland August 2026

My winter Queensland trip running late this year. It was raining in NSW so it didn't take long for me to quickly head north. My first night stop was Manilla, a donation camp not far from town. The North Star road to Boggabilla is not very good. Thru Goondiwindi across the border the weather was a little better.

Talwood, Westmar then Meandarra where I stopped for the night, the rain had cleared.

Next stop Condamine Caliguel Lagoon is only few kls before the town of Condamine on the Condamine Meandarra Rd heading toward the town of Miles. 

The lagoon is very big, big enough to have a boat ramp. 

Free power for about 6 vans with lots of non-powered spots to park up, there are toilets, a great camp kitchen.

I checked the area out then headed to Miles to shop at their really good Iga store. Found the free shower in the petrol truck stop, very convenient just filled up the tank first. 

The Mucca pub Muccadilla

Stayed the night beside the pub, contacted Jo to see for she wanted to meet up. 

She was further north than me at Augathella. we decided to meet at Mitchell

I arrived a few days earlier and enjoyed the free camp there

We came down the scary road from Mitchell to St George and had one night in the caravan park at St George

Next stop Nindigully pub

Lucky for us there was ute rally gathering that weekend.

Jo's enjoying her weekend of Horse racing 

And playing Tridominos, she is very good at winning.

Leaving there on Monday we headed toward Gooniwindi. We stopped at the Pub at Toobeah. My food was terrible, the nights camp cost is $15.00

I parted from Jo at Goondiwindi as she wanted to catch up with her relo's there. 

I traveled on to Texas to see the area for the first time and camped one night

Back to Gloucester with Jo 16 March 2026

 Jo and I returned to Gloucester, our favorite place to wind down, this time for 7 days. A very good time to relax and do nothing.

There was a sneaky storm that rolled through.

The river was looking a little better, flowing quicker than last time.

The local permanents have some quirky signs. 

About mid-week the weather cleared for clear nights and an open fire

I tried out my new home-made privacy screen for the rear of the van, held on by magnets, it worked really well, the breeze came thru and no one could look into the van. 

Tried out the Fiamma awning, is great for shading the door area, not great for keeping rain out.

Jo and I played her Tri dominos, she won again! and again! high scorer!

That's Joanne doing her thing. thanks Jo! for another lovely break away from home. Can't wait for our next trip together.

Ned Kelly tagalong 1st March 2026

 Let's get Away! 50 + Solo camping group Tag a Long organized by Velma Faulkner.

This unusual rock formation is on the right a bit before Dubbo. Had to stop for a photo since my last one is over 10years ago.

Arrived at Panai Ave rest area just north of Dubbo, to stay for the night, there was only one other camper parked up nearby. 

Perfect sun rise this morning.

Velma arrived around 11am at Panai Ave rest area at Tomingley and after our meet and greet and a cuppa we followed to Newell Hwy south. She was driving a holden station wagon and towing a trailer with her camping gear. 

While I was waiting for her, I just so happened to be National cleanup day. the local people did an excellent job picking up all the rubbish.

On the way to Parks, we met up at the Dish.

then continued on to Forbes to park up for the night. 

It was painful to me to watch how Velma unpacks her camping gear. An awning off the side of the car, privacy covers on the internal window, a shower room, table and chair, cooking items unpacked, all being taken out of individual packages, and then in the morning, watch her repack into those individual bags once again. Was this going to happen every night?

Forbes is a lovely town. 

Forbes to Barmedman to check out the Mineral pool and have a shower. It was raining when we arrived, the $1 hot shower was the coldest hot shower I've ever had.

Drive thru Ariah Park, Ardlethan, Grong Grong, Narandera, Gillenibah, 

Tocomwal sits on the Mighty Murray River. it is very busy here.

We stayed the night at Jerilderie to meet up with Kerry who is traveling from Tasmania.

Then Finley, we stayed there 1 night. The girls went on to Glenrowan next, I had been there before, so I continued on thru to Tocumwal then Shepperton. Had a haircut there and lunch then onto Benalla. Stayed 2 nights Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th, in a lovely RV friendly camp near the library.   

The girls arrived back here on the second night.

The girls continued on to Euroa, I headed back to Shepparton where Velma was looking for a place to camp the night. Kerry went on her way to Canberra where she had a house sit.   

Velma couldn't find a decent place to park up for the nigh at Shepparton so she texts me that she had booked into a motel for the next 4 nights. 

So, I thought that was a bit rude, considering she was the organizer of the tagalong. I figure I'd continue on to Greens Lake for 2 nights Thursday and Friday. I had earlier told Velma about Greens Lake, hot showers, flushing loo's, lovely lake not far off the hwy. 

Full Moon shining over the water was beautiful.

It got rather busy by Saturday, I didn't realize it was a long weekend in Victoria. Maybe that's the reason Velma chose to book into a motel for 4 days?

Was her loss, anyway I was a bit disgruntled with her change of plan. I had paid for her and my ticket on the Paddle Steamer for Monday. I didn't now want to wait till Monday as it was only Thursday and why should I hang around after she changed the itinerary. So....

Saturday 7th, I left Greens Lake for Echuca for the Paddle Streamer booking office on the Murray River. I canceled both tickets then decided to do the Paddle Steamer by myself, Velma would have no problems booking another ticket for her Monday cruise. Of course I let her know about the cancelation and that she wouldn't even have to book as it was not busy on this particular Paddle Steamer. 

It was an interesting cruise up the river. there were so many people kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, boating and sitting by the river swimming and relaxing.

I left my phone in the car by mistake so no photos of the Paddle Steamer.

I wanted to follow the Murray on the NSW side to Corawa and stayed 1 night there. It was a great camp spot, many campers there. I found a quiet spot near the bush and had a very good night.

Howlong Camp Sunday, one night stay, a relaxing time on the Murray river, an old stomping ground for me. It was a long weekend in Victoria so there were many local families enjoying a river swim and a few boats about too. later in the day I seem people camping under the bridge and I see a caravan pull up further along the river. I wasn't alone but I feels like it, I had the river and the night to myself. 

Back to Forbes to overnight, it's a lovely town to stay in.

Tuesday 10th I needed a shower so headed to The Rock, on the way to Wagga Wagga, beautiful free hot shower and a good-looking town too.

Jerrys Plains 10th Wednesday night.  I was home on Thursday.