Bollon was another place we heard great things about and had planned several nights here but due to our extended stay at Goodooga, we only had one night.
Camping area at Wallam Creek, Bollon.
What a great spot, the camping area is along the creek and is a fairly big area with loads of trees, next to the cemetery. There is a dump point at the entry, toilet, and bins. As well as several water taps, we assume were potable water. Firewood for sale, in crates or bags with a trolly you can borrow to use to take the firewood back to your campsite. Very well priced. There is a good walking track along the creek into town.
Mural at Bollon.
There are very clean showers and toilets on the main street. Not a lot here hotel burned down, café and laundry mat people moved on. A post office, old post office is now a gallery.
Charlotte Plains, unfortunately the weather really wasn’t good. Overcast skies with rain forecast the next day. Dirt road all the way in, we knew we would get stuck if we got the rain that was forecast. It was very busy, so the camping area was very dusty (which means mud in the wet) and both of us felt the same, was just something not doing it for us. It could have just been that we were nervous about the weather.
The bore at Charlotte Plains.
We were booked and paid for 2 nights but we decided 1 night would have to do and we got up very early the next day on the road by 6.15am and got back to the highway without incident. Several other starships were doing the same. No rain overnight thankfully. We pulled off the road a few kms up and had breakfast with grey clouds looming.
Some of the baths at Charlotte Plains, you can fill with hot water and soak your aches away. Be awesome at night.
We were in Cunnamulla well before 9am. Weather was overcast but fine. Allowed us to take some photos, walk around a bit, drive out to the weir and visit the information centre. Before the rains came.
The Cunnamulla Fella.
Cunnamulla Weir. Nice day picnic area.
We spent all afternoon at the Bushland’s in Cunnamulla. There was a large shelter shed, we took refuge under. It was very cold and wet.
We got to have a walk around the bushlands before the rains came. Above day bed star gazing.
From here we were winging it. From Eulo to Yowah was very very wet on the road and pools of water were along the side. There was no way we were getting off the tar. Some areas of the road are one lane, when cars came the opposite direction we stopped pulled over as far as we were game and let people through.
At one point we were stopped and 3 cars came along. The lead car stopped to tell me about water over the road ahead we would not be able to get through in our campers at 400mm high. But it was going down quick so pull over and have a cuppa and wait it out.
When we first came to this crossing it was over 400mm high, we could just see the depth marker.
Which is exactly what we did. I put a rock on the edge of the water. Something my science officer Chris taught me and we waited, cuppa in hand.
Several 4wd towing caravans came through, went across, each one moved the water out of the way. One ute stopped to offer us help to follow him through. We said we would wait, he said he will be back through in an hour and will help us if we still hadn’t got through. A semi went through, but this time it said it was about 200 to 300mm. A Hyundai iLoad went through from the other direction, the model before mine, with about the same clearance. We chatted to him and decided it was time to go through. The water had receded a lot from my rock.
Judy led the way and I followed behind, both making it through fine. But we had 3 more crossings to get through which we didn’t know about. The next one ended up being slightly higher at 300mm and flowing fast but the width was not as wide as the first. With Judy saying a few choice words over the CB as she went through, I stopped and waited. Then she says all good you will be fine, like hello it did not sound like it. 😛
We made it through all 4 fine but felt a bit stressed by the time we got to Yowah, raining on and off most of the way.
Yowah, opal mining town.
Yowah, what a great little town. Not a lot here, several opal stores, hot pools, caravan park, a community building that acts as a club some nights. A free camp, which we checked out but was very wet underfoot.
We decided to stay at the caravan park. Ground was gravel dirt, firm enough but still so much water around.
Over 100 year old bore.
They had these little huts with private baths, no roofs so you can look at the stars on a clear night. We were told by a fellow camper they were lovely. Free washing machines, amazing hot showers, well stock shop. Very friendly staff. In fact everyone in Yowah was incredibly friendly.
We walked around town, visited a few of the opal stores. I bought some Yowah rocks for the grandkids. So many beautiful rocks and opals.
One of the Opal shops.
Yeah, nah, we don’t know the story behind the postcode.
We also went up to the artesian hot pools, $5 for the day, $20 for the week. One pool (cool pool) I reckon was about 37/38, the hot pool about 40 degrees. Most of us stayed in the cooler pool. Have to say it was really nice and relaxing after our stressful adventurous drive. People very briefly dipped into the hot. I went into the hotter pool had a swim around and said this one is for you Chris. He liked the pools slightly hotter than me.
Empty pool is the hotter pool.
At the community building on a Wed and Sat they do a meal and have a bar. We happened to be there on a Saturday. The meal was a choice of vegetable or chicken lasagna or slowed cooked lamb chops for $28. I had the chicken lasagna, Judy the vegetable. Both were served with chips and salad. Big meals and so beautiful very tasty. We sat with a couple we met at the creek crossing who were very pleased to see we had made it and said well done. Both lovely people. We had lots of laughs and easy chatting telling tales of travels.
The night finished with a sort of raffle with a game of snakes and ladles, called “miners & ladders”, totally hilarious. Such a fun night. I know 100% Chris would have loved the night and loved the place and our time here. You could easily spend several days just enjoying the place and people.
Another one of the shops.
We also found out Charlotte plains roads were closed in and out on the day we were suppose to leave, so yes we would have got stuck in there. So it turned out to be the right decision to leave early and Yowah for us turned out to be a much better place and one I believe Chris would have preferred as well.
I think he is up there is heaven with a big grin on his face really proud of the way we have dealt with the wet, creek crossings and keeping ourselves safe.
We throughly enjoyed our stay at Yowah, it was recommended to us by a friend and we have already recommended it to others.
Live long and Prosper.
