Day 65 Bouldercombe to Upper Ulam Reserve

The Royal Hotel now closed (Bouldercombe)

Sunday 20th June, 2021 19.9km

1722.8 / 3376.1km

I was up early as I didn't know how I would handle the climb. A zero day followed by a half day, 2 chicko rolls and a Pepsi was not good preparation.

The walk up to the hill is interesting when looking at the different houses and their letterboxes. I found a blues supporter, his house wasn't damaged in any way so I'd say they tolerate him.

The climb up the range turned into a bit of an anti climax. I turned up an old 4wd trail that I hoped would overlook Bouldercome Gorge which I think it did. I got to the top no trouble so on a good day I still have a bit of fitness, or it was the chicko rolls?

A NSW supporter

The trail then wanders across the range through small rural blocks and a mining lease. The wind kept the day cool. Not that cold I had to don the thermals but cold enough I didn't want to stop. So moving along to keep warm, I come to a gate I have to climb over as someone has put a lock on it.

I have to climb that

Then it's back down the range. The walk goes through more small acreages, most with horses it seems, then a short 900m walk up to the Upper Ulam Recreation Grounds which is the designated camp spot. The area is full of cars and people having a community get together.

I sit in a sunny spot across the road and read a book. They break up and when I move across I speak to one of the committee members who points out the facilities and asks I make sure the gate is shut. Then I'm on my own. I set up the tent under a roof so I don't get dew in the morning. The power is on so I charge up the battery bank albeit slow as the charger is definitely playing up in the cold.

The track up

On sunset someone's shooting but nothing's coming my way so I settle down for the night. Dogs barking continually all night with one dog visiting but obviously getting a fright when I roll over in the tent. It sets him off. I growl at it and it retreats barking all the way till it hits the road.

The last dog shut up about 4 am.

Looking back towards Rockhampton

An old dozer before airconditioned cabins

The track back down

Waiting for the party to finish

My neighhhhbor

Day 64 Kabra to Bouldercombe

Kabra's camp spot and single dongas

Saturday 19th June, 2021 16.5km

1702.9 / 3396 km

I left the pub about 7am and have to walk a kilometre back to Kabra proper.

The road from Kabra is bitumen, not exciting but easy to navigate along without getting cleaned up. I sat for a break at a farm where they advertise Avocados for $5 box. The pack is heavy enough so I leave them.

This morning's road

The trail then follows a road easement and this was more pleasant as now its just me and the birds.

It's a short day today and the trail comes out at the back of the Bouldercome rubbish dump. A lady coming from the dump stops to have a chat, then I get back to civilisation and the United Service Station. I am picking up something here for dinner so I get some cheese and biscuits. I then saw a chicko roll.... Should I??? Bugger it. It looks fresher than the other one. So lunch is the roll and a Vanilla Pepsi Max. After I downed that I went and got another chicko roll. Belinda thinks that any trouble coming is self inflicted and has no sympathy.

Mangos and Avocados 

Then it's down the road to the old Royal Hotel and I slip up to the trail riders compound near the sports oval and setup inside the fence. Saved $2. That's what the lions club charge for camping behind the hotel. I give them the rest of my silver change when I go past to fill up with water.

Short day today so I spent the afternoon reading. The book has to be returned in 3 days). Big climb tomorrow.

The gate to the road reserve

Looking back towards Gracemere

Pretty

Good looking dog but he wanted to take my
leg off

Day 63 Zero day at Kabra

Friday 18th June, 2021

I started to wash everything in the pack yesterday. The hotel allowed me to wash my clothes and I continued to scrub everything else. Some of my bags holding my gear were grubby and that sand from the camp at the Fitzroy was stuck on everything.

Kabra Hotel

I didn't check if I could bus it to Rockhampton as I had got my food drop pretty right here. I was out of most food which is much better than carrying too much. So it was wash, relax, watch TV and generally laze around. I've got a couple of niggles that appreciate a break even if it's only a day.

Being a Friday night the pub was busy at dinner time. The raffles were on and I gave them $5 worth of pocket change as it's getting quite heavy. Next thing I know I've won and they give two $50 notes. Not a bad exchange. Nearly thought about another zero day but in the end I've planned a pretty slow start so I'll keep moving.

Kabra hotel. Top pub. Good food.

Cleaning the water filter

lots of sand

Keeping the line full

Food for the next leg

winnings!

Day 62 to Kabra

Fitzroy River this morning

Thursday 17th June, 2021 46.7km

1686.4 / 3412.5km

Camp spot. All packed up

The night had a little bit of rain and a few rumbles from passing thunderstorms. Today was a hike to a creek camp beside the main highway. I had checked it out when I dropped the foodboxes and I wasn't a fan. It is very noisy with trucks and coal trains running all night. I had decided I would look for a stealth camp before the highway. Then tomorrow do a 17k walk straight down the highway to the new Kabra hotel which isn't in

Kabra but 1 kilometre further east on the highway.

So first I had to walk from the river back out to the Rosewood road. Then just a plod along that road.

Sunrise

Going over the range I came across an injured bush turkey. I let Belinda know where it was thinking she might ring Wildlife Carers if they were around here. She suggested roast dinner.

On the same range I saw the cooling Towers of the Power Station. I stopped for lunch at a corner where the official trail takes a turn to a scenic route or I could go straight on a more direct route. I had miscounted my days and I had no more breakfast lunch or snacks left in the tucker bag. One of the reasons I was planning a highway march so I could stop at the store in Stanwell.

It became moot when a car stopped and offered me a lift, which I declined but he insisted. The driver was determined to chat to me as he wanted to do a long walk but along the Dingo fence. Once I was in the car I got a lift all the way to the Kabra hotel and we eventually parted. I wonder if he will ever do his walk.

That meant I was in for some pub grub and Kabra does it well. There are three levels of accomodation. I could camp, go to a single man's donga or a motel style room. I opted for the motel. Only 4 rooms and the highway and train noise is still heard all night. Room comes with continental breakfast which is in the room so I ate 2 cereals and my toast for afternoon tea. Scotch fillet for dinner and I am a happy man.

Last of the cereal but I added sugar

Emu Creek I presume

Injured bustard

Can just see the Stanwell smoke stacks

Day 61 Fitzroy River

The start of the day. Blue skies but fog rolling in

Wednesday 16th June, 2021 33.3km

1639.7 / 3459.2km

Rain was predicted for the next 3 days.

Whilst there were storms about I only had showers that just kept me wet and with the fog it is also very warm . I sweat a lot and that means I have a lot water to filter, but with the rain it's all muddy and it's clogging the filter quickly.

The fog rolls in

I move off the trail to look at some modern gold diggings and walked across country towards the mentioned (guidebook) Rosewood cemetery. Along the way I came across a memorial put up on the location of an old hotel. The cemetery wasn't full of headstones but sad to see two children lost to parents.

Modern equipment at Rosewood Diggings.
Didn't play out I suppose.

The trail towards the end of the day was supposed to follow a reserve down to the Fitzroy River. It seemed to start alright with timbered lane way. Then it just finishes in paddocks and I took a gamble and picked a fence. About 5 kilometre later I messaged Belinda. I didn't seem to be getting where I was supposed to be. My map didn't show a road ahead but Belinda assured me I had about 500 metres to reach said road. Then 900 metres more to reach the river. A long day and a muddy wade to get gritty water.

Found this memorial. Private property signs
everywhere but I was coming across country

I only just managed to get everything done before the sun set. Not ideal after a long day. It rained during the night and the sand here is the sticky type, it's fine and gets into everything. Before I came this way I was contemplating going down the road as this way adds about 6 kilometres overall to the walk. Wasn't quite worth the effort in the end. Maybe for horse people but the fences might cause a problem.

Rosewood Cemetary

Headstones children couple of days and
5 months and maybe their mother beside.

More of the family

Homestead on the hill

This is the start of the reserve.
Notice it's been eaten out before
the station paddocks each side.

camp set up on Fitzroy river

Day 60 Book 3 Map 19

Wet morning, plenty of water but muddy

Tuesday 15th June, 2021 24.4km

1606.4/3492.5km

The night was rainy but I had a good spot that didn't turn to a mud pit. I can tell as soon as I put my pack on that the legs don't want to play today. I would have liked to get another 30 or so kilometres in today.

With the cloud cover the day is warm. I'm walking through the area the storm passed and by the end of the day I will walk out of the southern edge, so it was a fairly narrow band of about 10k wide. Talking to a cocky later on he said he received 25mm in the gauge but they did have hail that covered the ground.

When I saw this sign I thought of a BBC crime
drama with David Tennant as lead detective.

Around lunchtime the clouds moved on and then the sun beat down on me. The temperature is back up and I'm dribbling sweat all afternoon. Another station owner rolls up and offers me some water which I take. I've decided I'm not trying the 30 kilometres today but will pull up at about the 24 kilometre mark. He offers to drive me the couple of km to the windmill which I accept. We have a bit of a chat and I get his name and number as we do cross his station and he is not on the official list. He likes talking to trail people and has put a few up . I'm passed his homestead though so I miss out. Bugger.

We talked about a few things and one was that people that have passed through and stayed in contact have said that they enjoyed the Northern Queensland part more than they realised after doing south. Made me think a little as I've only met so far 2 people that I would call grumpy.

High ground looking South

Also along this whole section whenever I set up camp I deliberately do it in sight of the road. On other trails in more populated areas I normally try to hide my camping spot from passing eyes. People up here have had a chat, offered me lifts, put me up for nights and fed me without asking anything in return. I suppose that makes it a much nicer experience. Hopefully it continues and I don't meet that one Mick Taylor (movie reference Wolf Creek)

Going across the valley

Tried a capture but managed to crack the screen protector. Getting a waist that let's my pack slide down my hips

This afternoons camp beside the road about 15m
to the right.Only 2 drivers noticed me out
of 7 vehicles.

Day 59 Glenroy Crossing

A little bit of elevation

Monday 14th June, 2021 30.8km

1582 / 3516.9km

The rain sort of came with drops every now and then.

Belinda sent a message to say a line of thunderstorms was moving mainly south of me. I walked all day listening to the rumble of thunder and the occasional spot of rain.

Foresthome Homestead

After about 17 kilometres I was on a rise watching a storm come across the valley. It was still south of me but I wasn't keen to walk into it. I kept my eye on it as I walked also looking for cover if I needed it. Standing alone on a bare rise in the middle of the road was making me nervous.

I kept walking as I watched it move in front of me. It had that dark green tinge of a hail storm about it. In the end I got a small shower and a little wind but I walked into the area it had passed and it must have dropped a lot of rain and the road was covered in leaf debris, so the wind must have been pretty wild.

The table drains and the creeks had water but it was very muddy of course. I ended up walking all the way through to Glenroy Crossing on the Fitzroy River where I picked up my water and moved up the road to camp. There is still thunder and showers come along frequently. Not heavy just enough to keep the ground muddy.

Lovely faces

I made a quick noodle dinner and got into the tent to listen to the rain. It sounds much more than it is when in the tent but it lulled me asleep. Big day and I was knackered again. Watch tells me I need 3 days to recover. I'm starting to believe it as it seems to get my body battery fairly right. Belinda will be happy with my camp, it's just up from the crocodile warning sign.

I tried to get the colour. This storm
dropped 25mm rain and hail

The cows all hid, I was going to join them

Crocodile warning