July 2013 Blackdown Tablelands, Central QLD

In July 2013 we had the pleasure of exploring the Black Down Tablelands National Park situated in the heart of Central QLD.   Blackdown Tablelands dominates the horizon on the drive to Blackwater, its about a 2hr drive from Rocky and involves a trip into a different climate and almost like a trip into a different world... has to be experienced to be appreciated.

 

We have had our eyes set on this place for a while.  So when the camping bug hit we hooked the camper up and went to explore Black downs for 3 nights. 

 

Black down national park has fairly easy access.  The hill climb to the top of the range involves a 15klm sealed road which gets quite narrow, steep and winding towards the top of the range.  The kids thought it was really cool as we approached the top of the winding range and we hit 1st gear.  "I think I can, I think I can" .

Camper trailers are allowed but Caravans are not due to the steep road into the camping area.  

4wd Loop Track



The camping is lovely here.  We camped at the Munall Campground.  Camp sites were very large and private.  Sites 9, 10, 11 and 12 are good picks for camper trailers.  Fire rings are provided so take your own milled firewood to enjoy toasting marshmallows and keeping warm in Winter.

 





You need to take your own water supply and showers as only composting toilets are provided. We collected fresh flowing water from the creeks for our showers.  Kids enjoyed drinking the fresh creek water as well.



Waterfall

 

Black down Tableland is a sandstone plateau rising above the plains west of Rockhampton. It supports diverse native plant communities including heathlands, dry eucalypt forests and moist pockets of ferns, mosses and orchids. 

 There are unusual large rock pools near the camping area that are a must see. These are a couple of kilometres further along past the picnic area. The 50 metre waterfall was amazing. 

 

There are a few walks close to the Munall camping area and they only require a moderate fitness level. Our 3 and 5 year old managed to do the walks.  Some parts of this national park look like a movie set, it looks so perfect. Throughout the park is also information on the Ghungalu people and you will be fortunate enough to see their artwork on the rocks.

 

We also spent a day driving the 4wd loop track  situated in the middle of the park and enjoyed stopping at several flowing rock pools on the way for the kids to splash around in. 

 

 

This national park is well worth a day trip or an extended stay. It is easy to fill in three or four days here.  The kids loved riding there bikes around.  The nights were very cold In July.  So cold that we went to bed at 7:30pm.  We will definitely go back in Summer so we can all enjoy swimming in those devine water holes.  

Our very spontaneous trip to the Rockhampton Caravan and Camping Show

So much for a quiet Sunday at home after a huge week of festivities in Moura celebrating the Coal Festival. 

 

We decide to wake up early and travel Two hours to Rockhampton to visit the Caravan and Camping show for any last minute goodies that we could find useful on our trip. 

 

We walked and looked for hours with the kids who mind you were hot, sweaty and not happy that we were taking so long, and we came home with some Solar Panels, more led lighting and a dream Pot for me.  Well it's actually called a Eco-Pot which works the same as the Dream pot.  I looked a both stalls and demonstrations and in the end Eco-Pot sold me. 

Will I use it I hope so because it cost $200!  

 

The way it works is you start in the morning by preparing whatever it is you are having for dinner that evening.  Lets say Rice and Apricot Chicken.  You would bring the rice to boil and also the apricot chicken, pop both saucepans into the Thermo pot and by the time you are ready for dinner it will be cooked and ready to serve up. 

 

Often when we are camping we go hiking or fishing and by the time we get back to camp it is usually Dark, cold and the kids are starving.  I am hoping for days like these the Eco-Pot will be our saviour. 

 

I was watching the Demo's at the show and they were also baking packet cake mixes, scones and bread rolls in the eco-pot.  I imagined pulling up after a long days drive for afternoon tea and having a yummy cake ready to eat.    

 

My cooking at home is somewhat simple but It looks like I had better start getting creative with my cooking if I am going to work this Eco-Pot. 

 

Have you used one of these?  I would love to hear your reviews good and not so good and  I am desperately needing some recipes.  The recipe book which came with the pot is not the type of food we would usually eat. 

 

Will definitely be trying it out at home before we go!  Check out the link eco-pot