Days 28 & 29 Charleville to Tambo

Day 28 Charleville to 24 km past Augathella 108 km

A noisy night in Charleville. Lots of dogs barking, the sound of trucks on the highway, a rooster at 3:00 am and rubbish trucks emptying bins at 5:30 am. Maybe the camping park further out of town would be quieter.

Out of bed and packing up at 6:30 am. Rolling down to the bakery for breakfast at 7:15 am. Enjoyed my coffee chatting to a bloke who is on the Outback Golf Tour. It is an organised event with 120 participants where they play golf at various outback towns. They have already been to Birdsville, Boulia and Barcaldine and are playing in Charleville this weekend. 

It was a fun chat as this fellow is travels in a Hi Ace van and was making fun comments about the big rigs a lot of the Crusties are driving. “Mine is bigger than yours” seems to be a feature of many campground discussions.

Warrego River at Charleville

Matilda?

Historic House Museum Charleville

After breakfast I did a circuit around town and then headed across the Warrego River bridge towards Augathella. The Warrego is a tributary of Darling River. It reaches the Darling just near Louth south of Bourke in NSW. 

Each time I have crossed the Warrego I have been impressed however appearances are deceiving. Even though there appears to be plenty of water it is really just a long line of waterholes at the moment. It only flows to the Darling in exceptional years. Not a river for me to explore in my kayak.

I made good speed all day. I arrived in Augathella after 84 km just after 1:00 pm. It is a small town with a cafe, pub, grocery store and not much else. Its totem is the Meat Ant which features in some imagery around town. 

Meat Ant Country

Augathella Water Tower

Smiley was movie that was filmed in Augathella in the 50s

There was large population of grey nomads already ensconced in the park along the river. It certainly looked like a lovely spot but it was too early for me to stop. After a cup of tea and muffin from the cafe I pushed on.

I was riding well so I kept going until 4:00 pm. It was actually longer than I wanted but I struggled to find a suitable campsite. Eventually I found a side track outside a fence line near a farm gate. 

My campsite was opposite Prairie Station farm gate

The side track looked as it if wasn’t in use so I thought I would be ok to set up camp on it. Happily a farm Ute came through the gate later and the driver waved to me and asked if I had enough water and then wished me a nice evening and drove off. That affirmed my campsite choice. 

Day 29 Bush camp past  Augathella to Tambo 93 km

What a day! I woke up early and started packing just after 6:30 am. Coffee and muesli sitting in my chair listening to birdsong.

At 7:50 am I was on the bike. Lots of road trains passing me and only very narrow shoulder. Mostly the trucks went wide of me but a couple of times they felt quite close. I was listening to hear what was coming and I rode into the grass a few times when I thought they were coming too close to me.

The wind was unhelpful all day. Mostly it was a headwind although it came and went so at times it more unhelpful than other times. The morning featured a series of long hills, not steep but combined with the wind it was hard work.

About 10:00 am I was buffeted by a road train coming toward me. Even though it was on the other side of the road it’s shock wave rocked me more that any other vehicle all day. 

Shortly after my bike was making a tapping noise. I stopped to check what the noise was and found I had a broken rear rack screw. Not a serious problem as this has happened before and I carry spares.

I found a safe spot to make repairs on the other side of the road. Fortunately I was able to remove the broken screw and replace it. 

When I hopped back on the bike the wind had picked up. I didn’t get over 15 kph all day. At 11:30 am I decided to have lunch as I was feeling low energy. I leant my bike against a farm gate and set out my chair and stove. Two minutes noodles, coffee and an orange. 

Oversized load

These horses came over to check me out

Lunch spot 

I still had 50 km to cover and it was all into the wind. I was stoic until the last 10 km when I was over it. I grumbled to myself but it didn’t help me go any faster. Eventually I arrived in Tambo at 4:00 pm. 

I saw the pub had accommodation so I bought a beer and enquired about a room. $49 for room with shared facilities. I was just happy that I didn’t have to set up the tent.

This pub the Royal Carrangarra also hosts Ben’s Chicken Racing which I was keen to see. I took my gear up to my room, showered and was back downstairs in time to grab a seat at Snitzel Stadium.

There are 10 hens all different colours which is achieved with different varieties and food dye. The hens are auctioned off for charity and then a chase remote control car around the circuit for 4 laps. 

Unfortunately my video of the chicken race was too large to load in here

The winning owner gets to keep half the takings and the other half goes to charity. On this night the winner paid $120 for the yellow chicken and earned $370. It was good fun for a good cause.

I was yawning as I waited for my dinner.