08 Nov '10

On the 22nd of October, twelve Mt Gravatt Retirement Village residents packed their bags and headed west (on the village bus), the 2nd trip of this sort to be organised by residents, for the residents.  Charles and Pam Nalder, organisers and residents tell us a little of their adventure.  

We began on a Friday morning, leaving the village bright and early and enjoyed a Devonshire Tea at Platform 9 in Toowoomba.  Other stops included Dalby, Bell and finally, resting in Chinchilla for the first night of the trip with one of the highlights being a guided tour of Jimbour House.

The next morning the group took a little drive around Chinchilla to get "a feel" for a country town, then visited the Chinchilla Museum (arguably one of the best rural museums in Australia) where we were all treated to a ride around the extensive museum grounds in a recently restored 1926 Chevrolet sedan.

 On the bus again and on through Miles and some other very small towns to Walumbilla and onto Roma where we toured the Big Rig complex to learn a little about the first oil and gas discoveries in Australia.

After a hearty meal at the Roma Bowls Club, the evening show at the Big Rig complex and a restful night at the Motel Carnarvon we proceeded west to Mitchell where we found a grassy little park to enjoy morning tea before proceeding to the iconic Great Artesian Spa where we donned our swimming gear and relaxed in the soothing warmth of the artesian bore water.

After the swim we took a little trip out of town to find Arrest Creek, the spot where the bushranging murderers, the Kennif brothers, were finally brought to justice.

   On Monday morning after packing up and spending some time at the Ace Drapers, a shop that has to be seen to be believed, we headed east and once again stopped at Wallumbilla, but this time we visited the very famous Calico Cottage, a place full of homemade crafts etc.  This shop is a great place to acquire unique gifts as well as stocking the larder with very tasty jams and pickles.  

After driving through Miles and visiting the Miles Historic Village we headed north to Possum Park.  Possum Park was a Defence establishment where bombs and munitions were stored in underground bunkers during WW2, but over recent years the area has been developed as a caravan park and camping area, with some bunkers being made into motel type units, together with some train carriages.  This complex is so peaceful and quiet, and after the recent rains the countryside is lush and green and resplendent with wildflowers.

Then on to the tiny town of Kogan, famous for being the home to the artist Hugh Sawrey for many years, where we downed a "cuppa" before driving east through Dalby and on to Toowoomba where the City Golf Club entertained us right royally for a latish lunch, and from there it was downhill all the way as we headed home to Brisbane.
       Charles & Pam Nalder

"When is the next trip?"

"It was wonderful...we have never laughed so much!"

"The food was great, the accommodation was great ...and the company was great....enjoyed it all."