What’s synonymous with Oranges?
Why Gayndah, of Course.
After a gentle cruise though the well-maintained road north from Kilkivan, and after a brief stop at the Ban Ban Springs Rest Area and a quick check of the now dry (unfortunately) spring which was a haven for our first Australians for thousands of years, we head north for about 30 kilometres to come to the orange capital of Queensland, the town of Gayndah.
How about a bit of history….. Gayndah is the oldest town in Queensland but is now renowned for its beautiful oranges, as you’re quickly reminded by the Giant Orange as you enter town.
And what a location. Right on the banks of the spectacular Burnett River, just near that giant orange is the giant Welcome to Gayndah sign and the free caravan parking facility. Only 20 hours maximum as are many of the freecamps but that’s enough time to allow you to take in the scenery, top up with fuel and groceries and yarn to the locals and fellow travellers.
You’ll find it’s amazing the number of people you run into in your travels who know someone you know, or in our case, friends of ours returning from a caravan trip. They parked their van right near us, dragged out the chairs and a cup of coffee and had a great yarn.
They’d only just departed when another van pulled up and low and behold, it’s Rod and Mavis, people we last help park their van in Mt Isa many years ago. And you’ll experience the same thing as you travel around enjoying the country and the lifestyle. The Child Bride and I guarantee it.
And what else could you do in Gayndah but sample the local oranges….. and The Child Bride did just that. Bought directly from the grower whose orchard was just across the road from our camp.
This parking area also has a dump point and toilet block at one end and a supply of good drinking water from a tap in the middle of the lawn area of the park. All handy features for caravanners ….. and we took advantage of the service.
Then we did what these parking areas are designed to get you to do…..we fueled up and hit the local IGA for a quick top up of the larder before heading north towards Mundubbera, Eidsvold and the hung left towards the fantastic little town of Theodore where you will find one of the best free campsites in the country. But more of that later.
Lyall and Trish