Life's an Adventure with Paul and Mandy

  This was our second night stop on our short western rivers getaway - a free camp on the bank of the Macintyre River at the Rainbow Camping Reserve. The Macintyre River forms the border between Qld and NSW and splits into the Dumaresq River a little further east from where we were camped. We stayed the previous night near Condamine and headed south via Goondiwindi.  There had been significant rains in the previous weeks and most of the roads still had flood warning signs out as the flood waters drained south via our main river systems. It was great to see all the water holes filled and so much green! We setup camp near the river and went for a swim as it was a warm day - though the nights were very cool for this time of year!  The river was still muddy from the floods - as were the banks. Very muddy and slippery.  In fact we came out looking like we had a mud bath - sorry no photos! There wasn't an adequate kayak launch spot along this section of the river given the...

  So you like sunflowers!  Well summertime in Australia in South East Queensland, you should head towards Warwick and keep your eyes open. We headed down towards Warwick in the hope of coming across some Sunflowers before heading across the state towards Condamine for a quick western river loop and a 3 day escape from the "Covid Coast".

  Condamine is few hours west of Brisbane and the Caliguel Lagoon can be found on the the Condamine Meandarra Road, around 7 kms south of Condamine. There is a very flash looking boat ramp and campsite a couple of hundred meters up the lagoon from where we setup camp.  This is the locals skiing area so I wouldn't recommend a weekend visit if you are seeking some peace and quiet as between the throbbing echo of ski boats, you had the counterpoint scream of jet skis. My thoughts are very adequately summed up  by Michael Leunig: Ode To A Jet-Ski Person Jet-ski person, selfish fink, May your silly jet-ski sink, May you hit a pile of rocks, Oh Hoonish, summer, coastal pox. Noisy, smoking, dickhead fool On your loathsome leisure tool, Give us all a jolly lark And sink beside a hungry shark. Scream as in its fangs you go, Your last attention-seeking show, While on the beach we all join in With ‘Three cheers for the dorsal fin!’ - Michael Leunig - We setup camp away from the main...