We really enjoyed the drive from the Sunshine Coast to Toowoomba. It was nice to have rural scenery as a change from coastal. The countryside had a friendly feel to it and the roads were not as busy, more like the way to St Helens I suppose. The area is big into cotton growing and we just missed the harvest which took place last week apparently. The locals say it’s a wonderful sight with the fields white in the sun. There was lots of cotton which had blown away lying on the side of the road everywhere we went. We picked some up and it felt like wool, so soft and so clean too.

Toowoomba is known as the City of Gardens but we couldn’t see much of it because the rain had set in and you couldn’t see to the other side of the road. Needless to say, we drove on and camped at Millmerran- a country park with lots of space and cows over the fence. Lots of bird life to watch as well. This park caters a lot for seasonal workers so they have one person rooms lined up in a long row of demountables. They all come home around 4.30 in their big utes and filthy dirty from coal mining and power engineering etc. Then leave again bright and early.

Crossing the Blackbutt Range was hairy. Because of the rain the visibility was very poor and since the road is like the Sidlings it wasn’t much fun; trying to peer through the fog took its toll but we made it safe and sound. Thankfully the GPS shows you where the road is going so at least you have some idea of what’s ahead. Apart from that section, it feels more like the outback here. Long, straight roads with low scrub, easy driving.

Photos next.