Off the Tourist Trail #4 Pentland, Queensland

We needed warmth NOW. We'd left the cold south a few weeks ago, but hadn't yet hit the tropics. You KNOW you're not warm enough when even the thermal pools feel cold …

The solution? Head further north – and QUICKLY!

Our map (no, I DON'T mean 'GPS') showed a road heading north from Blackall, up through historic Barcaldine to Torrens Creek, one of 5 small towns* on the Overlander's Way between Hughenden and Charters Towers. And apart from a few km of gravel at the far end, sealed all the way! Sweet!!

We thought we'd hit paydirt on this deserted (only 6 other vehicles) and scenic (passing through 2 national parks**) inland superhighway – until we reached the dirt! Dirt? Hah! 35 km of the worst bulldust roads we'd ever driven on! But still … not only did we save 2-3 days on going round the looooong way, we had the added bliss of warmth! Travelling several hundred km further north in one day hadn't been for nothing ...

So … where to bail up, lie low for awhile and return the car and trailer to their natural colour?

Then we thought of Pentland, only a short distance east from where the dirt superhighway emerged onto the REAL road! We'd driven through it in 2009, amazed by the magnificent wildflowers of the White Mountains National Park - and the Pentland wetland (aka 'swamp') at the back of the town gave it the edge over Torrens Creek. Before you start wondering what kind of people think a swamp makes a place MORE instead of LESS enticing, think birdwatching!!

Don't feel bad if you've never heard of Pentland – you're in good company with (at a rough estimate) many millions of Aussies – and (I daresay) Oprah! Sad, when it's a great place to spend a couple of days in a real Aussie small town.

The Pentland caravan park is one of those wonderful quiet country parks with everything – and on our June 2010 visit, was only $22 per night for a powered site! Bargain!! And within walking distance of the town's services and attractions, including art gallery and historic Norwood police cells.

The next day, trailer de-red-dusted and washing on the line, we wandered down to the swamp wetland for a closer look A glorious spot, the extensive waterway was loaded with birds including Comb-crested Jacana, Magpie Goose and Cotton Pygmy Goose – unruffled by the young lad leading a cow along the verge. I'd also mention the hundreds of Whistling Duck in the distance, too far away to identify as either Plumed or Wandering subspecies …

And back at the caravan park for lunch, so warm we actually had to sit in the shade (!), Great Bowerbird swooped and cried around us, waiting (vainly) for stray morsels to fall. As if!

The Overland Way passes through the spectacular White Mountains NP – and one of the best wildflower displays this side of Western Australia. Although limited (god knows why), there IS public access at Canns Camp Creek campground, the Burra Range lookout and a short, flower lined walk down a fire trail to the creek – although it's moot whether the latter is an 'official' visitor access point …

Returning to Pentland from viewing the breathtaking wild and remote vista from the lookout, an odd little bird, not destined to be roadkill today, scuttled across the road in front of us! What was it? Although pretty unlikely (wrong habitat and known distribution), I desperately wanted it to be a Plains Wanderer (how cool is that name?) but expert Pilchard didn't see it clearly enough to identify preferring (thankfully, I guess) to actually watch the road when driving!

Although unlikely that we'll nearly skittle the same bird in the same spot a year or two down the track, it's just enough to make us return to Pentland one day on the off chance! Yes, we have an active fantasy life …

Till next time!!

*Prairie, Torrens Creek, Pentland, Homestead and Balfe's Creek – all (other than Homestead) with Caravan Park/ hotel/motel accomodation; and all with other facilities such as stores, fuel, pub etc. Go on! Have a stopover!!
**Forest Den and Moorrinya, if you care!