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This is the first in a series of motorhoming in individual states of Australia. As I live in Queensland I thought I would start here.
Queensland is a state of vast diversity. From the cosmopolitan cities of Brisbane and the Gold Coast to the seventh wonder of the natural world, the Great Barrier Reef in the north east, to the outback in the west. From the wonders of the national parks to the quintessential Australian history in the small towns.
For the motorhomer all of this is open to you and more. If you stick to the coast you may need to frequent the caravan parks. But get away from the coast and you can enjoy the great Australian outback and all it has to offer in the numerous free camps all over the state.
The year 2007 will see the 21st Anniversary Rally of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia in Barcaldine in central Queensland. Whilst the rally is on for a week you can make a least a few weeks from a trip out there. The rally will turn a sleepy town of 1900 locals into a city of almost twice its size for a week or two. Barcaldine is a centre for the wool and cattle industries as well as some great Australian history as the town where the Australian political system was in its infancy with the birth of the Australian Labour Party.
Camping for free at Gregory Downs.
On the way is the fabulous Carnarvon Gorge. Carnarvon Gorge is an oasis in the semi-arid heart of Queensland. Towering white sandstone cliffs form a spectacular steep-sided gorge with narrow, vibrantly coloured and lush side gorges. Boulder-strewn Carnarvon Creek winds through the gorge. You can spend a few days here and it is easily accessible to motorhomes of all sizes.
From the outback to the ocean then there is the Great Barrier Reef. As the living thing that is visible from outer space, and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the reef is a fascinating place to explore for those interested in the ocean and anything to do with it. As it stretches for 1000s of miles there are many places to stop along the coast to access this world heritage site.
Free camping is the best part of motorhoming in Queensland and my favourite free camp in all of Queensland is in the far north-west at Gregory Downs. The site is on the banks of a river about 500 metres from the local pub and store (these two make up the whole town).
Crossing the Gregory River.
You can pull up right on the rivers edge, walk to one end of the area, hop in the water and float back to your motorhome with the gentle current to the other end. It is not an official campground and has been closed on occasions. We went to stay the day and stayed for three. Motorhomes and caravan line up to get the prime spots on the riverfront as people move out each morning.
Other towns in Queensland invite motorhomers and other travellers to their town and offer a free stay (sometimes with power) in their caravan parks. These towns can see the benefit to their economy of travellers coming to visit and spending their money in the town. Motorhomers are also usually happy to buy food and fuel in a town that welcomes them in with open arms. It great to go out in these towns for a pub meal and meet the locals.
There is also some great Australian history in outback Queensland. You can go to the spot where "Waltzing Matilda" (a great Australian folk song and sometimes national anthem) was written and see the waterhole "under the shade of the Coolabah tree." Qantas (the Australian airline) was also born near Longreach and there is a great museum there dedicated to the airline and Australian aviation history.
Most of all you will meet many motorhomers out there, enjoying the nomadic lifestyle which this great country has to offer.
For more info on hiring a motorhome in Australia or articles on the motorhoming lifestyle and motorhoming in Australia subscribe to the free Motorhoming Lifestyle Ezine at www.motorhominglifestyle.com
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