Tamworth, New South Wales

After a brief overnight stop in Tamworth, I was pleased to find a very good Chinese Restaurant in Tamworth called the Golden Dragon. This is not your usual pretty nasty country Chinese Restaurant, but it is similar to somewhere you would find in a metropolitan location, in décor and food quality. However, be cautioned the portions are astronomical and while I was there, without exception, everybody was left with enough for a small army which they took away in shopping bags.

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Goondiwindi, Queensland

The following day, I arrived in Goondiwindi, Qld, just over the Queensland border. They had had days of rain before I arrived, and that, teamed with the annual migration of the Victorian and NSW Snowbirds (those that head north to the warmer climates of Queensland in winter), which were starting to migrate south, had taken all the caravan park sites in the area.

Feeling a little like Mary and Joseph, who were told there was no room at the Inn, I was offered the last alternative – a spot in the Showground. Not having been in “the area” for a while (years), I felt I had won the lottery. When I arrived at the “Showground”, I was greeted by a floodplain with only a few small islands of dry ground above water out in the far reaches of the showground.

I found one and staked my claim on a spot slightly larger than my motorhome. As you would expect, I was quickly joined by several other forlorn travellers, all looking for spots on The Arc.

Goondiwindi, at the start of the western plains area of Queensland, has traditionally been regarded as a quiet country town. Unfortunately, lately, it has been regularly beset by small groups of delinquent teenage gangs from over the NSW border who damage property and try to loot homes and businesses.

At the time, this was all news to me, but I was glad that it was a short stopover before meeting my new Road Warrior friends—Fiona and Damian Jones and their three (3), yep, three dogs, travelling with them in their motorhome; in a small rural town in southern Queensland – Millmerran, for a quick catch-up and a round of golf with Damian at the Royal and Ancient Millmerran Golf Club.

I will publish a lengthier introduction to these Mobile Citizens and their pets in a future post. You will be charmed and amazed at their exploits.

After a short (which seemed like forever), stay at the Millmerran Golf Club parking lot, which had no power, no water and one toilet, no shower for all 8 visitors.

The golf and visit were lovely, but the facilities could have been better.

After leaving beautiful Millmerran, I headed to Bribie Island on the Queensland Sunshine Coast, which was a pleasant relief. On the way, I noticed a beautifully decorated grain silo.

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Bribie Island, Queensland

The principal reason I had for visiting Bribie Island was to visit my long-time friend Monty Thompson, a retired Sydney Real Estate Broker and Harley-Davidson riding mate.

Monty has been trying to get me to visit him for the five years he has lived on Bribie Island, so I thought now was a good time.

Monty was a fantastic host. I was able to park my motorhome right outside his apartment block, and he generously offered me the spare room in his inside-passage, beachfront apartment.

I have to admit I enjoyed the decadence of sleeping in a bed after the Millmerran experience.

During my stay, we must have tried the menu at every club on and off the Island, including the famous Sandstone Point Resort, where we had a fabulous house specialty, the Tower of Seafood Platter.

Monty, still a Real Estate “Workaholic,” successfully sells real estate on the Island to keep himself busy. It is a shame he doesn’t play golf, as the island has two nice courses.

While Monty attended the office during the day, which has a thriving real estate market, I spent my days riding my E-Bike around the island, enjoying many of its beautiful unspoiled areas, beaches, coffee shops, and other points of interest.

The unspoiled beaches were fantastic, and everywhere on the island was accessible by bike path; what a treat, and it is all flat.

During my stay, we attended a weekend outdoor market on the beachfront, and we were amazed (not) that virtually the same things were on sale there as in Sydney. What a surprise! It was great fun, but sadly, we weren’t tempted to part with wads of our cash.

If you are a keen angler, it would be great if you gave Monty a shout. His son is the president of the local fishing club and is an expert on “where they are all biting.”

Caboolture, Queensland – Queensland Aircraft Museum

A major highlight, if not, the greatest highlight, of my visit was Monty taking me to tour the Queensland Aircraft Museum located beside the Caboolture Airport. What a fantastic place.

Other than at a major airport, I have never seen so many aircraft in one place. There are lots of military aircraft, including the only full F-111, I have ever seen up close,

The very understated entry to the Queensland Air Museum.

You can walk up the scaffold and see the actual cockpit of the F-111

F-111 Bomb under the wing.

There seem to be more Huey Helicopters from the Vietnam era than I have ever seen this side of Vietnam,

Military and civilian transport aircraft,

And even some Military Trainers,

historical aircraft that contributed to the growth and development of Queensland and Australia, and so much more.

Early Flying Doctor Service Tiger Moth

Later, the Flying Doctor Service plane.

The place is massive, with half the exhibits being out of doors as they are too big to house under cover.

I strongly suggest, even if you aren’t an aeroplane buff, if you are in the area, do yourself a favour and schedule at least 2 hours to visit the Museum; you should take your grandchildren as well.

Sabre Jet from the Korean War period.

British Comet

After I visited with Monty, I drove on to Caloundra to visit a former client and a friend who was recently battling cancer but has come out the other side.

Golden Beach, Caloundra, Queensland

Like many places I have been close to and never stopped at, I have wanted to visit Golden Beach for many years. This trip allowed me to address that desire with a “cold one” after a big day at the beach.

I was very impressed with the laid-back atmosphere of the place. There are great beaches and many coffee shops with a great vibe, and the Motorboat Club at the end of town is special and lively. Like most good clubs, it has a great kitchen serving great, reasonably-priced food.

That’s it for this adventure …………

What’s Next?

Well, that’s it for this trip, but my next adventure is to Mudgee, NSW, with my older person’s E-bike riding club for a weekend of fun riding and dining in the region that is regarded as one of the best wine-growing areas of Australia.

Then we go on to the Hunter Valley to meet up with Fiona and Damian, pat their menagerie of dogs, play a bit of golf, and drink some great wine.

I know what you are thinking ……. It’s a tough life, but somebody has to live it.