In this issue: •Discover sapphires & sunflowers •A cool way to cook •Stop the sway

the

‘Open road thrills putting us to sleep’ Besides meeting new people, seeing new things, and rev-elling in the sheer sense of freedom, there’s apparently another cracking reason to hit the open road ... to get a decent bit of shut-eye. An overwhelming 81.3% of respondents to our poll on the issue said they slept bet-ter when they were tucked up in their caravan, mo-torhome, camper trailer or tent, rather than when they were in their ‘home’ beds.Frank & Kathy T both no-ticed a dramatic difference but they suspected it wasn’t just the fresh air that was helping them to nod off.“I am thinking that happy hour may be assisting here,” they wrote.Diane L didn’t mention the booze ... but does she still get a better night’s rest on the road?“Most definitely!,” she said emphatically. “I’m much more relaxed!”So, what about the minor-ity? Did they struggle with lumpy van beds, wake up in fear of a bikie gang campsite invasion, worry they hadn’t put the campchairs away?Actually, nothing quite so dramatic ... at least not for Stephen M.He doesn’t sleep better in the bush, but then he doesn’t sleep worse either.“I am the same,” he wrote.

Click to comment

Issue 53: August 30, 2013Where the bloody hell are

the nomads going to go?“The free camps of today will become the caravan

parks of tomorrow.”

The surging popularity of the grey nomad lifestyle is helping to create a caravan park capac-ity ‘crisis’.A new academic study has found that rather than expand-ing capacity to keep pace with the surging demand, caravan park numbers have plunged alarmingly.“‘Where the bloody hell are all the caravanners going to go?” asked the research paper’s author, Rod Caldicott from Southern Cross University. “Nationwide there are 10% less caravan parks than there were 15 years ago and that at a time when demand for RVs has gone through the roof.”The statistics are startling. There are now 474,000 RVs registered in Australia and the numbers are climbing steeply.Of course, developers building on prime locations has been a big factor in falling van park numbers, but Mr Caldicott says ‘outdated’ planning regulations are stopping new parks spring-ing up to meet demand.The academic’s study also focused on the changing site mix within van parks and their apparent ‘segmentation’.“Some owners looking for re-turn on investment are building family friendly parks with wa-ter parks and jumping pillows

and all the rest,” Mr Caldicott told the GNT. “However, many grey nomads just want a nice patch of grass to park their self-contained vehicles for the night, and perhaps pay $10.”So how will the ‘crisis’ resolve itself? Mr Caldicott says it is very much a case of going back to the future.“It all started in this country with people finding a nice spot and freedom camping by a riverbank or behind the sand dunes,” he said. “But then more and more people came and there was rubbish left, and people going to the toilet in the bushes, and damaging trees by tying ropes to them, and it needed to be regulated and so caravan parks sprung up.”However, with the move back to freedom camping, Mr Cal-dicott predicts some ‘hidden’ gems will become choc a bloc and the whole ‘who is going to fix the roads, who is going to take the rubbish out?’ cycle will begin again.

“I predict that in five years’ time today’s popular freedom camping spots will be regulated in some way by government,” he said. “There is going to be a growing demand for gov-ernment supplied, low-cost patches of grass.”Mr Caldicott also suggests that more new caravan parks will be built away from tourism hot spots, and we will also see security fences and boom gates being put up at city centre car parks where self-contained travellers will be free to spend the night.Basically, he says, when de-mand reaches a certain point, entrepreneurs find a solution.“You are seeing a backlash from some commercial caravan parks now and they are calling for freedom camping spots to be shut down,” he said. “But you can’t stop people ... it is a tradition that dates back to the swagman days. We are a society of campers.” Click to comment

Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au

Times

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Bev, 62, and Frans, 69, are on the road full time

Where is home?The road ... but we have bought a house at RV Homebase in Maryborough, Queensland, which is currently rented back to village management. We may settle down there one day!

What do you travel in?Southern Cross 8m fifth wheeler (called Stopalot) towed by a Ford F250. It is our full-time home so it is big enough to be comfortable and to carry all we want, but not too big to stop us accessing some of the great camp spots we want to go to. Obviously, it is too big to get into a lot of national parks and other bush camp sites, (and a lot of caravan parks) but we are happy with it. It does not have slide-outs so is a lot smaller inside than the big American fifth wheelers.

Time on the road?Close to seven years now. There is still a lot to see, places to go and explore, and we will just keep going for now.

Where do you like to camp?We love the peace and quiet of the bush so, where possible, we go to national parks and bush camps. We use free camps whenever we can, and caravan parks when we have to or when

it suits us. We have solar panels and big batteries, so if the sun is shining we can live comfort-ably without mains power.

Likes of the lifestyle?The freedom to go where we want, when we want and to explore this beautiful country. We have seen many wonder-ful places and met many lovely people who will remain friends for life.

... any dislikes?Being confined in a small space in wet weather, especially if the surroundings are muddy.

What and why?Favourite on-the-road meal?Smoked salmon risotto, with jaffles on the camp fire running a close second

On-the-road hobbies?Frans spends a lot of time preparing submissions to State

Seven years on the road and ‘Stopalots’ still have itchy feet

Nomads in Brief

Issue 53: August 30, 2013

TimesCharacters of the Road

Last week’s winning caption sent in by Tony F: Do You Know

1. Crabs Drill Sieve (anagram). Don’t lose your shirt here next week!2. I’m in WA driving from Norseman to Esperance. Which highway am I on?3. Is Adelaide closer to Coober Pedy or Melbourne?4. Which WA national park houses the famous Pinnacles? 5. In which NSW spa town can you take off an ‘e’ and still have more? (Answers on p. 7)

Grab a Cuppa and test your grey mattaCaption competition

“Is it sup- posed to be rolling back-wards?”

This week’s challenge:

Can you think of a fun caption for this shot?

QUIZ CORNER

Email your entry here

Bev and Frans say a fifth wheeler is perfect for them

Birdsville crocThe Birdsville croc, the 1.5m ‘freshie’ that has been living in the Diamantina River near Birdsville for up to two years, has been caught and transported 1600km to a Gold Coast theme park. It is not known how the crocodile, nicknamed DD, got to the Birdsville area.

Caravan ‘flipped’A Melbourne couple are lucky to be alive after a freak accident flipped their caravan near Broken Hill in New South Wales. The Toyota was travelling towards Menindee when a gust of wind hit the caravan it was towing, flipping it and smashing it onto the road.

Wicked wordsPolice have said they can do nothing to stop a camper hire company from embla-zoning the F-word on the side of their hire vehicles or from offering discounts to those who ‘smoke weed’. The Advertising Standards Board has received 39 complaints against Wicked Campers since 2008.

Fridge snatchedPolice are investigating the theft of $2000 worth of camping fridges and equip-ment from the open awning area of a caravan at the Southside Holiday Village in Rockhampton.

Click here for more entries

and Local governments fight-ing the closure of free and low cost camping spots. Bev likes to read and knit and crochet. We like bushwalking, bird spotting, and fishing.

Do you work or volunteer?We have been camp hosts, caretakers, volunteers on Out-back cattle properties, helped restore an 1860s timber slab hut, and we have also done a lot of house sitting.

What wouldn’t you be without?The diesel heater! It allows us to be comfortable in very cold weather.

Favourite camp so far?If we had to pick just one spot, it would be Osprey Bay in Cape Range National Park, WA. Be-ing able to snorkel just off the beach is fantastic, and to swim with turtles is a really lovely experience.

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Dear Editor,Re: Dog poisoned (GNT: Issue 52). Ross and Lynne, our hearts go out to you over the loss of your beloved Toby. We too have recently lost our beloved baby and know what a hole it leaves. 1080 does have its place in animal control and this just reinforces that we have to be very aware it is out there and hopefully signposted promi-nently. Hope Diesel, in his own right, will also now have a special place in your hearts.

Di & GregDear Editor,I have just returned from a three-month trip with my pet dog. Your story brought tears to my eyes. I can’t even imagine how you are feeling. Losing my mate would be devastating.

Joye TDear Editor,We and NZ are probably the only countries still using 1080. Poor judgment on our governments’ part, it kills indiscriminately.

Sally RDear Editor,We were travelling around WA in our caravan and also lost our little dog. Fortunately not to 1080 ... he had kidney failure. We had the greatest of pleas-ure from Sam (he was 13) and loved having him with us on our trips. We were absolutely devastated. We had him cre-mated in Perth and brought his ashes back to NSW with us.

Hazel BDear Editor,We lost our dog through 1080. Unfortunately, my husband had actually done the drop some weeks before but had forgotten about it. He was showing his sister around and ‘Tara’ was of course with them as she would not miss out on going in the ute. This was over six years ago, and we still miss her. She understood everything we said.

Issue 53: August 30, 2013

Times(GNT: Issue 52). We recently purchased a caravan for the first time. I have never towed anything much before so we both took the Tow Ed course and it was absolutely super. My wife and I came away with not only confidence and knowledge, but also aware of what can be done and when we need guidance. I would highly recommend this course.

Alan HDear Editor,One thing about Heidi, she knows how to put you down and out. Be like Jaclyn and give some encouragement. At least Eric knows his limits and is facing them. Always remember, if you can’t back someone will help. Just ask.

Ted S (Grumpy)Dear Editor,Being in my seventies, I knew I was good at backing my car, but anything on the tow-bar and I’m hopeless. So, my choice was a motorhome, just short enough to drive on a car licence and with a slideout for that extra space to make it more ‘homey’. I couldn’t be happier or more confident. There are some difficulties with not being able to unhitch and go sightseeing but there are plenty of tours to be taken, which outweigh the cost of insurance, rego and fuel to tow a small vehicle for such purposes. I have a battery-operated fold-up scooter for towns with good pavements. It’s not rocket science but it works for me! Work out your own abilities and you will be a happy camper.

Jennie MDear Editor,Go and do a course. I am told they make a huge difference to confidence and you are given wonderful tips. There was one in Perth – about $350 for a

weekend. Once you get on the road you will be amazed at how easy it all becomes. Even I can back into smaller spaces now and there is always someone to help if you are not sure what to do.

SpidaDear Editor,Re: Favourite song of the road survey (GNT: Issue 52). We agree with ‘On the Road Again’ song so much that my husband has it programmed and, as we leave anywhere, he just hits play – love it.

Karen MDear Editor,Love Willie Nelson.

Patricia RDear Editor,Unbelievable! Who cares what other people like. You sing or play what you like yourself, we don’t need survey for God’s sake.

Ireina JDear Editor,As a ‘muso’ playing country/rock for 40 years, playing ‘50s, ’60s and ’70s, I used to sing two of Willie Nelson’s songs (‘You are always on my mind’ and ‘On the Road Again’). As the leader of this four-piece harmony band (one female) and producing their music, not one Australian artist impressed me enough to ‘cover’ their music. However, I would have probably (if pushed enough) covered Lee Kernaghan and John Williamson’s ‘True Blue’ because of their natural Oz voices. The others used far too much American drawl for me.

GulfmanDear Editor,There is only one truly, truly Australian singer through and through and that is John Wil-liamson. ‘Old farts in Caravan Parks’ sums it up nicely.

John

Tara was a Shepherd cross, and it would be hard to replace her. We will eventually, perhaps. But yes we must be aware of 1080 out there. Unfortunately there are people who decide they don`t want their dogs, dump them, and they join up with the wild dogs, and then cause major losses for farmers.

Natalie & John LDear Editor,I am sorry for your loss. We too have lost a pet to deliber-ate poisoning. Have recently returned from trip through WA, NT, and SA, I was not just surprised but appalled at the lack of knowledge of 1080 and baiting. What was more con-cerning was the attitude of the owners that their dog wouldn’t wander or pick anything up. They looked at our golden lab in fear with her well-fitted metal muzzle. They were more worried she might bite than our warnings of poison baiting. Take no chances; even if not signed. The baits cat be trans-ported by birds.

HeatherDear Editor, Our condolences for Toby’s demise. It would have been heartbreaking to see. Many people aren’t aware that 1080 baits are often picked up by birds and can be found far from any warning signs. Most national and conservation parks use baits so be especially careful. We have found baits up to 10kms from the warning signs. It’s also a good idea not to allow your animal to drink out of creeks, as if an animal has been poisoned and dies in the water, the creek will be contaminated. Always a good idea to keep them on leads in the bush.

Karol FDear Editor,Re: Jaclyn and Heidi column

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the Your news and views? Email us at thetimes@thegreynomads.com.au Issue 53: A

ugust 30, 2013

TimesDear Editor,Give me John Williamson or Slim Dusty any day ... Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oy, Oy, Oy!

MaryDear Editor,Willie’s a LEGEND! My hus-band had one only cassette tape of Willie and played it continu-ously from Alice to Adelaide and back again! (Glad I wasn’t in the car though!).

Robyn Dear Editor,Re: Scrubba Washbag ‘gadget’ (GNT: Issue 52). Very impres-sive, especially for those small items you need to wash. So handy to have!

Diane LDear Editor,Sounds like a good idea but no thanks as if it only holds ‘smalls’ these can easily be washed in a sink or trough and you have to rinse them anyhow. Enjoy reading the Grey Nomad Times with all the interesting articles and comments.

Shirley LDear Editor,This sounds good but a video of how it actually works ie: how much elbow grease is required etc, would be nice to see before a purchase.

Peter MDear Editor,Laundry blues? Problem solved! Originally, I thought this idea would be great for soaking whites, but I have extended it to all our washing ‘on the road’. I bought a 20litre plastic esky from Crazy Clarks for $20. Sprinkle Napisan/ liquid washing in the base, add equal amounts of boiled and cold water, add clothing (I can fit two sheets plus in it). If you do this just before you head off for the day’s road trip, place the esky in the step well. By the time you reach your destina-

tion it will be thoroughly washed and soaked ready for rinsing and drying. Rinse in the kitchen sink or laundry sink at a park (which I notice very few people use) and you’re done. Happy (hassle free) travel is what this life on the road is all about ... Gottaluvit!

Lyne CDear Editor,We have a sink plunger that Ron punched holes around with a hole punch and a large bucket you just add water, detergent and a bit of elbow grease, hey presto your own personal washing machine. About 5 minutes for a normal wash, a bit longer for heavy stains. Cost about $10 max.

Joyce (& Ron)Dear Editor,Where do I buy a Scrubba Wash bag? Just what I need!

Jill SDear Editor,I would love a ‘Scrubba’ Where can you get one? It will take up a lot less space than my mini washing machine!

TrishDear Editor,One use for the bag would be to stick my missus in it ... she’s an old scrubba from way back!

Denis PDear Editor,I have seen some crazy driving out there by drivers of articu-lated vehicles (caravans/trail-ers). And after reading many annoying random comments, advising others on how best or criticising other drivers, I think it should be mandatory for all grey nomads to have either LR, HR, MC or MR licences. That will weed out the ones who have no idea on the road rules and on how to tow, reverse and park a vehicle. Yes, I have an HR licence.

Lynne S

Dear Editor Re: Kids in parks (GNT: Issue 51). Just because someone does not want to spend their holiday sharing with children and paying for the extras that the parks are installing does not mean that they don’t like kids. What a narrow minded view some of you have and the pot calling the kettle black. I have had kids and I am a grandpar-ent who adores my family but it does not mean that I want to spend my holidays listening to someone else’s kids.

Marilyn W (Fritzeen)Dear Ed,Regarding having tolerance to children and dog and “you were a kid once, too”. Yes, we were all kids once but I remember being on Christmas holidays and starting to get a little noisy at age 8. My father came out and gave me the one warning he always did to think of others and shut the heck up before I got a smack on the backside. I learned restraint and to be thoughtful of others, whether elderly or not.

GregDear Editor,When in Darwin talking to both locals and travellers, the common cry about Kakadu was “Kakadu, Kakadon’t”. All said it was only worth seeing during or just after the wet season. We took their advice and went to Litchfield, staying at Batchelor as a central point there and thoroughly enjoyed it. Pity the water temperature in the falls and waterholes was not warmer though!

Trish C

My camera and laptop will be THE items going into the van first of all – just wouldn't be able to travel without these items. My wife’s priorities would be her Kindle e-book reader and her i-Pad. Ben GDefinitely my Kindle. Saves the two tons of books I used to take. (Well, half a ton any-way!). Lynne We could not do without our teabags. Glenys & Graham Having recently driven on my own from Kingaroy to the Al-ice and back, I think I might have gone bonkers without my new iPod. Howard JI could not do without my camera ... and my husband!

Judy WOur small fold-up footstools. Besides putting our feet on them, they are great to offer visitors as a seat. Many a yarn has been told from those little $8 camp seats. Narelle NDrinking water and loo paper. Water is sometimes harder to find than fuel. I also carry a little butane stove for my es-sential cuppa. RuthMy iPad! (sent from my iPad) Kay U My ultimate grey nomad ‘must haves’ are an iPad and a Kindle. I would lighten up our food and clothing rather than leave those IT gadgets at home. They are the ultimate boredom-busters on rainy or too cold days to venture out.

Myra SThe wife! Someone’s got to do the cooking and feed me!

MaccaMy husband Mike.

Pat D

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In an NT state of mind It might soon be time for Australia’s wandering grey nomads to brush up on their geography knowledge … at least it will be if some South Australian ‘rebels’ have their way. The iconic Outback town of William Creek is saying it wants to secede from South Australia and become part of the Northern Ter-ritory! And it might not be the only isolated community wanting to ‘jump ship’! Read more here

Other website must-reads: A Winton welcome You can still free camp here, says council Load on the looseAre you in danger from flying objects?

Books to bush‘Generous’ grey nomads make a difference

Show your colours Get your grey nomad stickers and stubbie holders

SURVEYAre some ‘state’ borders

in the wrong place?

YES NO

Website highlightsIt’s simple, it’s hot and it’s not cooking on gas

The cooking revolution that’s been sweeping through the kitchens, campsites and cara-van parks of Australia is heat-ing up … and grey nomads are loving it!The idea behind induction cooking is brilliantly simple. Coils beneath the cooktop ele-ments carry a current, which creates an electromagnetic field. This current is converted to heat when cookware, which acts as a conductor, is placed on top. The stand-alone cooktops use around 60% less power than any other portable cooker and are light and easy to transport. It also means you no longer have to carry bulky gas bottles with you (at least not for cook-ing). But do they work? Well, our grey nomad ‘gizmo geek’ Phil Crockart took one induc-tion cooktop out for a road test and came back raving about it (see his verdict, right).In terms of cooking speed, tests have shown that the fast-est induction cooktop boils six litres of water in eight minutes, nearly twice as fast as gas and electric stoves.

Other obvious advantages with this method of cooking are that it is only the cookware – which must contain iron or steel to work – that gets hot,

Issue 53: August 30, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS Email here to learn more about placing an advert in our new classified section

DISCLAIMER: The Grey Nomad Times team is not responsible for any sale, trade, or other transactions between vendors and vendees or advertisers and respondents. All parties enter into transactions at their own risk.

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Times

Many nomads love inductive cooking

FACEBOOK FUN The Ice Van Cometh ... Cold snap shock for southern grey nomads Click here for more

not the cooking surface. And they can be used all the time … even on total fire ban days. Click to comment

The Ecoheat device, we purchased for around $300, uses magnetism to induce a large current into the cooking vessel, the electrical resist-ance in that vessel produces heat which cooks the food. The outstanding feature of the Ecoheat product is that it is only 800 watts max (about 3.3 amps). This means it can run from a 1KVA inverter or a small generator while free camping (the inverter is much more eco friendly). Be very careful of the maximum wattage as anything over 1KW may overload low wattage inverters and generators. The only downside is that you have to buy special cook-

ware, which is a little more expensive. However, a lot of cookware manufacturers are now producing induction pots and pans at a reasonable price. As a general rule, if a magnet sticks to the base of the pot, it is probably suitable for induction cooking.

The Gizmo Geek verdictPROS * Safe and easy to use * Cheap, easy accurate cooking (as responsive as gas) * The cooktop remains cool * Perfect for free camping * Will perform all cooking opera- tions, including frying & boiling * Easy to clean, light to transport * Heaps cheaper than gasCONS * Needs special cookware * Cooktops are a bit expensive (but pay themselves back in gas savings)

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Being able to travel Australia and experience the freedom of the open road with a caravan in tow is a dream come true for countless grey nomads. For a few though, the dream will ul-timately become a nightmare.Towing a caravan on unfamil-iar narrow roads that may be potholed and might also be populated with camels, cattle and kangaroos, as well as the odd monster road train, is not for the fainthearted.Sadly, there is barely a week goes by when a caravan rollo-ver or some sort of other acci-dent isn’t reported. Sometimes tiredness is a factor, sometimes inexperience is a factor, some-times it’s speed, and sometimes it is simply that high winds, difficult weather conditions, or buffeting from other vehicles has changed the equation and resulted in disaster.Grey nomads should do all they can to prepare themselves and their vehicles for the rigours of towing a caravan around Australia. Taking a towing course is a sensible first step for many but it is also essential that tow-ing vehicles and caravan are set up and packed correctly. Travellers need to be sure, for example, that the appropriate towbar is being used, a suitable braking system is in place, and that the rig complies with all weight restrictions.

Once on the road, one of the grey nomad’s worst nightmares is to have the caravan start swinging from side to side behind the tow vehicle. While sometimes it can recover itself, other times it can jack-knife with devastating consequences.In recent years there have been some dramatic improvements to caravan suspension that has improved ride and handling, especially under outback conditions. There are also a number of add-on appliances that can make a real difference to safety. Weight Distribution Hitches, for example, level out the vehicle/caravan combination, helping to restore steering and braking performance. Some-times, it can be wise to fit other sway control units as well. The National Caravan and Recreational Vehicle Towing Guide mentions friction sway control, AKS 3004 Stabilisers, and Dual Cam Sway controls

as three effective devices that are commercially available.Happily for today’s grey no-mads, technology is continuing to surge ahead in the caravan towing safety world. Al-Ko, for example, has just released its electronic stability system (ESC). This is able to moni-tor for any dangerous lateral movements and can then im-mediately apply the caravan’s electric brakes enabling it to maintain road position. Tests have shown dramatic improve-ments in towing safety, par-ticularly during ‘emergency’ manoeuvres.It seems then that the march of technology, along with better education, proper rig mainte-nance and improved driving skills, can dramatically reduce the number of caravan crash horror stories that still send a shiver up the grey nomad spine. What do you do to tow safely?

Click to comment

Keeping the van on the straight when it’s narrow

Industry Briefs

Issue 53: August 30, 2013

Times

Technology and driver education can improve road safety

Farewell to a classicVolkswagen’s legendary Type 2 Kombi van will cease production at the end of the year. The vehicle, which will have fond memories for many grey nomads, has been made in Brazil since 1957. This reportedly makes the VW Transporter the longest produced model in automotive history.

Move to space out Sunshine Coast-based camper trailer manufacturer, Australian Off Road (AOR), has moved into a purpose-built, 5,500m2 premises in Caloundra. The company, which now has up to 150 employees, started more than 13 years ago from a shed at the back of a house.

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No place like homeDear Jaclyn and Heidi,My wife Shirley and I hit the open road in February. We couldn’t have wished for any-thing more. The things we have seen, people we have met – just terrific. It was my dream to become grey nomads and we always intended to travel for around six months but it’s been so amazing that I’m desperate to keep going. The problem is that Shirley, as much as she has enjoyed herself, is now ready to go home and I can’t change her mind. I feel that if go home with her, I’ll end up bitter and frus-trated and life will be unbear-able. We’ve been married for 35 years and I don’t want to hurt her feelings but how do I suggest that I keep on going and that I’ll see her at home at Christmas?!

Frank

Trust me, you’re not the first to face this conundrum, Frank. I think there may room for compromise here. After all, you and Shirley are a partnership and there needs to be some give and take. I’m not sure that travelling on your own for the next five months is the way to go. She would worry about you for start and, while you may not think it now, it won’t be the same without Shirley by your side. I totally understand your dilemma but why don’t you suggest going on another trip next year? That will give her time to spend time at home and recharge her batteries. It’s great fun on the road but it can be tiring. Alternatively, if you are really set on this plan, maybe keep travelling for a month, or two at most, and then wend your way home.

Jaclyn

Now then Frank. Let me get this straight. Your lovely lady has had the good nature to give up her creature comforts and live your dream for six months. Now you want to ditch her and keep travelling while she is faced with paying the bills at home, doing the chores and explaining to your friends and neighbours how you appear to love the open road more than you love her? And all the while you’re having a ball, without a care in the world. Shame on you Frank for even thinking this. I’m all in favour of travel-ling for as long as you can, but a deal’s a deal! If I was Shirley, I’d get home and change the locks – or better still move home. But then you might like that! It would mean you’d be able to keep travelling forever!

Heidi Click to comment

Issue 53: August 30, 2013

The town of Emerald in Queensland’s Central High-land’s region is probably best known as the gateway to the area’s gemfields.Lying on the Nogoa River, Em-erald itself is attractive enough with good services and a num-ber of top attractions, but it is gem fever which draws most grey nomads to this dream-filled neck of the woods.The gemfields are a 45 minute drive to the west and smaller towns like Rubyvale, Sapphire, and Anakie are set up to stir up the fossicker within us all. Anakie also hosts the annual ‘Gemfest – Festival of Gems’ every August. There is an abundance of gemshops, galleries and jewel-lers throughout the area but, sooner or later, most nomads

want to get down and dirty by either taking a guided tour of a walk-in underground mine or by hitting the fossicking fields. There’s free camping out on the fields and you’ll normally find a bunch of real characters out there searching for the ‘big one’.If you’re heading out to the likes of ‘Graves Hill’, ‘Big Bessie’ and ‘Middle Ridge’ in search of your fortune in sapphires, you’ll need a sieve, a pick, plenty of water and a stack of determination … because many novices find the novelty can wear off after the first few fruitless hours!If you’re one of the unlucky ones you might just have to be content with a photo of your-self next to the ‘Big Pick and Shovel’. If, on the other hand,

Uncover a gem in enigmatic Emerald

thethe

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you do strike it rich and want a place to celebrate, it’s the bright lights of Emerald that beckon.With a population of around 10,000, Emerald was estab-lished in 1879 as a base for the building of the railway. It’s conveniently situated on the junction of the Capricorn and Gregory highways, and lies just below the Tropic of Capricorn.Among its leading attractions is Fairbairn Dam, just to the south. Opened in 1972, the dam allowed for the significant expansion of agriculture across the region, and large-scale coal mining within the Bowen Basin started soon afterward.

The associated Lake Maraboon, which covers an area of up to 150 km², is stocked with eight different kinds of fish including barramundi, but is most famed for the Red Claw Crayfish. Emerald was once a major sunflower producer and is now home to the world’s biggest Van Gogh sunflower painting on an easel. The 25-metre structure is made of 13.6 tonnes of steel. After sunflowers, Red Claw and gemstones, many grey nomads just enjoy a stroll through the town’s impressive botanic gardens, the Japanese Gardens or a look at the historic railway station.With camping available on the gemfields, and in caravan parks around the smaller towns, as well as Emerald itself, there’s plenty besides the promise of instant riches to keep grey no-mads in this fascinating area. Click to comment

“I’m sure I saw something shiny!” Photo: Tourism QLD

Strike it rich ... or enjoy the history, atmosphere and

charm of Emerald

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