Day 4: Thu 29 Jun 23 - Taroom to Gladstone

Thu 29 Jun 23 - Taroom to Gladstone (Towed 325km) 

Weather: It was very mild overnight with the wind increasing. We woke to 11 Deg and overcast in Taroom, reaching 29 Deg and humid in Gladstone.

We drove away from Taroom at 0745, along mostly very good road towards Gladstone along the Leichhardt Highway. Having never been through Theodore, 97km from Taroom, which we normally bypass on the way to Gladstone, we decided to take a short detour through the main town to see what was on offer, and while it looked worthwhile visiting, we decided to save Theodore for another day. The Showground campground located on the way into town was packed with caravans and motorhomes, and while there was plenty of room, we were happy with our decision to stay at Taroom last night. We will eventually return to Theodore sometime for a look around and stay. 

Continuing on our way, the highway to Banana was quite rough, but at least there was very little traffic in both directions, making it very pleasant and stress free driving. We pulled into the rest area at Banana for our morning coffee and a short wander around, then we continued on our way to Gladstone - our destination for the next week. We arrived in good time at 1245, greeted by a hot and humid day for this time of year; 29 Deg, the hottest June day in Gladstone on record. First stop was to call in and say hello to Mum, then we drove about 300m down the road to the Caravan Park where we will stay for the next 8 nights. Mum doesn't have the room at home to park the van, and the 'Affordable Accommodation Caravan Park', while small and dated, is affordable and very conveniently located just down the road. We checked in, setup, then walked back to Mum's for an afternoon of catching and dinner before returning to the van at about 1930. I think a sleep in might be on cards tomorrow.

Given the at times strong winds, rough roads and many hills, I'm very pleased with the way the car performed on the way to Gladstone. The long range fuel tank continues to prove it worth, having to only refuel once on the way up from Canberra. Total towing distance was 1,573km at an average of 16lt/100km. I do need to look into the high Transmission Oil and Engine Oil temperature readings to find out if they are anything to be concerned about.

Unfortunately, only a few photos today, all of them at Banana. 


Rest stop at the small township of Banana, the intersection of the Leichhardt Highway which continues north, and the Dawson Highway east towards Gladstone.

War Memorial in Banana

The township of Banana is named after an old working bullock named Banana that was used by local stockmen to help them herd wilder cattle into the yards

Rest stop in Banana


 



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