QLD

On leaving Griffith I traveled thru the Darling Downs to Bourke.  Along the way I passed just west of the geographical centre of NSW:  Being only halfway across the State (from E to W), it brought home how vast this 'outback' is, bearing in mind it continues north thru QLD and W into the Northern Territory and Western Australia.   It was mainly flat, red soil and ranged from orchards/vineyards/intensive cropping up from Griffith in the irrigation areas to extensive grazing above that to natural low scrub - lightly cleared in parts - in the more remote areas.  There were emus and wild goats along the verges, with only a few kangaroo seen:  There was, sadly, plenty of roadkilled roos and also wild pigs, which must be nocturnal as I never saw any.  I stopped at a small roadhouse for coffee and further up went into a lookout over a copper mine. 

Bourke actually has a jetty on the Darling River - compulsory photo - and I took the opportunity to do a bit of shopping before settling into the caravan park in North Bourke for the evening.  The caravan park was a very nice one, with excellent clean amenities and obviously popular as travelers kept rolling in well after dark.  

In the morning I delayed long enough to cook bacon & eggs (muesli bars are ok when you want to get away quickly but...) then hit the road for Charleville, about a five hour drive.    Arriving in good time, I then turned east, continuing on to Morven, and a bit of good luck that was, as at the Morven recreation ground they have it set up for campers.  It is a very pleasant spot with emus roaming about nearby.  So pleasant, in fact, I've decided to spend an extra day.  The neighboring campers invited me for a BBQ and a chat, which made for a very social evening.