Bacon & Eggs at Lightning Ridge

It started like any other year... you see, my good mate Mongrel (Poul, Growly, Growlypops), and I have bacon and eggs with each other once a year - somewhere between BrizVegas and Canberra as I live at Caboolture (near Bribie Island) Qld, and he lives - you guessed it.

Last year it was Yamba NSW (and it was great - but that's another story).

This year it was Lightning Ridge.

The routes, talking, activities and itinerary planning started months ago and as the departure day arrived, the usual excitement levels heightened commensurate with the expectation of adventure.

Whilst the destination was the same, the journeys were two very separate accounts of their own adventure - this is mine...

STella was packed early and ready to go.

I left around 8.30am under magnificent skies on Thursday

My ultimate destination for the day - Roma Qld.

Breezed through Maleny - after some road works - then on to Conondale, Kenilworth and up the Mary Valley Way to Kandanga, Amamoor and Gympie

Then on through the South Burnett including Kilkivan...

Murgon, Goomeri and Wondai...

- where I had a thoroughly enjoyable Mexican pie at this little take away. I recommend a stop here for either this, or seafood to anyone! Tell Judy (the owner there) that the tall guy on the maroon bike sent ya! She is great for a chat, makes great coffee, and is a sensational baker/cook. I guarantee it!

Then on to first fuel stop at Chinchilla - still under blue skies...

A lot of B-Doubles and mini road trains later - not to mention a LOT of straight road, I hit Roma. My first night's stop.

Now, all the time I hear of people just breezing in to town and picking up a room for the night wherever they wanted - but I have always been too cautious and meticulous for this reckless, spontaneous behaviour! This is EXACTLY why I decided to give it a go this time - yeah right! I dunno how, but I picked the only small outback country Qld town that throws on “Easter In The Country” that goes from a week before Easter (this weekend) to the week after. Trust me - there was not a SINGLE BED AVAILABLE in this whole town! I was on the phone for half and hour to the duty roster person trying to tell me “Muckadilla should have one luv!” (Even though it was 40 clicks the wrong way!) Surat was looking like the only alternative - 80 clicks to the south! I made the reservation of a tent spot in Surat and was riding out of Roma when I thought I'd have one last throw at it at the 'Big Rig Van Park'. I rocked in the front gates to the office, and the balcony of the house above it was full of people at a dinner party. One the the people got up and asked what I was after. I explained my predicament and she directed me to the bit of grass where all the 'bottle trees' were. I asked what she wanted for it and she said “nicks mate - enjoy” - What a great place!

Here is what it looked like...

My camp....

The town was full of these bottle trees - beautiful!...

Next morning - left Roma for St George. Roads were straight and long...

Had a speedo malfunction afterwards where it seemed to indicate twice my actual velocity....

... it soon fixed itself.

I must have scared 27,000 birds off the road... however, this one zigged, when he should have zagged!...

Hit Lightning Ridge and met my long time friend and breakfast partner Growly...

... that's a 250cc Piaggio Scooter for the record, and he takes it everywhere!





In a moment of madness, and after tasting Growl's chilli schnapps, I was forced by him to wear a T-shirt, boardies and helmet, and proceed to the hot natural springs for a soak...

We froze our proverbials off getting there as the weather was inclement and spitting. The springs were fantastic and warm. We soaked for 40 mins, then hopped back on the bikes, dripping wet and froze our other proverbials off getting back to the cabin. For medical reasons we had to partake in another chilli schanapps to ward off frost bite!...

Here's the reason we're here...

Then it was off to the minefields...

Found a house made from beer cans and bottles...

After the 'Ridge', it was off to the next destination. Stopped at the “Hebel” (just on the Qld side of the border) for a beer. What a great, friendly little place...

Then - through St George to our next stop for the night...

That's my room on the corner - not bad for $20. It was originally built in 1864 (during the American Civil War, and it was only 102 when I was born!)... 

They said they didn't mind if we slept on the deck floorboards - after all - camping is free at the Nindigully!

And here is the reason we are here..... the ROAD TRAIN BURGER!!!...

This bad boy has a meat pattie that weighs 1.2kg! The bun alone weighs 1kg!

And those sadists put 1kg of chips at one end of the plate, and .5kg of fried, crumbed onion at the other!...



Oh. And did I mention the chicken burger.... we were lucky enough to be at the inaugural launch of it. There are FOUR chickens in this baby!..

We had an absolute ball all night meeting people from all over (as there are no 'locals') an totally enjoyed the atmosphere. Even Burnsie (the owner) chewed our ears off for 3 hours! It was great.

Met some other travellers on a Harley and an ST1100 with side car set up...

Thought about going to the dark side for a minute...

But quickly came to my senses...

Off the next morning through Goondiwindi and Texas to Tenterfield, and on to our last night's stop at the Riders Rest near Tabulam on the Bruxner Way - WOW! What a ride, what a place!...

I fully recommend this overnighter - particularly if travelling in a group. Pop (above) even had the fire pit cranking for us when we arrived! Awesome!

Next morning, it was through to Casino, with views like this.....

Then off home through Kyogle and Rathdowney....

Rode in to a massive downpour to welcome me home - but got there safely with no dramas.

I guess it's now on to bigger and better things.

See you round somewhere.

Cheers, Diesel