After our imagined!!!!! nightmare on the Opal Fields, we were happy to arrive at this place. Civilisation. Arrived early in the morning,bacon & eggs by the roadside, tried to get the car to start and tour the town, and it was no go. Spent a frustrating hour and a half, trying to jump start and all sorts of other things, gave up, jumped in Tonys car and toured the town. We were toldwe would need to take 2-3 days to see the place. We took 1 & 1/2 hrs. and were out of there. Went to take a bathe in the Artesian Pool, closed for cleaning when we pulled up, (supposedly open 24hrs.) but for 2 hrs. they were cleaning algae from the pool. We looked at it and said No Way. Simply didnt feel like getting in it when it was cleaned. Then checked out a few Opals, talked to the locals, saw the Info Centre, decided we didnt want to waste our $$$ or time, and left town.!!!!!! Perhaps we were cheesed off cos the car wouldnt start, it was stinking hot and we were worn out. Anyway, Lightning Ridge wasnt special. Very similar to Coober Pedy. From there we drove to St. George, across the Qld. border. Tried to free camp but werent allowed, due to pressure from the caravan parks, all free camping has recently been closed and the council actually pays someone to patrol the town to ensure you obey!!!!!! Everyone (except me) wanted to push on, BUT I was feeling really sick, plus we did need the car looked at, so we reluctantly booked into a caravan park (we are becoming tight arses arent we?) The next morning, I was off to St. George Hospital, where I was told I had a very bad cold/infection. Anti biotics are now kicking in and I feel really great. Found a mechanic who diagnosed the car, got it started, YAY, things were looking up finally. Checked out the town, did some shopping and then pushed off. Then we headed off to a lovely free camp at Surat on the Balonne River. About 15 other vehicles here and we enjoyed our leisurely stay. This free camp is provided by the local fishing club. A member of the club, an older chap, told us how they fought the Council to keep it open. Apparently the new council from Roma, 100kms. away, drove down into the town, wanting to close the free camp and force people to travel to Roma to stay in the caravan parks. The Fishing Club guys, barricaded the highway, parking their cars across the bridge over the river, the only way out of town, and gave these learned men, letters from the local aboriginal community (traditional owners of the land) and various other community groups showing that this facility needs to remain for the benefit of both the Community and travellers. Without this facility, people wouldnt stop, $$$$ wouldnt be spent in the town. They have a Cobb & Co Museum, an Aquarium, fuel, food, etc. Common sense must have prevaile., The councillors left that day and the town never heard a word from them again!!!!!!!!! Victory for small town, and us RV travellers.
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| The Movie Theatre. The Astor, a little worse for wear now. |
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| The Town Hall, a beautiful building in Surat |
Inside the Movie Theatre, I wish we had spotted it when talking to the locals, as I would love to have gone inside it and seen what was there.
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