Day 8. May 12 - 13 2024. Cunnamulla to Charleville.From Cunnamulla Man to Sgt. Small

We had planned a relatively quick drive of a couple of hours. Just bang it out and get there so we could have a good look around Charleville. Don’t underestimate the power of the coffee sign about half way into a trip. We were waylaid into a tiny town where a cluster of vans were hovering around a shop like Tesla’s to a charging station. It was an eclectic general store, caravan park, amusement park, and comedy show rolled into one. A nice way to break a drive looking at the stages set around the park to entertain, a shop ready to fulfill any of your eclectic needs in western Queensland such as gravy boats and remote control cars. It was all connected to a $20 a night caravan park with sites that had dog pens attached. Wyandra was a wonderful diversion from the bitumen, especially as they were also serving a good country Mother’s Day Devonshire Tea. After we had happily pumped some money into this one stop shop local economy, and took off down the road.

Our campsite was about 8k out of town with big sites, friendly staff, nightly fire/damper/bar open to all comers, and a site with a close to private ensuite, we quickly decided that we would be here for two nights instead of one. With so much time with only each other to talk to, a couple of nights sitting around a campfire with a beer provides a welcome distraction and a chance to chew the fat with other travellers. With $5 cans and everyone else looking for other people to talk to, it is easy to get into some interesting conversations. Around travel, places to visit and common places we have worked! Damper was shared around – topped with cinnamon sugar and dubbed “damper doughnuts” on night one, and Golden Syrup on night two.

Sunset allowed us to wander out the back and join a stargazing tour. As we are well away from any towns, the sky really lights up. Along with a kick ass projector, we get to check out galaxies, star systems and the moon while learning a bit along the way. With the guide’s massive laser pointer, it is good to learn where Betelgeuse is, how to calculate how far it is (trigonometry, actually), and that some people just really don’t understand the concept of stars and moons and solar systems. There was not one mention of the earth being flat, so I don’t think the guide gave us a balanced view.

The Weddings Parties Anything song Sgt. Small (Tex Morton cover) has been vigorously danced to by Linda and I at many a gig. Along with the actions that about being 16 stone and over 7 foot tall (see the poor quality video, but gives you a taste), it was a mainstay in the old WPA set and to be honest, the only time we have ever heard of Charleville. Our first sightseeing stop had to be the train station, and pleasantly saw signs that you should have a valid ticket to board the train. No sign of Sgt. Small, but as the train now only comes through town twice a week, there is little chance of stowing a ride these days.

Words for the fun of it.
I went broke in western Queensland in 1931
Nobody would employ me so my swaggy days begun
I headed out to Charleville, out to the western towns
I was on my way to Roma, destination Darling Downs

And my pants were getting ragged, my shoes were getting thin
When we stopped in Mitchell, a goods train shunted in
The engine blew her whistle, I was looking up to see
She was on her way to Roma, that was very plain to me

I wished that I was 16 stone and only seven foot tall
I'd go back to western Queensland, and beat up Sergeant Small

As I sat and watched her, inspiration seemed to grow
And I remembered the government slogan, 'It's a railway that you own'
So by the time the sun was setting, and night was going nigh
So I gathered my belongings and I caught her on the fly

And as we came into Roma, I tucked my head down low
And a voice said 'any room mate?' and I answered, 'Plenty Beu'
Then at this tip this noble man, the voice of Sergeant Small
Said, 'I've trapped you very nicely, you're headed for a fall'

I wished that I was 16 stone and only seven foot tall
I'd go back to western Queensland, and beat up Sergeant Small

Camp facilities – 8 /10. Not a personal ensuite but an ensuite. They placed us down the back in our own little area, right next to what would usually be an ensuite set up, and she said no-one else would know it was open. Feeling pretty special, it was disappointing when someone did manage to find it. An insistence on shower curtains persists, but hot water, room to move, almost a personal bathroom and real toilet paper here as well – highly ranked!