Cunnamulla Qld July 9th 2024

Woke up to bright sunshine and a fast clearing caravan park. We didn’t join in the exodus immediately, choosing to take our time before heading out into the fray.

As it turned out, we had a great run across from Bourke to Cunnamulla, only thing of note was the 10,000 caravans going in each direction. The road was really good for a long way and then turned a bit rough before we hit the Queensland border.

Found our van park easily enough and it turns out to be very pleasant. Clean, quiet, dry!

Cunnamulla is everything that Bourke should be: alive, clean, catering for the tourist. Welcoming even. They have spend the town’s wealth on the newest facility: a hot springs centre right in town on the banks of the Warrego. We went and checked it out, and checked ourselves in straight away for tomorrow, not going to lets this one slip by!

Warrego River. Cunnamulla Qld

Later in the afternoon I took myself off to do the Riverside Walk, from the visitors centre, along the river, over the bridge and a look around the one-time Police paddock. The Police paddock is where the wallopers used to graze their horses and keep any livestock that they had rounded up that may have had their ownership in dispute. The area is referred to as a Black Soil River flat, and is scrubby at best. 

Riverwalk. Cunnamulla Qld

Police Paddock Cunnamulla Qld

There are signs to suggest there are kangaroos and emu, and a plethora of birds. I saw none of the above, just the flat scrub. Except for two things: the Lookout, and a dry creek crossing.

"Lookout". Riverwalk Cunnamulla Qld

The lookout may well have been a cattle loading ramp in past times, but then nothing has to be very high out here to be nominated as a "Lookout". Don't think I'm going back out there ar sunset to takes snaps, probably get eaten by a snake. The dry creek bed was anything but! It looks to have had a timber and chain walkway across it, but the bit in the middle is missing and that black soil is like 'gloop'. Up to your ankles in a flash and sticks to you boots like you-know-what sticks to a blanket

Creek bed crossing. Riverwalk Cunnamulla Qld

Oh, there was another highlight... an ant nest. Meat ants for the curious.

Ant Nest, Cunnamulla Qld

Day two and time to take a dip at the hot springs centre. This is a great setup with 6 or so pools of various temperatures, five outside and one inside in a setup that reminded me of Bath, where the Romans used to take the waters, except without the columns or semi clad nymphs pouring incense and myrrh over our sculpted bronze bodies. 

We tested all the waters except the hot one which is well over 42°, just like Lightning Ridge. They also have a "quiet room" where one can relax on a bed and stare out across the river while having a chi-oxy ankle wobbling treatment. There's this thing upon which one puts ones ankles while lying on the bed. One takes the controller and it starts its wobbling motion back and forth at various speeds.  Back outside you take the plunge in your near boiling water of choice and soak the aches and pains away. You can stay as long as you want, come and go as many times on your all day ticket. I say well-done to Cunnamulla, I reckon its a winner.

Judy undergoing the Chi-Oxy angle treatment. Hot Springs. Cunnamulla Qld

And then a dip in one of the pools, about 37°. Hot Springs. Cunnamulla Qld

Hot Springs. Cunnamulla Qld

We rounded the day out around the caravan park camp fire listening to a bush poet, who, once he got going, was very entertaining. Apart from some Banjo and co, he recited a few of his own award winning poems, and told a few tales as well. Quite entertaining. "Did I tell you about Mrs McGinty's cat...."