Rubyvale

Mon (15/7) to Thu (18/7) - we escaped the Victorian refugee camp that was Yeppoon. We tried to go to Blackdown Tablelands NP but there was "no room at the inn" - damn grey nomads clogging up all the good spots! So we ploughed on to Rubyvale which is about 40km west of Emerald. Really easy trip, the road was great and we easily sat on 100 all the way. Pretty lunch spot at the Whistle Stop park in Comet. We are following the Tropic of Capricorn along the Capricorn highway.

The drive was through coal country and we saw heaps of coal trains - very sad for the environment.

We are at the Gemseekers Caravan Park. Lovely park within walking distance of the town which has one general store, one pub and many many gem stores all willing to sell you all manner of cut and uncut stones, not to mention the numerous mine tours and fossicking opportunities. A really pretty little town and we will be happy to make our base here for a few days and explore the area. 

We have "set up" for the first time. Here's a pic.

Tue spent exploring Rubyvale and surrounds on foot. We started off by walking about 1.5km out of town to the Heritage Mine where we had a tour of a sapphire mine with Jill, a real character. It was great fun. Then she directed us to a dirt road alternate route back to town which took us past a whole bunch of working mines - a real motley collection of machinery and accommodation options. Here are a couple of pics of the walk back. Sorry about the thumb in the one with Mike. I'm sure I could edit it out if I knew how.

Then it was back to the van for lunch and a bit of r&r. My patchwork blanket is coming along. Later in the afternoon we walked back into town for some coffee and strudel (recommended by Barry and Kaye). We met the most amazing Austrian guy who ran the strudel hut and the gem shop. He was quite brusque until Mike warmed him up and we ended up having a great chat. Here is a pic of the tropical garden setting at the Strudel Hut, which is completely at odds with the rest of the countryside.

We had a drink at the pub and booked in for dinner tomorrow night - State of Origin. Should be a hoot.