We left Hughenden this morning after a quick drive by the new lake area that they have created for the town. So impressed with what a lovely recreational area it is. They’ve also built a lovely walkway all the way around the lake so I imagine on cool summer evenings there would be lots of locals down there exercising.

We had to stop in Prairie about a half an hours drive out of Hughenden. There’s an iconic pub there which wasn’t open as yet but we thought we would just take a look at the outside. It has hitching rails with old saddles lying across them, a huge old chandelier hanging from the roof of the veranda and sundry other oddities. We were taking a look and taking some photographs when one of the doors opened and the publican stuck his head outside. He asked if we’d like to have a look inside as well which was very nice of him. He opened up and let us have a wander through. The pub is full of old hats and other memorabilia. The dining room looked amazing. We’d like to have dined there! He sold coffee so we thought we should reciprocate his kindness and buy a cup of coffee off him at least. He showed us a photograph album of what the pub looked like when he and his wife arrived 20 years ago. Nothing like it looks today. Just an old pub sitting on a big patch of dirt. They should be proud of all the effort they've made to make the town a stopping place on the tourist trail. 

The next little town was Torrens Creek. Again just very small, a few houses but some lovely old historic charm. Our friend, Laurel, had asked us to take note of Torrens Creek because she lost her great grandfather there in heroic circumstances in 1913. Apparently there was heavy rain, the river was flooding, and the train was coming. He rushed out to flag the train down. It was saved but he was swept away by the raging river.  

Charters Towers was our destination for the night and we arrived here just on lunchtime.  After a detour to the lookout we went in search of lunch.  Lunchtime on a Sunday is pretty quiet we found in Charters Towers. Although there are plenty of pubs to choose from only a few were open for lunch on Sunday. We chose The Rix. It was a good choice, delicious food and lovely ambience. 

An hour or twos walk around the centre of town revealed its amazing history. The large opulent buildings constructed during its heyday as a gold rush town in the 1800s are still standing tall and taking their place among the more modern buildings around them. Many of the multiple hotels that lined the streets here back in the day are still around although some have found other uses now. 

A trip out to Burdekin Weir finished off our day. We watched a lovely sunset, albeit mostly behind our backs, listened to the refreshing sound of water pouring over the spillway and shared a couple of bottles of wine. Another lovely day in the Australian countryside.