Crystal Brook, South Australia, AustraliaWith a load of washing done on Saturday morning, we headed to Gladstone for a coffee and a tour of wherever Pam chose to take us. First stop was the railway display opposite the Gladstone Railway Station in the main street. The Station building is now privately owned which is a shame. But one has to be realistic, the State cannot maintain all of these old buildings.
The Station opened in 1876 when a line from Port Pirie in the west was extended to the town. It was later extended to Peterborough and ultimately Broken Hill. The town of Gladstone was an important junction for SA Railways. When the line was extended to Wilmington in the north and a line from the south extended to the town, it became a four-way station junction. All were built with narrow gauge lines. The narrow gauge line from Port Pirie to Gladstone proved outstandingly successful as it drained the most productive of all the new farming districts in 1877. The rail connections quickly followed to other areas.
When the lines were converted to broad gauge Gladstone became an even more important break of gauge station. The information panels provided lots of information. It was good to see that some of the rail line has remained in the town, adding to the story of the importance of rail in those early years. In 1881, freight railed between Gladstone and Port Pirie included 192,000 bags of wheat, (over 20,000 tonnes) 30,000 bags of flour and 1,500 tones of general merchandise. Return freight is recorded as 8,000 tons of general merchandise.
We discussed the possibility of the Indian Pacific coming through here on the way to Adelaide or to Broken Hill. Pam didn't think so initially, but the more we thought about it, we decided it needed research! I have found that the Indian Pacific does go through Gladstone on that railway line. It would go through the town just after lunch on Thursdays on its way to Adelaide and on Tuesday mornings to Broken Hill.
On the other side of the railway line the very old Booyoolee Hotel has been purchased and the new owners have established the Booyoolee Brew in the building. They live upstairs and their daughter operates a beauty salon from the upper level as well. The restoration and the manner in which the old building has been restored is a credit to them. It was so lovely! Local artisans have been encouraged to place their craft at the cafe, with no commission taken on sales. How good is that! There was a nice selection of goodies to tempt the traveller as well as the locals. P not P (Pretty not Perfect) sells resin work there and there had been some more sales.
The cafe was also decorated very tastefully for Easter. When we visited the owners were excited to share that they had just been granted a licence to serve alcohol. They would soon be opening for meals on Friday and Saturday nights and serving homemade pies and pastries with a beer for $9.00 during the day. Check out their Facebook page and call in next time you are near Gladstone. It is well worth a visit. I did lots of camera clicking!
Our last tour with Tour Guide Pam was to Bowman Park near the town of Crystal Brook. It is a public park located alongside the Crystal Brook or creek, and the Heysen Trail does go through the park. There is lodge accommodation for walkers on the long distance trail. The park takes in an area of 40 hectares and is named after the Bowman Brothers who settled the area in 1850. It is open to the public and has a great nature garden for children and adults! The garden has been created by volunteers and is managed by the community group. There was lots of signage about various trees and seeds etc.
A large grassed oval, gas barbecues and a reception building that can hired for functions makes for a very nice park. We had a nice walk around the area. There were people camped under the trees beside the creek. The park is open from sunrise to sunset. There were gates that appeared as though they were locked each night. The signage says there is a caretaker on site, so I guess that is how an emergency is dealt with should there be one. It was a very enjoyable morning. Thank you very much again Tour Guide Pam.
Peter and I went for a walk to the top road in the afternoon. Peter wanted to turn the main water on so he could wash both cars and caravan. He had them all sparkling by nightfall. The walk was okay going down to the creek, which is actually the Crystal Brook, next we had the rise to the top road and then we had to come back again! It was sure a work out! That last rise up to Pam's house certainly tried the muscles in the legs and got the heart pumping. I've now had a decent walk two days in a row!
Sue Dunne
2022-04-25
Hi to you both. I have already made two attempts to make a comment, sadly to no avail, however I am determined to win.Third time lucky so they say! Wow have you clocked up some kilometres, I think🤔 your caravan 🚋 must have wings! I have really enjoyed your many wonderful stories and photos Pam, well done 👏 you. I can just imagine how much you two Pams enjoyed your catch up, not too sure how much scrapbooking would have been done, (did you have a go as well Pete?) anyway you did a lot of sightseeing with “other” Pam as the guide which was great. Don’t know where you will be for ANZAC DAY, maybe you might come across a service somewhere on your travels enjoy 😊 your day whatever you do. Sounds like the bowling🎱 part of your trip is looming up which no doubt you are looking forward to. ENJOY! Travel safely, keep well and dodge that Omicron,🦠it is still raging 😡 here. Love from Sue/ Suzie. 🌻
Sandra
2022-04-25
Love the selfies Pam and Pete. It looks like you have had a very enjoyable time so far. I don’t doubt you’ve been getting lots of steps up. That cafe decor reminded me of a sign I once saw in a gift shop “You’ve just got to live, laugh, love.” :-)
pamandpete
2022-04-25
Good afternoon Sue/Suzie. How great to get your comment. We are in Port Lincoln and the bowling starts for us tomorrow. Dodging that Omicron to date, but one of our bowlers has tested positive this morning. Fortunately Peter and I have been on our own all weekend and not bowling with the others. So now it it time to be extra careful! We have slowed down since we arrived in PL on Friday. Hence a few blogs done. The more I get into these Travel Blogs, the more I want to research. Lots of love and best wishes to you. I hope you come back to read this comment. It is the only way I am able to respond, other than to send you an email. xxxx
pamandpete
2022-04-25
Hello Sandra. Nice to receive your comment and I have a cute little cushion with Live, Laugh, Love on it. It's a good philosophy for life.
Pamela J
2022-04-29
We certainly had a fun day and I just love your blogging style!!