April and Easter the perfect time of year for Cunnamulla the Outback and Outdoors!
Easter is always a special time of year for me. Not because it’s Easter but I totally love the weather at that time of the year. For me I think it’s the perfect time to enjoy Cunnamulla and Outback Queensland. The temperature while cooler in the mornings and later at night is beautiful during the day. Warm enough for a swim in the day and cool enough to enjoy a campfire at night even if it is just for looking at. Two necessities are insect spray as we have had a flood in the river and the sand-flies are breeding. The other is a fly veil as flies are particularly friendly now.
What’s Open over Easter in Cunnamulla and When?
It can be a little tricky and sometimes frustrating when travelling over the Easter period to find shops open.
Here’s a few places that will be open in Cunnamulla that should be able to service most if not all your needs.
Accommodation, Restaurant, Bar, Cellarbrations Bottleshop
Club Boutique Hotel Cunnamulla
Good Friday – Closed
Easter Saturday – 10am – 8.30pm
Easter Sunday – 12 Midday – 8pm
Easter Monday – 10am – 8.30pm
Map Directions Link to Club Boutique Hotel Cunnamulla
https://goo.gl/maps/eEd3JK7DjHq8BXRL6
Groceries
Holidays are a time where we all find ourselves chowing down and snacking as we catch up with family and friends. No matter how much we buy there is always something we need!
IGA Mills & Sons Cunnamulla – Groceries, Deli, Bakery, Meat, Fruit & Veg, General Merchandise & Small goods
Good Friday – Closed
Easter Saturday – 9am – 1pm
Easter Sunday – Closed
Easter Monday – 9am – 1pm
Map Directions Link to IGA Mills & Sons Cunnamulla
https://goo.gl/maps/eUebCKKFc44DZGXX8
Fuel
As you travel further into the outback you will experience some difficulty in 24 hour accessibility of fuel and petrol stations. This is particularly frustrating on public holidays as demand is low and wages high.
If you are travelling to or through Cunnamulla and not able to find an open petrol station never fear as Hatchman Petroleum has come to your rescue!
Hatchman Petroleum has a 24/7 fuel card machine so you will never be stuck when travelling. In addition to this the depot is manned on normal days of trading. You can also get your gas replaced!
Directions Link on Google:
https://goo.gl/maps/vhmgFcexkuH2
Newsagency
Cunnamulla Newsagency has restricted opening hours over the Easter Weekend so make sure you get those lotto's on and be there in time to collect the latest papers.
Good Friday – Closed
Easter Saturday – 9am – 11am
Easter Sunday – 10am– 11am
Easter Monday – Closed
Good Friday Tips for what to do around Cunnamulla
Great Read over Easter Holidays
If you are looking to wind down and relax with a great book over Easter weekend we must recommend “Unforgiving” The story of the life and death of Sam. The author is mother Carmel Beresford. Described by Brunette Lenkic* as …’a compelling tale with strong filmic elements..Unembellished language allows the reader’s focus to remain on the dramatic story. The author is especially good at evoking sadness; the raw emotion expressed in the part following Sam’s accident is especially moving. Although it is unusual for the dramatic high-point to occur so early in a memoir, there are confronting revelations in the rest of the work that balance it out. This manuscript tells a powerful story.’
Copies are available for purchase at Club Boutique Hotel Cunnamulla as well as Cunnamulla Newsagency and at Ellie's News Quilpie.
You can also order directly from the author for $39.99 including postage. Order Now!
Recent #Comments
Annabelle Brayley - Australian Outback Storyteller
9 October 2018
Book Review: Unforgiving - The story of the life and death of Sam.
I first read the manuscript of Unforgiving when Sam's mother Carmel Beresford sent it to me last year. I don't know Carmel and, at the time, I was editing Bush Docs with a deadline looming so I shouldn't have even read it but I remembered hearing of Sam's accident back in 2011 and I was curious. Once started, I couldn't not finish...
I read Carmel's newly published book again last week. It is, first and foremost, a love story about an engaging bush lad who clearly still owns the heart of his mother. While it was clearly her intent that the reader should know, I did feel as though I had intruded into her very personal relationship with her youngest son. It felt like a privilege on some level but, just as it did the first time, it left me feeling a bit unsettled.
Unforgiving is also an uncompromising, brutally honest recollection of Sam's terrible accident, subsequent death and the aftermath of that tragedy. It is easy to read but it is, by no means, an easy read. It is a confronting but very compelling glimpse into the often challenging, sometimes funny and occasionally terrifyingly harsh reality of one family's life in remote SW Queensland.
Once again, I couldn't stop reading it...
Details for purchase below...
Krysta Cini to Unforgiving - The Story of the Life and Death of Sam
Having a rum while reading this incredibly heartbreaking yet exceptionally well written book. Only thing missing in this picture is the box of tissues I have been through!
The love and strength Carmel Beresford shows in writing and publishing this book is admirable.
Jo Emery
This is a story no mother should ever have to share. One that describes how her baby was taken not by the hands of fate but by the careless hands the family held as friends and in trust. Carmel Beresford shared her draft manuscript with me some time ago, leaving me with not only the deepest of sorrow but the greatest of hope that truth could be found in the most harsh yet most beautiful landscape of Queensland. I’ve held Carmel in the highest regard as a professional and mother, giving her life to the children in the outback, their families and the land. I hope that Sam’s story brings rain to a drought for not one family, but the many his story will touch. Australian Story
If you have read the book please leave a review, we would love to hear what you think!
Trow a Rug on the Warrego River Banks
As Good Friday is a day where most if not all shops will be shut it’s a great day to throw a picnic rug out on the banks of the Warrego River. Look for mussels in the mud banks, fish and even yabbies’ to create your own Good Friday feast.
As kids, we would be kept busy for hours searching in the muddy banks of the Warrego for mussels. Catching yabbies’ are also a fun activity for all the family either with a piece of meat tied to a string, with a pot or if you’re tough enough bare hands in the rocks.
Once you have your catch there is a range of ways to cook but if you’re looking to not have much washing up and want to try something different we have a tip.
Pack mud around fish and bake it straight on the hot coals of a campfire.
Once cooked peel the mud off and the skin peels off at the same time leaving the beautiful white flesh.
Spuds are also great wrapped in foil and baked on the coals.
Be sure if you start a fire that you clear the surrounds. Always put out the fire with water as burying a fire often causes severe burns to the next person that comes along. This is most important in the outback as the dense hardwood timbers like Gidyea will remain hot for days.
Get a bit of Salt Bush from the Bushland Gardens.
Include the Fishing holes’ info and maps.
Darby Land Bridge Cunnamulla Eastern Side –
Travel through Cunnamulla on Louise Street which will take you directly towards Thargomindah.
Just before you approach the bridge there is a driveway on the right-hand side of the road where you can drive onto the riverbank and fish.
Darby Land Bridge Cunnamulla Western Side –
Travel through Cunnamulla on Louise Street which will take you directly towards Thargomindah.
Drive across the bridge and you will see a road directly on your right as you cross.
Take that road and park your vehicle around the tree.
Allan Tannock Weir –
Travel along Louise Street and turn left into Garden street (Follow the Warrego Riverside Tourist Park Signs).
Travel past the Cunnamulla Cemetery on your left and follow Weir Road for about 4km.
You will eventually arrive at the weir.
There are many spots both up and down the river where you can fish.
You may see the locals in the water scooping however we do not recommend as it is extremely dangerous.
If there is water over the weir do not attempt to drive across or you could be in some trouble.
You could also catch yabbies’ in the weir area over the rocks.
Be sure to ask a local and most would be happy to help you out.
You may even find the odd one that will give you part of their catch so be friendly and don’t be shy, it’s not the Outback way.
Map Directions Link to Allan Tannock Weir
https://goo.gl/maps/jXmeEmPHDoP4vbWs7
A - 8 Mils Hole – Travel along the Old Charleville Road from Cunnamulla and turn off at the bend in the road.
B – 10 Mile Hole – Travel along the Old Charleville Road from Cunnamulla and turn off over the “Killowen Grid”.
C- Tickleman Hole – Travel along the Old Charleville Road from Cunnamulla and turn off just past the house.
D – 22 Mile Hole – Travel along the Old Charleville Road from Cunnamulla and turn off at old gate post before gate.
Cunnamulla Water Tower
The Cunnamulla water tower is currently involved in a massive transformation as artist Guido Van Helten paints a full-size mural around the entire tower.
Each day his vision evolves and sets tongues wagging and cameras on auto pilot as locals and travellers express their thoughts on the work of art.
Local resident Chris Mills said, she can’t wait to see what evolves on the part of the tower that is clearly visible from where she has her morning coffee.
http://www.guidovanhelten.com/
To follow Guido on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/guidovanheltenART/
Map Directions Link to Cunnamulla Water Tower cnr Watson & Jane Sts
https://goo.gl/maps/mWyPs7G1pXUdkHrd6
Paroo Pride photography competition
Sandhills
Deer Foot
Gardens around town
Yapunyah about to flower – Bees
Keep an eye out for Turtles!
Easter Sunday
6pm Sunday Campfire Dinner Club Boutique Hotel
