Mt Perry via other hot spots

Shajota

Shajota

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Whitsundays Qld
CLQ had organised their annual ride to overnight at Mt Perry for 24/8 and I thought it another good opportunity to head away for a short 4 day weekend and meet them there for a couple of cold ones. I did not intend writing a full saga however I think it was Cosi suggested it might be worth a story and after thinking about it I decided a tale never told is a tale never heard so here it is. (just home this arvo so hot off the press).
Yes yes, I know, too many words and too many pics, but needed in the context and anyway, if I can't beat the Europeans for scenery I am damn well gonna get them with volume:LOL:
(I have also put it in it's own thread so those that get annoyed with my nonsense can easily ignore and not read - is that like Only Fans?)
Planning to head off Friday I normally head west and do a loop however I thought this time I would take a more direct route down and detour south just before Duaringa and head to Baralaba. I had never stayed at the Baralaba hotel and this was a good opportunity to remedy that omission.
It was the Eagle's turn for a decent ride so loaded up and off to first stop for fuel at Nebo.
Buggered if I know what you do these days if you don't identify as either of these 2!
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Anyway, enough of that, so next stop a quick top up and pleasant lunch at Middlemount. Corned silverside sandwich from the Servo and coffee from my flask.
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Quick stop to say G'day to me mate Dingo at Dingo but the bastard completely ignored me!!
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Now, where to go? Only a servo at Bauhinia Downs, No Alcohol at Woorabinda, "What's that Gertrude, cold beer at the Baralaba Hotel, left it is then"
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Weir on the might Dawson river at Baralaba...
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TBC
 
So, into town about 4pm and book into the pub. Moved the bike around the back and unpacked my gear into the basic pub room, went and bought a couple of apples and bananas from the local shop for tomorrow then a quick tidy up and into the bar. This is the only pub in town and very popular as the local eating place with a rep for good food. After a couple of cold sherbets, checked out the menu and the special for the night was Curried Lamb shanks on spinach rice. Sounded like it was worth a taste so went with that. Thought lamb deserved something more robust so switched to Tooheys Old and enjoyed a hearty meal. The bar was packed with everyone waiting for the jackpot joker draw at 8pm which was worth $2,000. Apparently they were going to keep drawing until someone actually won it. You get free tickets when buying a drink so of course I watched the drawn and checked my tickets just like everyone else. Alas, not me, but someone went home happy. The draw took a while so after a couple more Old's decided to hit the sack. A bit of noise at first from the bar but was tired enough to eventually crash.
A bit after 2am was woken by the damn fire alarm.
Jumped out of bed disoriented and remembered the light switch was in the far corner so managed to find it and turn the light on. The ceilings are probably 15' or more so thought I better find a broom or something to shut the damn thing off. Opened my door and realised that all the (interconnected) alarms were going off so nought to be done. Other's were coming out of their rooms cursing the alarms and generally milling around waiting until someone could turn them off. Then someone noticed through a window that there was actually flames in the bar!! One bloke picked up a fire extinguisher a couple of them got into the bar to try and put it out. They thought they hit the fire but couldn't stay in there as the smoke was too thick and starting to billow out everywhere. About this time we all realised we better get the hell out of there. I raced back to my room and noted with dismay that I had crap everywhere, chucked whatever I could lay my hands on and grabbed all I could and raced down the verandah through the smoke and dropped it out the back near my bike. Had some more essentials so had to race back hoping I could get in. The smoke was now extremely thick but made it back to my room to grab out whatever else I could and then raced back through the thick smoke while everyone was yelling if everyone was out of there. I guess I was the last to step off that verandah and hopefully only left a few things behind.
The other people staying were mainly younger blokes probably working in the area but there was one couple with a youngish child who was quite distraught and crying. Everyone was now in the rear parking area and heading to their vehicles while waiting for the firies to turn up. I had to try and repack my gear and then attach panniers etc and move the bike further away. Managed to pack up, put my jeans and boots on and moved the bike out and across the street. By this time the local fire engien had turned up but they only have one and it was a losing battle. Another truck from another town eventually turned up and later another one but was only for containment now as the old pine timber pub was well and truly gone.....
Baralaba Hotel 4pm Friday....
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Baralaba Hotel 3am Saturday
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A bit later nearly all gone..
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First light and not much left
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Most of the others had headed off in their Landcruiser utes but I avoid riding in the dark with limited candle watts on the Eagle so basically just watched the place burn down while talking with various people including the police who of course needed a statement. Also spoke to the owner who wasn't currently operating the pub but has been associated with it for over 40 years and he was very distraught but most relieved that everyone was able to get out. Also spoke with the current lessee who apparently has really got the place going in recent years and he was accounting for everyone through his booking records and most efficient. Later a lady came up and spoke to me also very relieved about no casualties and then stated she was the cleaner there and while she was now out of a job her thoughts were elsewhere. While there was no loss of life or injuries this is still devastating for the local community as the pub was one of the main focal points. There was only one bloke who came up to me and whinged that he would have to leave town because he now didn't have a bar to drink at, poor dear. Everyone else however was much more community minded. The owner had been trying to sell the free hold but he confirmed they would be looking to rebuild it. Hopefully the town gets a replacement asap but these things don't generally happen fast.
Anyway at first light I headed off, but travelling slowly because it is still a bad time for roos but at least I could see them and there were a few 6 footers hopping across the road......
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Interestingly when I first got to the pub I actually took a picture of the room and the verandah where I had to get out along, don't know why, don't normally bother with those sort of pics (premonition??) Maybe because the pine timber on the walls reminded me of the house I grew up including the high ceilings.
Pick down the verandah, my room is the one with the door open and had to head straight down the verandah in thick smoke and out the back,
P1020851 a.jpgAnyway, off to Banana about 40 kms away to fill up with fuel, get a coffee and a bacon and egg toastie. (I guess sleep will have to wait until the pub at Mt Perry closes tonight!!)
Of course by this stage, this interweb thing had done it's thing and everyone knew about the pub burning down.........................................
TBC (Haven't got to Mt Perry yet, anyone read this far, hope you can stay with me:unsure:)
 
So not a big day;s ride to Mt Perry and I had intended to do a few detours however my mond wasn't really with it and I headed straight there. Actually it was a very strange ride. I always love to ride solo in quiet contemplation without other noise like radios or phones and this leg I think I was a bit numb.....
On the way you do have to keep a watch for oncoming traffic,
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The bloke at the Cracow pub appears to be a good marketer!
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And the pub where you get this free parking....:ROFLMAO:
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Yes, Mildred, where do think motor mowers come from?
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The smoke in soem of the pics is from plenty of controlled burn offs at this time of year,
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Low level bridge over the Burnett river, flood prone, Nah!! only when it rains
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Just near Mt Perry is the Boolboonda tunnel. This is 192metre unsupported tunnel built through rock in the 1880's for the railway from Bundaberg to Mt Perry. It is currently home to a colony of bats but you can still drive through it.
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I was also keen to find the abandoned Mt Perry gunpowder magazine which was built in 1874 to house the explosive used in the local copper mine. Unfortunately it is now on private property and it is unclear if you can see it from the road anymore. I went out on some local dirt roads but couldn't find it so into Mt Perry, book in and get ready for a few quiet beers....................TBC
Still with me? I realise this is getting way too long, but perhaps the forum needs more trip stories.
Anway, "you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave":LOL:
 
The CLQ crew turn up a bit later and were keen to be reacquainted with Mr Fourex.
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I didn't take many pics during the night (forgot) but did get this bloke determined to win the table!
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A few coldies and time to order. I went for the special board again and noted they had crumbed Alaskan Pollock. Paul C claimed it was a big eyed succulent good eating fish from the deep cold water off Alaska, but other comments suggested some thought it said Alaskan Polyps. Anyway when it cam out it looked like a big fish finger but tasted good and food was out of the way.
Spoke to a local cattleman who knew where the Magazine was and we then spent a tortuous few minutes discussing various roads, causeways and creek creek crossings so I was going to have another go at finding it on Sunday before I left. He reckoned the owner, "Old Geoff" wouldn't be bothered if I walked on his property!!
So a good night, the CLQ mob always enjoy themselves, a few different beers and a couple of secret recipe shots and the bar was shut.
Up next day, neither bright or early but headed out to the dirt roads for another look for the magazine. Still couldn't find it and I think I was getting my Sandy Camp crossings mixed up with my Sunday Creek Roads and the stumps left from the old slaughterhouse further muddied the waters! I did, however run into the bloke from the bar who was in his cattle truck so I was in the right place, but he just vaguely waved his arm toward the hills and said it was over on those ridges, I said so wouldn't see where it was from the road to access it and he said "nah, probably not" Anyway I just like to find these obscure places but I admit this a FAIL!
I did find Drummers creek which apparently if I got this far it was too far....
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Back to Mt Perry to say see ya later to the CLQ mob who were checking a few things out and I was off up the Burnett highway to Biloela then decide whether to go left to Emerald or head to Rockhampton.
I was pretty late away so pub was open at Monto , tempted but not sure it would have tasted too good...
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Good historic village there but my bikes not that old
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By the time I got to Bilo it was a bit late to head West and I was a touch tired so headed for Rocky via the historic mining town of Mt Morgan. Was a thriving town in it's heyday as told by its buildings including this hall and the grand state High school.
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The Mt Morgan range is a nice bit of road and the road conditions were a lot better than last time I was on it, not quite the Alps, I'll grant you.
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Made it to Rocky and finally found a place to stay luckily only due to a late cancellation! I was trying to get home with no more dramas, but the parking outside reception was a bit dodgy and I used the sidestand which I don't normally do unless very careful because it doesn't work too well. While in sorting out the room I heard this big crash, dashed out and sure enough the bloody bike had rolled forward and crashed. No great damage but broke the mirror mount, the choke lever and bent the clutch lever at the pivot area making it hard to operate. I carefully bent it back enough to get it working hoping not to break it completely. All ok, into the room, was too tired to go to the pub so went to the bottlo and bought a few stubbies, a takeaway mean and just stayed in my room with an early night planned.
Up fairly early next morning and an easy run of under 500kms to home.
Foggy leaving Rocky and fairly chilly but knew when the low cloud lifted it would be 28 to 30c.
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The Eagle was humming as it had all trip and made it home early afternoon with no further excitement.
An interesting trip away but always a good ride.
I know this was too long, particularly for just a long weekend and I will try not to do it again, but I guess I had to finish the tale..........................
(I am always happy to read of other's trips.....;))
 
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Thanks Hamish, I think sometimes the human element can add something to our rides but appreciate writing a saga like that is a bit out there.
I did mean to say in one of the earlier posts there is a message for all in regard fire alarms.
I think we all assume they are false alarms and talking with the cleaning lady later she mentioned that they are checked regularly and sometimes some patrons aren't happy to be disturbed when they are checked.
I know I will treat any alarms with a lot more circumspection in the future...........................it does make you think...................
 
Great write up, a mini book and appreciated. It is special country there, I have been through it numerous times, occasionally avoiding the regular floods (8 metres over the bridge type stuff you are no doubt familiar with) on detours that show off the country more than from the highway. The early morning misty shots, I could smell the lemon scented gums just looking at the pics. It is doubtful the beautiful old pub can be rebuilt, timber like that is unlikely to be found today, will probably be replaced with a concrete block thing like most these days. Luck you able to trundle around there on the old twin.
 
Shajota said:
I did mean to say in one of the earlier posts there is a message for all in regard fire alarms.
I think we all assume they are false alarms and talking with the cleaning lady later she mentioned that they are checked regularly and sometimes some patrons aren't happy to be disturbed when they are checked.
I know I will treat any alarms with a lot more circumspection in the future...........................it does make you think...................
Click to expand...
Used to have regular 'Fire and Smoke' courses, required for work, and, basically, stayed in hotels for a living.
The instructors always made the point that it was better to be freezing in the carpark during a false alarm, than cooking in your room in a real blaze!
No matter how long a day it had been, I always checked the evacuation route before settling down for the night.
Found a couple of padlocked fire doors, in my time, and took the appropriate action.
Like my old man used to say "Fire makes a great servant, but a bad master."
He had worked with with an ex-Fireman who'd attended the Glen Cinema disaster.
 
Don't apologise for the comprehensive read, most enjoyable. Crazy story re the pub fire, glad everyone was ok as those things can turn nasty easily. A testament to the "nanny state" rules and regs we often scoff at I guess. Great photos and good to see the Qld boys in top form as ever.
 
It was remiss of me not to mention more of the work the fire crews did. While I don't think there were any injuries little doubt a couple of the firies from the 1st crew to arrive suffered exhaustion and fire/smoke exposure as they battled a losing battle. The effort in the face of defeat was heroic.
I will also try and attach a video which makes it more stark but not sure it will work. (The bloke in the foreground is trying to keep the flames away from 3 big gas bottles outside of kitchen before another fireman eventually was able to come over, disconnect them and and drag them away!!)
Did an inventory and left in the room was some clothing such as a t shirt, a light coat, some fairly new good runners, toothbrush and of course the fruit I had bought for the next day - nothing too concerning.
(I also note a lot of spelling errors and slip of the pen in the above but in my defence it was a quick "type and publish" with little checking on my part:()
 

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Good read Pete, glad to here you got home safe.
Good to catch up with you again, but not sure if Iā€™ll go to Mt perral next year, as I always seam to have bike problems when going therešŸ˜
 
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