Grandpa’s Guide to Driving in Blackwater

A cozy evening to you my readers! I’ve been drinking hot cocoa and I realized that the people who discovered chocolate are truly lucky. Well, at this age, I still like eating chocolates —but I make sure that I keep it to a minimum. Remember the lyrics of the song of the Spice Girls? “Too much of something is bad enough”. And I truly believe in that. *laughing* Nothing’s better than keeping your health in check.

A few months ago, I visited a place called Blackwater. Sounds scary huh? But no. The place was really remarkable! And speaking of fun, I met a fellow travel fanatic who was really into adventure. And funny thing was that we both had rented cars, so we ended up cancelling one and shared the other. Problem was, we were both eating chocolate in the car and it melted all over the seats so we had to buy some products to clean it before returning it. Oooops! And well, my new friend was there for a vacation and so was I, so we decided to explore Blackwater together. Actually, it’s fun to travel alone. But it’s a lot better to travel with a companion. And funny thing was that we both had rented cars, and we booked it in the same site (vroomvroomvroom.com.au). Well, I guess Vroom Vroom Vroom really has a good reputation with people who likes to travel and avail rented cars —serendipity.

Blackwater is a town in Central Queensland, Australia. It has a population of 5,031. It is also a town of significant mining area —it has 6 major open cut coal mines and an underground dot the landscape around the town thus providing important employment opportunities.

Blackwater was said to be named after Blackwater Creek which apparently was said to be observed to flow with black water. And in 1845, coal deposits were found in the creek.

And now about my wonderful trip; my buddy and I visited these wonderful places in Blackwater:

1. Blackdown Tableland National Park

The Blackdown Tableland National Park is about 576 kilometers northwest of Brisbane. It is a 600-meter sandstone plateau which rise abruptly from the plains below. Compared to the surrounding plains, the plateau has a more temperate climate which supports the growth of open forests, ferns, heath, and a variety of plants and animals where a number of them are not found anywhere else!

Rock arts of the Ghungalu people can also be found around the park.

2. Bedford Weir

It is about 25 kilometers north of Blackwater.

Bedford Weir is a man-made impoundment located on the Mackenzie River. The place is ideal for activities such as boating, skiing, and fishing (fishes such as Barramundi and Saratoga). And every September, a Saratoga fishing competition is held in the area.

Bedford Weir is also an ideal picnic spot because wood fire barbecues and a children’s playground are also available in the area.

We had a lot of fun in Blackwater. Just a reminder, don’t forget to bring cameras. The place is beautiful!

“It’s a lot better to travel with a companion”. This doesn’t only apply to traveling to other places. This thought is very true regarding our lives. No man is an island. That’s why we have friends and acquaintances.

-Grandpa Ben