20190829 Qld Angellala Creek Bridge to Wyandra

20190829 One town we haven’t yet explored is Wyandra, apparently a must-see town half way between Charleville and Cunnamulla and like most of these town the locals are more than happy to have you stay awhile and help support their town, but not before we stop to check out the bridge explosion memorial. 

The Angellala Bridge Explosion 
Classed as the most powerful explosion in Australian transport history, at 9.50pm in Sep 2014 a truck carrying 53 tonnes of ammonium nitrate caught fire and crashed then exploded, a police car travelling to the scene was damaged 200mtrs from the blast and the effect was felt over 30klms away.

It was described as a miracle that no one was killed with eight people injured but thanks to the bravery of six men who were awarded the Star of Courage for their acts of courage in circumstances of great peril.

The site looked nothing short of a war zone, demolition the road bridge and destroying the Angellala rail bridge that had stood since 1897.

Found amongst the destruction was this small piece of paper from the driver’s bible from Psalm 31.

The Pillars from the damaged railway bridge now stand as a memorial for the Angellala Creek truck explosion which is also known as heroes bridge, in honour of Anzac soldiers and of the truck drivers, firefighters, police and paramedics.

Wyandra came into life as a railway settlement, the town was once a major water stop for the steam engines heading through to Charleville.

First off, we stop at the pub for lunch and had a chat with the publican who had only taken over ownership a couple of days ago and are planning many improvements, one being opening up a free camping across the road from the pub, now that’s a good reason to return.

This old hut was once someone’s home that’s slowly dying but makes for a great photo of times gone by. 

There’s a free camp with a fire pit at the back of the school so we made it our home for the next couple of days.

After lunch we had a nanny nap and when I woke and looked out side, bugger me dead if it wasn’t Dicks bus sticking out like dogs’ balls, ha Des, Dicks here, so much for heading north, I phoned him asking where are you, when he said next door with a cackle.

30-08-2019 The days are surely warming up and the washings piling up so as Des has nothing to do, he decides to get his trusty washing machine (bucket & plunger) out and kill some time while Dick and I take a walk to the town’s beach.

We cross the bridge over the Warrego River then turn a sharp left to find "The Beach", is that Dick smiling?

I wouldn’t call it the ocean, but its sandy and has plenty of water. ‘The Beach’ was named given its appealing sandy enclave. In the old days the whole community gathered there to celebrate Christmas Day with picnics, swimming and playing in the sand.

Dicks sneaks off for a private moment and he thought I didn't see him😇and no telling him either.

He returns 5 minutes later without his shirt, Ooo, we have no paper. 😂😅

The old bridge over the Warrego River.

The old Dicks a bit puffed, he thinks I walk to fast, but I was walking slow for him anyway you need to walk fast if you're ever going to loose that gut.

Off to the pub for a few coldies, I asked for a rum and dry but got a rum and ginger beer, mistake No1, then the poor bugger was asking the locals how much for a glass of wine, well, it didn’t take long before I was given him a hard time, but in his defence he was new at this having only just taken over, but it made did make him laugh.

31-08-2019 As we prepare to leave locking all the cupboard and packing items away when I looked up and there was Dick driving out with not so much as a goodbye, now that’s bizarre, but then again that’s Dick.

Wyandra a Great Place to Visit