Travel Australia Podcast by The Feel Good Family

LONGREACH Part 2! The BEST Outback Experience & The Muddy Duck!

• Paul & Katie Guerin • Season 9 • Episode 6

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This week we start our adventure at The Muddy Duck campground, just outside Longreach, where the Thompson River quietly flows and the night sky feels within arm's reach. We reminisce about a family road trip across the United States in a dusty old Winnebago and draw parallels with our current adventure DownUnder. The Muddy Duck’s growing popularity speaks volumes, and we chat about their exciting expansion plans, giving you more reasons to consider this outback destination for your next camping trip.

All aboard the historic 'Silver Bullet' train for an unforgettable sunset ride that combines the charm of the Outback with passionate Aussie characters. Jasper, our little train enthusiast, keeps the journey lively with his infectious excitement. The knowledgeable staff guides us through the endless outback landscape where kangaroos and emus make their cameo appearances. As the sun dips below the horizon, a surprise karaoke session breaks out, leaving us with a train whistle as a souvenir and memories that will remain long after the journey ends.

Our road trip takes a lively turn at the Well Shot Pub in Ilfracombe, where history and entertainment collide in the best possible way. Experience the thrill of a pub game that sees young Jasper aiming for the cash-laden ceiling, adding a unique element of fun to our Outback adventure. This iconic pub, rich in heritage, sets the stage for a heartwarming fundraising event in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. As we prepare for new adventures, like reconnecting with friends on Keppel Island or visiting the idyllic hot springs, we invite you to join us in embracing the open road where the dreams are big, and the trails are endless.

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Speaker 1:

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to Season 9, Episode 6 of the Family Travel Australia podcast. We are Paul, Katie and Jasper from the Feel Good Family. Join us as we explore this great country, Australia, its people, places and cultures.

Speaker 2:

Yes, welcome to the Family Travel Podcast, where we share the latest in RV industry news road trip travel, caravanning and camping, product reviews, where to go, what to do, and so much more. Thanks for joining us.

Speaker 1:

This week we stay at the Muddy Duck, we enjoy an authentic Outback Aussie experience, jasper gets to drive a heritage train and we check out the Well Shot Pub.

Speaker 2:

Lots of fun, lots of fun out here in Outback Queensland, and again we're discovering new places and new experiences this week, which we just absolutely love.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, as the industry has grown over the last few years and more and more people are exploring the world's best backyard Australia our backyard we've noticed that there's a lot more investment into these outback towns. You know there's been plenty of infrastructure grants and tourism grants and all sorts of stuff, but one thing that we have loved is the improvement in the amenities and facilities, whether that is from a roadside stop a truckie stop you know those 24-hour overnight stays a truckie stop you know those 24-hour overnight stays or people just like us. You know Aussie families that have taken the punt and the risk in investing into building their own campsite and welcoming people in. And that's what has happened here. 10 minutes west of Longreach, as though you were heading on out to Winton and beyond there is the Muddy Duck. I love this name.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, look, it's not your usual caravan park on the banks of Longreach's famous Thompson River, and what they've done and what they're doing is just awesome as an alternative offering to staying straight into the centre of town where all of these incredible tourism experiences are located, but you're out just far enough away to feel really peaceful in and amongst the bush, and we absolutely loved this stay. It's quite a huge property, isn't it Paul?

Speaker 1:

It reminds me of my family all travelled together in the US. Over there in the United States, as a 15-year-old that's going back a while, Dale. Young, unaffected, innocent. I learned a few things in the States.

Speaker 2:

I can tell you that, katie, I bet you did. Maybe that's for a different kind of podcast.

Speaker 1:

I did get to go to school there as a freshman. We don't care what you say, ars man just talk.

Speaker 2:

Yes, I bet that would have been well. I know it was a life-changing experience for you having all of those experiences at such a young and impressionable age.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, look, I found my self-esteem, I found some confidence, I found my ego and I found that American girls are gorgeous.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, there's a song about that, isn't there?

Speaker 1:

Yes, there is. I wish they all could be yes. Anyways, let all could be yes, anyways, let's move on.

Speaker 2:

How did we get from that, from Muddy?

Speaker 1:

Duck In America. My family traveled around in a motorhome a dusty old Winnebago I think it was, 28 foot, slept eight. There was nine of us, so it was a little squishy and we got to go to some incredible parks even way back then, you know. We got to go to some incredible parks even way back then, you know. And they do everything large and so this is really set up for like 300 campers. They've had a booming second season and have realized that they need more to offer, so they are currently seeking out some more land to expand on. So pretty amazing success.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, look, I really liked the layout that they've put in here with the various rows. I suppose you could say, and you know, depending on what row you're on, depends on what angle your setup is parked on. And what I really liked about this is that the sites were large. You didn't feel like you were on top of your neighbor.

Speaker 1:

No drive-thru.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that's right, they were all drive-thru, very, very easy access hedging or some sort of Australian native natural garden bed in between to allow for a little bit of privacy, and I think that's only going to improve as they mature.

Speaker 1:

So I mean it's looking very new at the moment, but it's really well thought out. They're future-proofing themselves.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely. They've got great amenities and facilities in here and, as Paul mentioned, they're expanding and they are right on the banks of the Thompson River, so they have a lovely little communal campfire area. They also have some kayaks and paddleboards that you can hire to head out on the river as well, and they're very, very easy as far as a range of different walks that you can do if you're an active person, if you want to get out and about, go across the river. Actually, there's a great free camp across well low-cost camp across the river, isn't there, paul?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, look, we do have to give this a mention because we will stay there next time and possibly split our time. Look, we're going to get asked and we do get asked how long you should stay in these locations, Given the world-class experiences and the amount of experiences that you can do in long reach. If you can stay for three nights, you'd run around crazy and not get it done. If you can stay for five nights, perfect. Still, give you some time out, some really good pace to experience the real town, the community and the characters that come with Outback Queensland places like this, and that way you could probably pull up to Muddy Duck for a couple of nights and you could stay over in Apex Park, the community campground. It also supports the community, which is great, Pretty well. The services there are like this it's $10 a night or $40 for a week. They have a massive overflow area. Now, Muddy Duck I think it cost gee, I don't know, it was up over $50.

Speaker 2:

Yes, I think you're right. From memory it was, I guess, on the end of of what we generally pay when we're staying in a caravan park. But you know we're always happy to support the new businesses like this and the locals you know that are that are absolutely giving it a crack. The other reason we opted to stay here at muddy duck at this time is because it's hot. It's hot and we have access to power and water here at Muddy Duck, so one of the first things we did when we rolled in was hook in and get that air conditioning on.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's perfect, and that really is. It comes down to what you need as a traveller. For us, 600 amp hours of lithium batteries, 1280 watts of solar on the roof. We can run that air con probably for a good few hours before we would be needing to plug in, but sometimes it's just easier.

Speaker 2:

Oh, absolutely, and particularly at this time of year too we're coming through. It is quickly approaching summertime here in Australia and in these outback parts, you know, you can have such a wide variance of temperature as well. Still very cool overnight, you know, pull the doona up kind of weather which we absolutely love, and then the days heat up extremely warm.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, there is a 20 to 25 degree Celsius variant between low and high temperatures quite often out here. Now back to the Apex Park. So there is potable water available where you can fill your tanks. There is no power water available where you can fill your tanks, there is no power. There is large green grassy area right on the banks opposite Muddy Duck, something I do think Muddy Duck could take a leaf out of Apex book, is they?

Speaker 2:

have a sandy beach, whereas Muddy Duck is a muddy duck beach. Yes, yeah, you're right, paul, because it's got that little Apex park there on the other side of the river. It's a beautiful spot, particularly for families, and we saw a lot of families over here in this low-cost campground, big grassy area where the kids can run around and play, and then that sandy bank on the shore of the river certainly makes things a lot more accessible, a lot safer.

Speaker 1:

Definitely. And then there's free barbecues, massive covered area and there is this access, as you said, and it's a great fisherman's paradise here as well. Huge amount of species of fish that you can catch here. So really a wonderful opportunity to be able to maybe have a couple of nights over there for low cost and then, you know, do the luxurious muddy duck, plug and play.

Speaker 2:

Go and have your hot shower, darling their amenities are second to none.

Speaker 1:

So, look, they've really invested in it and so yeah, good on them.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely. And look, we have to give them a little shout out. We did arrive fairly late in the afternoon. They shut up at five o'clock. Well, they certainly were at the time we were coming through and the beautiful staff waited it out for us. They were all too happy for us to arrive, which we did about 20 minutes later, with still big smiles and friendly welcomes. So thanks very much, guys. We had a great stay and it was an excellent base for us to really be able to get out and experience a couple of things in Longreach. You know we're here for probably not as long as we'd like, but good reason to be able to come back. And, as we mentioned last week, we're just incredibly overwhelmed with the offering that Longreach has for travellers and tourists. There are so many experiences to choose from.

Speaker 1:

There, sure is. And last week we had the Qantas Founders Museum, the Wing Walk and Evening Light Show Sensational. This week we've got something very authentic Show sensational. This week we've got something very authentic the Aussie Outback Tours, silver Tail Sunset Rail Dinner and Show. Thank you, smithy and Sue, this was awesome.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, look, I think Smithy and Sue are as much a part of the Australian Outback, you know, as Longreach is in Outback Queensland. Here they've been operating since the beginning of time. It feels like you know when you get to know them and you read their story, and what they have on offer is truly incredible. They obviously love what they do and that shines across every element of their experiences.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, they've created, I think, offers that include tagalongs, you know, really extended long trip bus tours, one-off special experiences, authentic Outback experiences like what we're about to talk about now, and around that success, I guess, draws in a really good group of people. So, either through attracting good people or training up, you know, the younger sort of generation of presenters and you know, and team members, they really are drawing out this passion for Australia and Australian storytelling and that's what we loved about this whole experience. So we headed into Longreach, pulled up to the beautiful Heritage Railway there, longreach Railway, built back in 1916. You come around onto the platform and boom, there it is. As Jasper said, it's the Sylvan Pullet. This beautiful old 2000 class Heritage Motor Rail is going to be our journey for the next couple of hours before the dinner and show. We loved everything about this.

Speaker 1:

Now, jasper obviously we've mentioned many times is a ferroquinologist. Oh, yes, good, remembering Tom remembering, which is a train enthusiast. He loves train spotting, he loves everything about trains and so, geez, face was booming and there's nothing better as a parent to witness that joy through your kids is there oh, just, it is just magical and it it definitely rubs off on you as a big kid, you know, and you find that inner joy and excitement.

Speaker 2:

And look, it's a sweet little two carriage silver bullet, as Jasper said, and on we board with our free. We even got those really great reusable wine glasses that come in the cooler style. You know, you put a little lid on them, they're great for camping. So we picked ourselves up a couple of those and on we hopped and look, we would have only been on the train five or ten minutes and the staff are coming around. And hats off to the staff, coming around with their menus so that you could choose your selection of beverages, and of course they had everything from, you know, juices and soft drinks through to beers and wines, and watching the staff pour the wine in particular was very impressive. Now I challenge you if you're on a train and you have access to a bottle of wine, I challenge you to pour a glass, because it's not an easy thing to do.

Speaker 1:

Not when you've got this old rickety girl chugging down the tracks.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that's right. But look, the staff were fantastic. As we mentioned, it always is about the people that really make or break an experience, no matter how good the experience itself is. And we were certainly treated wonderfully. And the train drivers, in particular Robert and Mick, were full of excellent information not too much but enough to really keep you engaged and entertained. And we got the the history not only of Longreach and the region, but also the, the wildlife and the environment, the local culture, the history of the rail you know that we were traveling on and and then we got to pull up stumps and look out over the floodplains and watch. If you've ever taken in an outback sunset, you'll know it's completely different from anywhere in the coastal parts of the country. The colours, the way that the light reflects off the landscape around you just sensational.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I love how this was created. You know that you get this almost 45-minute journey out through the floodplains, over a little bridge over the River Thompson and then, as you say, you pull up Stumps at halfway mark I guess and there's a bit of a water area course that sort of comes out through the scrub and then, of course, with water comes wildlife. So they've kind of picked the right spot. You know, kangaroo kind of bounces in and little emus running over there and then there's a wild pig that came in and that color is just getting richer and richer. As the sun sets. More drinks come out.

Speaker 1:

Rob decides well, let's have a little bit of a karaoke sing-along and put some, some tunes, uh, that that come through the pa and really wonderful, uh, not only for the adults but, yeah, you know, as you say, for the kids as well. They really connected with each and every traveler that was on board. They come around with different offering on souvenirs which you feel kind of like you can't resist because you're in the moment, you're already a drink in and sure enough, there's a wooden train whistle handcrafted for $12. Let's get it, our little train enthusiasts will love this. Jeez, talk about a $12. Regret, katie.

Speaker 2:

Look, let's just say he has definitely got use out of this train whistle and he absolutely loves it. I'm not sure about the rest of the passengers on the train.

Speaker 1:

Well, you've got to think. There's probably in total a half a dozen kids on this train, all with the whistle now.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I actually think it was a little inside joke between Rob and Mick, the staff on the train. Let's see how many of these whistles we can sell today to really upset the parents.

Speaker 1:

Look as conductors and commentators. They were both great, but really want to give a special mention here to Rob his engagement with Jasper, even that he bent down to talk. You know we see this often because I guess we've worked in this space for so long the different way to relate to kids whether that's through placing interpretive signage a little bit lower, having sort of peek through windows at their height so they can see into an enclosure, or, you know, if you're at a science museum, but having people that are aware of where kids level is at and being able to communicate clearly with them is a special gift. And Rob just did this. Naturally, I think he's a grandparent himself, he is, he is.

Speaker 1:

But then to invite all of the kids, one at a time, up. Jasper very fortunately he was the first one up because we were sitting at the back of the carriage and this would be a good little hot tip for us is get on at the back of the carriage on the way out and then that way on the way in, you're right at the front, you've got this full view out through the front window of this Heritage rail motor and you can see all the action. And then, if you've got kids, then boom, they're into the passenger or assistant driver's seat. Jasper got to use the real whistle. Yes, that massive horn. It blasted through him, it scared him. He even knew what was coming. He didn't know.

Speaker 1:

But then he gave it another crack and he got to take the handbrake off and Rob really then started to engage with him. So what do you want to be when you're older, jasper? Well, I want to be a train driver, he said. Well, you need to get an apprentice and start talking to him about different pathways of employment, which is pretty wild to watch, you know, as a parent sitting back as an observer watching your kid communicate so easily and freely like this.

Speaker 2:

We loved it. Joy that was just emitting of Jasper as he was sitting up front riding the rails with Rob and talking all things trains was just awesome. And to also give us a moment to be adults, kicking back, having our lovely little platter of canapes that was served to every guest and a glass of wine was just awesome to every guest and a glass of wine was just awesome. Now you can do this experience on the rails as a separate experience. If you just want to head out for a couple of hours in the afternoon watch the sunset, then you can book this by yourself. However, we opted to stay on and head to Smithy's Outback Dinner and Show, which we had heard so many wonderful things about. And so, what is fantastic?

Speaker 2:

As the sun sets, the train starts moving again. It's only a few minutes before they pull up, basically in the middle of nowhere, and those guests who are heading on to the Outback Dinner and Show hop off the train and are picked up by a lovely coach with, again, a really lovely bus driver, who took us a short 500 odd metres down the road to where Smithy's Outback Dinner and Show is located. And look, talk about stepping into the pages of an Australian bush poem. I mean, this is open air, amongst the gum trees, starry nights, you know, on the banks of the river. Like you, couldn't have found a better location to enjoy a meal that is completely cooked over the campfire. You know, catering for gosh Paul, how many people would have been at the dinner.

Speaker 1:

I would think they probably at max packs, could have 120, 140 people there. We probably experienced it with 70.

Speaker 2:

There you go.

Speaker 1:

I mean right on the end of the season, so it wasn't too busy and plenty of smiling team members and they just rotate as they walk you through and they're introducing you to every staff member and the entertainment as you're being guided to your table Beautiful, warm, lighting, those old kind of miners' lamps that have warm, coloured lights, if you know, not that stark white. So, yeah, very warm, welcoming you straightaway. Feel like, oh, this is pretty special.

Speaker 2:

Yes, well, even the fact that as we disembarked the bus, we were met by Sue and some of the other staff who were there to look after us on the night, who were all smiling, as Paul mentioned. And then we got a personal introduction to all of the other staff members there, including the chef who made the meal for all of us over the campfire, which just blows my mind. I don't even know how you cater for that many people.

Speaker 1:

She'd get good at it, I think, when that's what you're doing every night. Yeah, and nailed it.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely. And then you're sitting around I guess you know in the outdoors, this lovely little shack for want of a better word, the old Australian tin shed kind of set, and they have various entertainers who come in and provide the nightly entertainment for the dinner and show. And we were very fortunate even Rob and Mick on the train said to have Drew Blundell performing the night that we were at the dinner and show and, look, he's fantastic. I have to be honest, neither Paul nor I had heard of Drew prior to this night, but his voice was incredible and his selection of songs that he performed for us. You know everything, ranging from, you know, the famous Australian songs that we all love to sing to to many old school songs that everybody knows the words to. He opened up for requests as well. Jasper put his hand up a few times. I think he requested Country Roads. He did.

Speaker 1:

Yes, and then he sang Loud and Proud, yes, and then, exactly, I thought he just helped, drew along with some of the vocals. That was very good of him.

Speaker 2:

It was a really lovely, relaxed evening. At no point did we feel pressured or rushed or that we needed to be doing anything. The staff were incredibly attentive. Drew was very funny, you know he engaged the audience in conversation in between songs. There was a great area for the kids, you know they had thought about that as well. Jasper spent the majority of the evening digging in the dirt with the selection of Tonka trucks and diggers and bulldozer toys that were there for the kids to play with, and then occasionally he'd come back to the table for another mouthful of dinner. So that kept him extremely happy. It was just a really lovely night.

Speaker 1:

Yes, Credit to Smithy and Sue for creating the right amount of engagement and then side sort of entertainment to keep the kids occupied and but not disruptive. You know, sort of just digging in the sand and well back out of the main table seating area. So yeah, you really feel like they've thought things through. There's a full service bar with great selection of Aussie and some international wines as well, and really it's all about. Nothing's a problem. You know, can we get you anything else? And the food is very filling, there's plenty of it.

Speaker 1:

You wouldn't go for wanting any more. You'll be wanting to loosen your belt.

Speaker 2:

And I did. My button on my jeans was undone, and that was only after the first dinner course.

Speaker 1:

Hello, yes, look, we just loved the whole experience. We left not only with our bellies full, but with our hearts full, and I say that because you are made to feel like you're an extension of their family.

Speaker 2:

Yes, yes, absolutely, and I love you know. We were greeted by Sue and the team when we hopped off the bus and I really love the end of the night as well, because they stand out there again as everybody's boarding the bus and Sue said to us this is not something special, we're just doing for you guys. This is something that we do every single night when guests come and join us for dinner, and that's how they speak Guests are just joining us for dinner. As you said, Paul, they're an extension of our family and they wave you off and they're so cute and they're standing there waving, waving, until the bus is pretty well out of sight. You know, it's not that. Oh yeah, two-second token wave and off we go. Go and tidy up. They're there, they're committed. It was lovely.

Speaker 1:

Really fantastic. And look, they are called the Aussie Outback Tours Company. If you punch that in to Google, you will find them, and then you'll go right. I can see now this is an empire that these guys are creating of, you know, really amazing authentic Aussie experiences with authentic Aussie characters and storytellers that are passionate about sharing those stories. So we'd encourage you to get on and check it out for yourself. Whether you're heading to Longreach or further afield, there's plenty on offer through these guys.

Speaker 2:

Yes, absolutely Fantastic experience.

Speaker 1:

Now, when we were leaving you know the train, rob said hey, by the way, there is one of the other tours tomorrow on the Heritage Motor Rail that heads down past the Qantas Founders Museum, past the Stockman's Hall of Fame, and we keep on going down to the Well Shot Pub in Ilfracombe and there's this famous pub. There. We get off with the passengers, have lunch, but if you want some really good YouTube content, meet us down there 11.30 am, quarter to 12, every Sunday. I don't know if they do this any other day of the week, but I'm pretty sure it happens on Sundays and, yeah, you should try and get down there. So we were like, well, let's definitely do that, I'm intrigued now.

Speaker 1:

So we walked in it was about 20 to 12, and there was all this commotion of people and Rob there being really the ringmaster of all the fun and activity, and what they'd done is they'd handed hats around inviting people to make a donation to the RFDS, which is our charity of choice, and that is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, a free service for every Australian that is traveling in remote regions, outback Australia, that if you were to come into any kind of problem, accident, emergency situation, the Royal Flying Doctor Service. If you can get their attention, will show up.

Speaker 1:

They'll fly you in and out, give you that emergency treatment and make sure that you are well cared for, without cost which is remarkable to us that you know this service is available and free, and so anytime that we have an opportunity to donate or to talk about the Royal Flying Doctor service and how amazing they are, then we do, and so they collect all the money, and then I think they collected like $320, I think something like that.

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 1:

And so some people are given $2, some people are given $50, somebody gave $100. So you know it's up to you what you give. But then it's put across the bar and then the bar changes that into large denominations of notes $50 notes, $100 note, $20 notes, whatever it comes in. And then Rob instructs anyone who's willing to give it a go, a chance to put this on, a little like a pin and a weighted pin, and he gives you the instruction how to straighten your arm, bend your legs and then whoop eyes get it in the roof.

Speaker 1:

You know he's got the all the aussie slang going and, uh, we watched some kids couldn't get it up there, but it seemed to be. The kids were all lining up and anyway, and we just happened to walk in when they were kind of got through the kids, and and he said little jasper watched you on YouTube last night. Get up here, mate. You've got this. Now Jasper's just turned eight and so he's probably right on that cusp of maybe being just slightly not quite strong enough yet, because it's this 130 year old pub.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's, it's actually. It's a beautiful little pub with a very interesting story of its own, but quite unlike a lot of the pubs that you'll find in the Northern Territory that you know, their ceilings are full of old bras, knickers, dusty hats and whatever else anybody can pin up there Probably asbestos. Yes, the well shot. The ceiling over the bar is full of cash.

Speaker 1:

Yes, and so I don't know. It'd be sort of at that five, six metre height, so you've got really high ceilings. 130 year old heritage listed building. That was way down in Barcoldin.

Speaker 2:

I believe yes.

Speaker 1:

And somebody said you know what our little town needs? We need that pub. So they horse-encouraged this pub and reassembled it here to create a bit of a pub pilgrimage, to create a bit of a heartbeat for the town, and it worked.

Speaker 2:

Well, it was the first building in Ilfraclone, so there you go. It actually kicked off the town.

Speaker 1:

I love, I love Australia for these stories. You know, where do you hear about this stuff, and so this is hey Dale, let's start a town.

Speaker 2:

We need a pub, we need a pub. Yep, I mean, it's smart, I haven't got time to build one.

Speaker 1:

Let's just grab that one from over there. Perfect, and so you know rich in history this place and it looks amazing. Anyway, jasper's throwing and he gets a final chance. He's already had three goes.

Speaker 2:

So close, oh, so close.

Speaker 1:

And then Rob said no, no, stop, look at your arm. Your arm's not straight enough, you're not bending in it. Come on, jasper, come on, and he just goes, give it. You know, just give it to it, send it, and Jasper does his final throw, but as he does, he kind of leaps into the air.

Speaker 2:

And lets out this real like, oh like, exertional grunt.

Speaker 1:

Cutteral yeah Moment and a little roar, you know, and boom into the roof and the pub erupted. And it was so exciting to see his little face.

Speaker 2:

Oh, it makes me emotional now, even just recounting the story, because everybody, everybody, whether you were sitting in the main area where the dining was, where this is going on, or on the other side of the bar the patrons who were just sitting having a beverage Everybody was engaged in this activity. And Jasper was the spotlight, and I mean one. I'm amazed that he willingly stepped forward and said yep, I'll give it a go.

Speaker 1:

He's pretty confident. I mean, we know that and if you watch our YouTube show you'll be like, yeah, he's obviously. He's grown up in an environment where we're, you know, putting ourselves out there publicly, so he is pretty confident. But interestingly, when he gets into sort of larger groups it's almost like he introverts. He can sometimes go the other way. So we're not sure what we're going to get sometimes. Yeah, that's right.

Speaker 2:

And we just if that's the case.

Speaker 2:

We're just like, yeah, that's fine, yeah, yeah, oh, definitely, whatever you want to do, mate. But I was really surprised because this was, you know, something that he was putting himself physically on the line to do. So, one, he put his hand up and said, yes. Two, the entire pub is on the edge of their seats watching. And three, that moment when it sticks in the roof and of course you know, paul and I are filming Paul's in front of him, I'm sort of off to the side behind him and he turns around and his little face, it just as a parent, both arms in the air, like yeah, it's like he's crossed a marathon finish line.

Speaker 2:

It's one of those moments, I think, that will define you know, as you're growing up and your childhood. But it's one of those moments that, whether he's conscious of it or not, will absolutely leave a defining marker point on him and having that success that day and the encouragement of everybody in the pub will have done something internally to him.

Speaker 1:

Look, I think you nailed it, Katie Encouragement, validation and that little self-esteem that grows into a big self-esteem. You cannot underestimate the power of creating little thinkers with really big self-esteems. Just encourage that self-esteem in your kids is really what we would think. You don't have to always tell them they're great if they're not. Don't do that.

Speaker 2:

No, but give them the opportunity to shine and excel, to step up and do that off their own steam, will give them an incredible self-esteem.

Speaker 1:

Yep.

Speaker 2:

Oh, look, you've got to get over to our YouTube channel if you haven't seen this footage already. And look, even if you skip through to the end of the episode to watch Jasper at the Well Shot Hotel, it is pure gold, priceless content. And look, we have to say what these guys are doing here. Over the past year, they've already raised $28,000 for the RFDS. So look, definitely we would recommend, if you don't get out and do the sunset tour on the rails that we did, then make sure you book on to their day lunch trip down to Ilfracombe and be a part of this at the well shot. You have a great lunch down there and then you board the train and you head back to Longreach. So that in itself would be an awesome tour to do on a Sunday. Definitely. Go and have some lunch and a beverage at the pub and be escorted back on the rails. Yeah, and we had a meal there. We loved it.

Speaker 1:

The well shot's gorgeous and a beverage at the pub and be escorted back on the rails. Yeah, and we had a meal there. We loved it.

Speaker 2:

The village was great, the well shot's gorgeous and we discovered you can camp out the back there. There was a number of caravans out the back. I think it was somewhere around the $20 or $30 a night to park up out the back. And then, yeah, the well shot's right there. So sweet little town, ilfracombe, love. And yeah, the well shots right there.

Speaker 1:

So sweet little town, ilfracombe, love it, and Enews just walking through town and we'll talk about the machinery mall next week's episode. Now, look, we keep talking about back Queensland because as far as a road trip, it's just got it all. You know, it's so fantastic. If you want a sea change, you want an outback change and you want to really come out and see the colors and the landscapes, and then obviously the people that have that red earth in their blood, then make your way out here, and it is a good segue for me for this week's takeaway.

Speaker 1:

Sometimes the best therapy is a long drive, good music and good company. So we would say plan your next road trip, even if it's only a couple hours, you know out to a national park or you know national parks, you know. If you're living on the east coast of Australia, which the majority of Australians do, you know I don't know it'd have to be 90% of Australia lives on the east coast. Within a couple of hours you are at a national park and it's either free or low cost entry and some of the most stunning landscapes anywhere in the world. And geez, doesn't it just fill you up when you're in these environments.

Speaker 2:

Oh, absolutely. Look, there is nothing better, I think, for the soul and for the stress levels, than to pack yourself into your car. You know, don't pack all of the baggage, don't take your worries with you. You know, get the windows down, get the breeze in your hair, get the tunes cranking.

Speaker 1:

Look, we're a few weeks away from being out to Keppel Island catching up with our good mate, jeff Mercer. Jeffrey, yes, but he always says it's okay to bring some luggage, but leave the baggage.

Speaker 2:

Oh, I love him. I love him so much. This man is just part of the island. You know we talk about the outback people having the red dirt in their veins. Well, jeff Mercer certainly has plenty of sand and salt water running through his and I can't wait to reconnect with him and I love that saying. And and there's nothing truer when you, when you are out on a road trip, and particularly out in these parts of Queensland, you know it's easy to leave your baggage behind beautiful Katie, all right.

Speaker 1:

next week we visit our favorite Outback Farmstay of all time and we do give our verdict on the best Buck Holden, outback Hotspur. Now there are three within a 40-kilometer radius that we check out. We're going to share our experience at all of them and let you know which one we think came up trumps.

Speaker 2:

Do I have to soak in another hot spring doll, Do I?

Speaker 1:

Yep, All right. Well, for now we'll say dream big and look after yourself and look after your family.

Speaker 2:

And happy trails.

People on this episode

Head Shot

Katie Guerin

Host
Head Shot

Paul Guerin

Host