How do I write about a piece of Australia with such breathtaking beauty?
Charlotte Plains is 650km from home and 50km from Cunnamulla. Sweeping over the red dirt plains of the south west Queensland outback, this working station is home to cows, sheep, goats, kangaroos, and emus. I am sure there is much more wildlife, but that remained unseen to my eyes.
Part of the Charlotte Plains landscape is a camping area where visitors can enjoy the beauty of the country whilst soaking in a tub of hot artesian spring water. A canal of the grey blue water spans the length of the camping area where guests can swim or soak at their leisure. Children enjoy digging the mud from the bottom of the canal and smearing it over themselves like body paint. They don’t realise, of course, how good that mud is for their skin.
Campers, caravans, and tents share the site. Firewood is free, you find it, you light it, and all the campers take only what they need. The spring water services the showers and toilets. Hot straight from the earth, if you like your shower super hot, you are on to a winner.
You don’t need to byo accommodation either. The shearers quarters are 8km from the campsite. Small but comfortable with shared kitchen and shared bathroom facilities, although, if you don’t like the idea of someone else walking in while you are on the loo there is also a single bathroom attached. Each room is air conditioned and the beds are quite comfortable. At $120 a night twin share it is an absolute bargain. If you fancy doing your washing
The owners of Charlotte Plains have created a mini paradise with not only the canal but pools of different temperatures where you can choose as cool dip or a slow broil. By all accounts the pools and baths are heavenly. Once you have finished bathing and have suitably wrinkled your fingers and toes, you can wander up to the bar to enjoy a drink by the fire with accompanying music.
On our visit we had the pleasure of listening to Clare Cowley play her mix of originals and covers, whilst enjoying a pina colada. You will find Clare on the music apps, go hunt her down, you will not be disappointed. It did amuse me that we had travelled over 650km to listen to a musician that comes from a town 20 minutes down the road from me.
If you need, there is Wi-Fi access at both the bar area and at the shearers’ quarters, but the best way to experience Charlotte Plains is to go off grid. Listen to the birds. Stare at the stars that you will never see in the city. Laze in a tub of water. Or enjoy your own campfire. Charlotte Plains is off the beaten track, no hustle or bustle, simply pure Australian sweeping plains, red dirt and never-ending skies.
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