Eidsvold – QLD

They say Eidsvold is the ‘Beef 🥩Capital of the Burnett’. That’s not surprising as it’s nestled in a valley of undulating grazing country steeped in cattle 🐂 droving history. Other than cattle it’s also known for its valuable timber, citrus and many vegetable crops. Besides dodging the dodgy weather and the threatening thunderstorms we wanted to stop here to experience the RM Williams Australia Bush Learning Centre.

👉The centre also provides a 📍pet friendly, 📍self-contained RV stop over for 📍$10 per night which you pay at reception. 📍No power or water. But just a hop step and a jump from the centre. 📍There are clean toilets available as well. The area is nice and flat and judging by those that had stopped for the night quite popular.

👉We decided to stay at the showgrounds which are just next door to the R M Williams Centre so that we could have power. But in reality, we could have easily stayed at the centre. The showground had plenty of room as well and there were quite a few other caravanners staying the night and hopefully protected and away from the threatening weather about to come across the hills. It’s📍 $15 per night at the showgrounds for 📍power and water and fees are paid at the BP Service Station across the road.

👉Once we had set up, which did not take long, we decided to walk over and check out the RM Williams Centre. The entry fee is $10 per person. As you can imagine this place is all about RM Williams and the legacy he left. RM Williams chose to settle in Eidsvold after leaving South Australia in the 1950’s, seeking a challenge and settling on a property along the Auburn River near Eidsvold. He lived there until 1972.  The centre also provides a window into the history of other inspirational people that surrounded the life of RM Williams. We are so glad we stopped and checked it out. 👍

We spent a good 2 hours reading all sorts of old newspapers and watching some of the very interesting videos. Just before we decided to head back to the caravan the heavens parted  and it absolutely poured and poured and poured. 🌧🌧🌧 with rain and the lightening was spectacular. Eventually the rain eased off and we hightailed it back to the caravan. It’s a wonder Jeep and Jayco did not float away as we were surrounded by water and mud.😌

We did return to the centre at 6pm to the The Son et Lumiere the outdoor Light and Sound Show held every night at the Centre. If you miss the 6pm show they also have one at 7pm. It shares the story of RM Williams and the show is projected onto a customized steel sculpture called ‘Language of the Land’.

Even though the rain had stopped the night air was very cool and it was windy. But we are glad we made the effort to go and watch the show. What’s happened to our beautiful Queensland weather. Oh that’s right it’s nearly summer and the rains are coming. 😅

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