A couple of nights ago, I camped at Bedford Weir, near Blackwater and was quite surprised.
It must be five years since I last stopped there. Back then there were caretakers living in two caravans next to a pergola. The amenities were clean and pleasant to use. The area was predominantly grassy and quite open with many spaces to camp.
The caretakers had the pergola set up sort of like their 'veranda' and had tables and chairs with info brochures of the area - it was sort of like entering a caravan reception.
The caretakers were friendly and very welcoming. Indeed, I think it was each Wednesday morning and Sunday morning they used to host a 'morning tea' providing some scones but it was a BYO tucker mainly. Campers gathered and a good chat and cuppa was shared by all.
This time the two caravans are still there ... but VERY derelict. The pergola is empty insomuch that there is just junk covered with dust scattered within it.
The amenities block is in a poor state of repair and definitely in need a good clean and some TLC.
There are no caretakers evident. The area has been 'sub-divided' with lots of little posts about a metre apart forming fences to restrict where one can drive/camp.
Apart from myself there were three other campers - a young couple, and two decidedly scruffy (they made me look flash and posh) blokes in their late 30s/early 40s who looked like they had been there for some time. One living out of the back of his old Toyota ute and the other in a 1970s van and old Holden ute. Neither were particularly interested in talking and I think it safe to say they were quite keen to avoid talking to anyone.
Has anyone else recently been to Bedford Weir?
Is this what it has become?
Or is this just the 'summer' version compared to the 'nomad' version during the winter months?
Cheers - John
Bill B said
08:37 AM Jan 4, 2017
Agree with your comments.
Stopped there just after Easter last year and the camping area had become very run down compared to what it was a few years earlier.
macka17 said
08:48 AM Jan 4, 2017
Haven't been there for longer than you.
Used to be some real good fishing there.
Just looked it up on net.
Caretakers. Hot showers. toilets.
7 day max stop.
Hmm. Needs updating methink's.
Would make a real nice paddock for someone to stay in for a while and tidy up a bit
for rent hey.
Time to move on the Dossers. They probably the reason it's scruffy now.
Free rent. GREAT fishing. Hot shower\tut.
The originals probably thought it time for a move, as we all do occasionally.
I've moved since I was around 13.
But this home base now will see me out
I'll sit on back fence in a little waterproof jar methink's.
With the kookaburra's, Maggies, and Butchers.
Explorer said
09:23 AM Jan 4, 2017
Hi, A one time regular contributor to PTP was heading there to caretake the place about a year ago & haven,t heard of Her since???
Mike.
Bill B said
09:38 AM Jan 4, 2017
Explorer wrote:
Hi, A one time regular contributor to PTP was heading there to caretake the place about a year ago & haven,t heard of Her since???
Mike.
Yes "she" was there when we called in there, mainly to catch up with her.
They were there for approx 3 mths and left at the end of May.
jules47 said
01:22 PM Jan 4, 2017
We were at Bedford Weir for on and off for over three months from April 2016 to about June/July - on and off, we left and then came back. There was a lady doing the cleaning and living in one of the caravans with her son, but she was moving. The "member" from on here and her husband were there for three months, quite a while back now, and had the place spick and span. The lady who was there recently, this year kept the toilets very clean and tidy. She also got the grass on the "other side" cut. We usually camp on the right of the road in, because there are no time limits there. We still put our donations in the letter box, though pretty sure not all did.
There were about 20 male pea****s there.
Renfrew said
03:28 PM Jan 4, 2017
We camped there in late October 2016 & reported the dump station had been relocated to Blackwater Showground.
It was a case of "abuse it - then loose it" as the dump point needed unclogging every second day.
Bedford Weir is an ideal spot, should you be travelling north, as the road north from the weir, is sealed all the way thru to the Capella/Middlemount Highway.
The Information Centre advised us, that because of continuing unnecessary expenses, the free camp could close & alternate camping at Blackwater Showgrounds where dust, noise, $ fee replace placid waters, fishing & shade. We suggested a Campground Host, that they would follow up.
The old story. If more money goes out, than what comes in:- shut up shop. QED
jules47 said
09:11 PM Jan 4, 2017
Great shame if it gets closed - really good place to spend some time. We love it!! A fair bit of money would be spent in the town as well I would think, can get just about all you need in the town.
There is a donation box, but it is only a letter box, so not secure - don't know what the answer is - but surely there is one.
rockylizard said
09:27 PM Jan 4, 2017
Gday...
Yeah Jules, I know I really enjoyed my stay there five years ago (spent five nights) ... however, after this visit I fail to see what made it an attraction.
The peac0cks are still there, the donation box is still there ... and still insecure and empty ... I hate to admit it, but I didn't add to its emptiness as I am sure any money deposited would have 'wandered'.
There is very little grass - so it is almost impossible to find a space to park on grass - it is all mainly uneven dirt now.
The main area on the right as you arrive is the area that is now mainly dirt. The area beyond the pergola and (now derelict) caretaker vans is fenced off with the little half-metre high posts about a metre apart. The area between the Ski Club down at water's edge and the 'main' camping area is a complete dirt bowl. However, the Ski club area and playground are in excellent condition.
I guess it shows how attention to an area can help it survive.
Bedford Weir, to me now, is only a quick overnight stop - and given it is a 30-odd Km drive in and out from the highway is not really even worth that much.
Cheers - I will continue to look for and find good spots - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 09:30:09 PM
jules47 said
09:31 PM Jan 4, 2017
It is indeed a shame when a good spot is let go to the pack!!!
Have you been to Higher Ground in Emerald? Selma Road, almost to Fairbairn Dam? Costs, but pretty cheap, and really nice.
Gday...
A couple of nights ago, I camped at Bedford Weir, near Blackwater and was quite surprised.
It must be five years since I last stopped there. Back then there were caretakers living in two caravans next to a pergola. The amenities were clean and pleasant to use. The area was predominantly grassy and quite open with many spaces to camp.
The caretakers had the pergola set up sort of like their 'veranda' and had tables and chairs with info brochures of the area - it was sort of like entering a caravan reception.
The caretakers were friendly and very welcoming. Indeed, I think it was each Wednesday morning and Sunday morning they used to host a 'morning tea' providing some scones but it was a BYO tucker mainly. Campers gathered and a good chat and cuppa was shared by all.
This time the two caravans are still there ... but VERY derelict. The pergola is empty insomuch that there is just junk covered with dust scattered within it.
The amenities block is in a poor state of repair and definitely in need a good clean and some TLC.
There are no caretakers evident. The area has been 'sub-divided' with lots of little posts about a metre apart forming fences to restrict where one can drive/camp.
Apart from myself there were three other campers - a young couple, and two decidedly scruffy (they made me look flash and posh) blokes in their late 30s/early 40s who looked like they had been there for some time. One living out of the back of his old Toyota ute and the other in a 1970s van and old Holden ute. Neither were particularly interested in talking and I think it safe to say they were quite keen to avoid talking to anyone.
Has anyone else recently been to Bedford Weir?
Is this what it has become?
Or is this just the 'summer' version compared to the 'nomad' version during the winter months?
Cheers - John
Stopped there just after Easter last year and the camping area had become very run down compared to what it was a few years earlier.
Used to be some real good fishing there.
Just looked it up on net.
Caretakers. Hot showers. toilets.
7 day max stop.
Hmm. Needs updating methink's.
Would make a real nice paddock for someone to stay in for a while and tidy up a bit
for rent hey.
Time to move on the Dossers. They probably the reason it's scruffy now.
Free rent. GREAT fishing. Hot shower\tut.
The originals probably thought it time for a move, as we all do occasionally.
I've moved since I was around 13.
But this home base now will see me out
I'll sit on back fence in a little waterproof jar methink's.
With the kookaburra's, Maggies, and Butchers.
Hi, A one time regular contributor to PTP was heading there to caretake the place about a year ago & haven,t heard of Her since???
Mike.
Yes "she" was there when we called in there, mainly to catch up with her.
They were there for approx 3 mths and left at the end of May.
There were about 20 male pea****s there.
It was a case of "abuse it - then loose it" as the dump point needed unclogging every second day.
Bedford Weir is an ideal spot, should you be travelling north, as the road north from the weir, is sealed all the way thru to the Capella/Middlemount Highway.
The Information Centre advised us, that because of continuing unnecessary expenses, the free camp could close & alternate camping at Blackwater Showgrounds where dust, noise, $ fee replace placid waters, fishing & shade. We suggested a Campground Host, that they would follow up.
The old story. If more money goes out, than what comes in:- shut up shop. QED
There is a donation box, but it is only a letter box, so not secure - don't know what the answer is - but surely there is one.
Gday...
Yeah Jules, I know I really enjoyed my stay there five years ago (spent five nights) ... however, after this visit I fail to see what made it an attraction.
The peac0cks are still there, the donation box is still there ... and still insecure and empty ... I hate to admit it, but I didn't add to its emptiness as I am sure any money deposited would have 'wandered'.
There is very little grass - so it is almost impossible to find a space to park on grass - it is all mainly uneven dirt now.
The main area on the right as you arrive is the area that is now mainly dirt. The area beyond the pergola and (now derelict) caretaker vans is fenced off with the little half-metre high posts about a metre apart. The area between the Ski Club down at water's edge and the 'main' camping area is a complete dirt bowl. However, the Ski club area and playground are in excellent condition.
I guess it shows how attention to an area can help it survive.
Bedford Weir, to me now, is only a quick overnight stop - and given it is a 30-odd Km drive in and out from the highway is not really even worth that much.
Cheers - I will continue to look for and find good spots
- John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Wednesday 4th of January 2017 09:30:09 PM
Have you been to Higher Ground in Emerald? Selma Road, almost to Fairbairn Dam? Costs, but pretty cheap, and really nice.