Surat

Surat is lovely little country town between St George and Roma on the Carnarvon Highway. There is a small Caravan park in the middle of town and across the road from the Balonne River.  You will need to book and pay at the Hotel for sites. There are a number of small cabins at the park and the grounds are neat and tidy. The Royal Hotel Motel  also has accommodation and meals with a bottle shop for takeaway drinks.

Surat was the site of a Cobb and Co. changing station and this now houses a great museum with stories of travel in the early days and history of the area. This old timber building also has an information centre, regional Art Gallery, Library and freshwater aquarium.  A gold coin donation is requested for a look around the museum and I believe this is well worth the money. The displays are set out beautifully with plenty of informative signs and poster as well as newspaper clippings to give you a real sense of life during Cobb and Co travel.

A sealed walking track runs along the river bank - lined with play equipment, exercise stations (including a table tennis table, rock climbing station), children’s playgrounds and a viewing platform with views over the river through magnificent gum trees.  Public toilets are available along the path. 

We also found public toilets behind the town’s administrative building on the main road.  Nice wide streets and plenty of parking with friendly locals greeting us as we walked to the museum. 

On the over side of the Bridge as you head towards Roma is a large free camping area.  We called in to have a look about lunch time and it was already occupied with about 30 caravans - walking distance to town.  Large space, lots of shade, toilet block and close to the river - great spot for fishing.