From Maryborough we moved on to Howard, a small town that was big in coal mining until the 1970s when the last coal mine closed down. It really hasn't moved on from there. The houses are old and tired, the streets are wide and empty, and the butcher, baker and take-away food places are still charging 70s prices. We checked out the butcher and found pork steak cutlets for $6 a kilo. Then we decided to get chips with that - $3 for medium chips. The cakes in the bakery were huge and very tasty.

We also checked out the coal museum and saw how they used to mine with pick and shovel, and heard stories of pockets of methane gas that would occasionally explode as miner's lamps had open flames. Apparently the quality of the coal was very good, but the seam was not large, and it basically all got mined out. While we were there we got a call from our friends in Brisbane - apparently his family had grown up in Howard, and one of his uncles was remembered on the war memorial. He told us the names of his other uncles, and people from the historical society knew them and showed us newspaper cuttings of some of their exploits.

Next day we went to Burrum Heads, the local beach. This was an even smaller town with a pleasant quiet beach. We met a local resident and when we told him the prices of food in Howard he seemed to think that was quite normal. This whole area is living in the 70s.

We then moved on to Childers, a beautiful town, also living on the past in a different way. This is a town of many old historical buildings, beautifully restored and fully functional. There are a couple of lovely old hotels and an art deco cinema.

What really impressed us was its culinary prowess. There was an amazing cafe called Insane Caffeine with the best cakes I have seen anywhere (as well as great coffee) and dinner at the Federal Hotel definetley impressed also. Ate too much, but loved every minute of it.

The other thing that is really impressive in this part of Queensland is that almost every town has put aside a large area in the middle of town for self contained RVs to stay for free and enjoy and spend in town. It's a great idea which is working a treat.

Georgy's bit

Judging the size of a town by population/Aldi/Bunnings/Coles-Woolies/and finally IGA, all three towns are small, with one IGA in each, yet each has different aspirations.

Howard has no beach but has a working train station that goes twice a day to Brisbaine. A secure parking would transform it to a great hub, but they are still locked in the days of The Great War heroes and the high quality coal of which we were gifted as a souvenir.

Burrum has a beach with no esplanade or plans. Burrum is just scratching its Heads waiting for Hervey Bay to burst its seams so they can collect the overflow. Until then, being untouched is the selling point.

Childers was the big surprise out of the three. With no beach, no train other than the little one that collects sugar cane from the surrounding fields, Childers exceeded every expectation. Lygon Street can learn a thing or two from what Childers have perfected.

History, society and leadership are contrasted within a short drive.