Moura

When I was first approached to go to work in Moura....in the Central Qld Regional area, I had to look it up. I had never heard of Moura and wanted to know where I was being sent.
My first discovery when Google searching is that this was a small town mainly inhabited by Coal Miners and Cattle Farmers. There is a small IGA, a post office, newsagent, very small pharmacy, a service station plus bakery. To eat out in this town of just under 1900 people in population, you have a choice of the Coal n Cattle Pub, Moura Gardens (Chinese Restaurant) a couple of Cafes and a Chicken Treat. The Tavern was re-opened in June 2018 6 months after my tour here.
I have now been to Moura several times and had several adventures starting with the first trip which was fly in fly out. This trip I was picked up at Rockhampton Airport and driven the 2 hours 30 minutes by one of the staff. We had a nice stop at Mt Morgan on the way. I have included photos from both trips and also the food I put on for specials whilst there.
The drive here was rather interesting. I headed up the coastal road and stopped at Noosa, a little out of my way, for a quick brunch in Noosa Sound. Then headed up to Gympie and inland from there.
There is little cell phone reception on some of the roads, a little tip for those in a not so sound vehicle, carrying water and other essential just in case of break down is a must. There was no other car on the road from Mundebbera to Cracow. It is a dense Forrest like track with fallen trees, on my drive, so drive with caution.
You will pass through a very picturesque landscape and just outside of Theodore a massive mine site before arriving in Moura.
Below are the photos from my trip and some of the food I produced whilst at the Coal n Cattle Pub.
The weather here is very humid for 8 months of the year.

 Special: Bourbon Glazed Pork Loin with Mash and Veges.

 My Special Bloody Mary Coral Trout with Tomato Salsa.

 Seared Salmon Salad with Sesame Aioli.

 For Australia Day: Mini Pavlova with Blueberries, Kiwi and Mango Salsa Drizzled with Honey Spiced Coulis and Honeycomb.

 I love these bottle trees that you see spotted here and there on the drive to Moura.

 Vegetarian Parcels on Sweet Potato mash and Sauteed Spinach.

 My Fluffy Beer Battered Coral Trout with Lemon Aioli.

Dululu is on the way from Moura to Rockhampton and I love the name - going to Da Loo Loo .... so funny

My Puff Pastry Hearts before and after baking - to be used on the Mille Fille for Valentines Day.

 Wild Caught Red Snapper with Necterine Salsa and Capsicum Hearts for Valentines Day Menu, I created.

 Roasted Chicken Breast with a Champagne Beurre Bland, I created for Valentines Day Menu.

 My 3rd Dish for Valentines Day Main Course was an Eye Fillet and Garlic Prawn Stack with Spinach, Tomato and turned Vegetables.

 Lots of Capsicum Hearts, lovingly cut out for the fish.

 The Necterine Salsa for the fish was a combination of Spanish Onion, Necterines, Tomato and Lime.

 My share Dessert Platter for two: All made on premises and consisted of Chocolate Tart, Strawberry Liquer Heart Mille Fille, Spiced Cheesecake and a Jelly Heart Scone. Lovingly garnished with Chocolate Dipped and Fresh Strawberries.

 I had to put this photo in... no one ever believes that I pack everything but the kitchen sink. I have most of my Equipment with me to make desserts at venues and pop up functions. You  never know what the next client wants you to make.

 My salmon Patty with Sweet Chilli Aioli, Beetroot Glazed Eye Fillet and a modest look at the accommodation I was staying in Moura for 31/2 months. They have since done up a lot of rooms and on my return stayed in the deluxe Motel room, forgot to take photos, but will do next time. New rooms have massive 55" TV and all modern bathroom and fixtures.

 Special: Deconstructed Chicken Satay on Steamed Rice with Creamy Peanut Sauce.

 This is a temp chart from one of the cooler days in Moura. Lol yes I said cooler. I witnessed up to 42 degrees Celsius whilst I was there.

 One of the trips to Moura I flew in on these cute lil D8's, very limited to what you can take luggage wise but a fun ride just the same. I flew Brisbane to Rockhampton then picked up my a staff member from Coal n Cattle and driven 21/2 hours to the Pub.

 A Philly Steak Burger Special...one of the many specials I prepared whilst at the Coal n Cattle.

 My yummy Beef Ribs with Red Wine BBQ Marinade.

 yes and the temperatures kept on soaring... humidity is soooo bad here but lucky you have air conditioned rooms to go back to on your breaks and after work.

 Stopped at this rather sparse little park on the way to driving to Moura from Brisbane...not much to see and the loo was sooo disgusting I decided to stop again fuerther on.

 My room mate at Moura. He was soo cute. Only problem was a few days later some of his mates turned up and boy did they get noisy.

 A Port Wine Trifle I made.... have to spoil the locals.

 There is a fantastic butcher in Moura that smoke all there own meat... couldn't refuse using some of their Smoked Chicken Breast to make a tasty Salad Special.

 Deconstructed Cheesecake with Fresh Fruit Salad and Biscuit Sand.

 Wild Caught Barramundi with a Creamy Garlic and Citrus Sauce.

 What can I say - Love these Trees.

Yes More photos of trees and desserts.

 These next few photos are of Mount Morgan... see the humidity in the air... You can see the Melting Stack from the Gold Mine. Taken at the lookout to the east of the town.

This was the small amount of luggage I could take on the D8.

Taken at Rocky Airport.

Garlic Prawns on the Menu at Coal n Cattle.

My Calabresian Style Marinara; put on for a Special.

Special: Pesto Chicken Salad with Sweet Potato Graufette.

Wild Caught Barramundi with a Pina Colada Sauce

Semi Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken Legs.

Malaysian Style Satay.

Lebanese Style Lemon Chicken with Garlic Dressing

This was the weather as I got into Moura, I just managed to get all my luggage in then it poured down.

Mini Slider Burgers - great for the kids.

Orange Glazed Barramundi Fillets

And yet another hot day in Moura.

It poured down for a good few days... allowed for a few cooler days but not many...lol

Wild Caught Barrumundi with Mango and Lime Salsa.