Jul – Oct 2019

Lake Eyre & Uluru

One of the most iconic sites in Australia is Uluru. Lake Eyre is waterless most of the time but springs to life when huge cyclonic driven rain fall in Queensland. That water takes months to flow to the lake. This trip is a rare opportunity. Read more

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Day 7
Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 9:41 AM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 273 m
Australia Wallal -26.6543, 146.1763226°39’15” S 146°10’35” E
Angellala Creek Explosion site
August 4, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
5th December 2014 a truck loaded with explosives caught fire then crashed and exploded.

The blast radius was more than I kilometre and the affect of the blast was felt over 30 kilometres away.

The explosion site looked like a war zone and destroyed the Angellala rail bridge that had stood since 1897.Read more
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Day 7
Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 11:52 AM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 246 m
Australia Wyandra -27.24644, 145.9809827°14’47” S 145°58’52” E
Wyandra
August 4, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Wyandra is a small town about halfway between Charleville and Cunnamulla. The lady in the post office was very helpful and we ended staying for coffee.

These little towns everywhere are well worth stopping for a break and are often quite interesting.Read more
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Day 7
Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 1:27 PM
☀️ 20 °C
Altitude: 183 m
Australia John Kerr Park -28.06827, 145.6824828°4’6” S 145°40’57” E
Cunnamulla and the Fella
August 4, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
The Cunnamulla fella is a composite character immortalised by Slim Dusty and Stan Coster in song.

Over the years the harsh outback created many colourful characters. Cunnamulla fella was just one example.

A nearby Cafe has an interesting mural display. There are several pubs.

The water Tower is similar to the one in Charleville.

Not far away is the robber tree. In 1880 Joseph Wells robbed the bank and injured a storekeeper. He lost control of his horse and was captured here hiding in this tree.

Sentenced to death the victims petitioned unsuccessfully for lenience. This however was not to be and he had the dubious fame of being the last man hanged in Queensland for robbery under arms.Read more
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Day 7
Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 1:59 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 187 m
Australia Warrego River -28.06625, 145.6872628°3’59” S 145°41’14” E
Cunnamulla
August 4, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
The water for Cunnamulla takes thousands of years to get here. Seeping thousands of kilometres underground it fills and pressurises the great artesian basin.

The water is so pure it is merely filtered before use. Sometimes there can be a little sulphur smell but this is not harmful.

The streets are an interesting walk.Read more
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Day 7
Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 5:42 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 195 m
Australia Curragh Water Facility -27.99051, 145.6103627°59’26” S 145°36’37” E
Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary
August 4, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
This stop is all about the birds. We are camped near water that is home to many different species of birds.

The camping area is quite close but we must be careful and mindful of the wildlife.

This afternoon for me was all about one of the most spectacular sunsets anyone could wish to see.Read more
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Day 7
Sunday, August 4, 2019 at 5:56 PM
🌙 17 °C
Altitude: 195 m
Australia Curragh Water Facility -27.99052, 145.610427°59’26” S 145°36’37” E
Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary
August 4, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
Apart from the sunsets, which were very speccy, the drive around the property was quite interesting. Billabongs and Waterholes in a very dry and parched region. The birds work along the creeks and out into the mulga.

The red soils can get finer than talc and get into everything. It's a red bylldust experience in parts.

Only a few millimetres of rain and nothing moves. The red dust turns into red slippery mud and it builds up on the tyres and they get no traction at all. Only the main road in is passable due to being formed up with gravel.Read more
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Day 9
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 1:27 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 157 m
Australia Eulo Airfield -28.16154, 145.049928°9’42” S 145°2’60” E
Eulo
August 6, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
We decided to take a run out to Eulo. Here lizards outnumber people at least 1,000 to 1. Home of the lizard races every year they gather round the race track and bet on the fastest lizards.

Situated on the Paroo River this town is in a very dry region. There is a pub, shop, craft shop, gemstone shop and others.Read more
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Day 9
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 2:19 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 179 m
Australia Paddabilla Water Facility -28.11755, 145.1939728°7’3” S 145°11’38” E
Paddabilla Bore
August 6, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
On the way out to Eulo we checked out this spot. It is quite a large area where camping is allowed. Water is available from the artesian bore.

Many years ago this would have been an important stop on the stock route. Now there is little evidence apart from the huge long stock watering trough.

We decided to stop here for the ight before we continue our way southward towards Broken Hill.Read more
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Day 10
Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at 1:44 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 184 m
Australia John Kerr Park -28.06842, 145.6815728°4’6” S 145°40’54” E
Cunnamulla Museum
August 7, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
A visit to Cunnamulla would not be complete without a visit to the museum. Also the info centre the time tunnel, artesian story, gallery and museum are worth a look.

Arguably the highlight is the time tunnel elevator. Made to look like an old mine elevator this ride is quite well done. Clangs bangs and rumbles just like the real deal. The only thing missing is the start and stop sensation.

In the tunnel are more interesting exhibits and a couple of old timer yarns. After looking around a nice coffee or tea and a biscuit.

The only trouble visiting museums now is seeing items from our childhood on display.Read more
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Day 11
Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 5:10 PM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 108 m
Australia Bourke -30.08804, 145.9351330°5’17” S 145°56’6” E
Crossley oil fueled engine
August 8, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Yesterday we took a look at a very old oil fueled engine. Runs for demo on diesel/oil blend. It gets started weekdays at 12. Only in the tourist season though.

Runs around 260 rpm and develops about 140hp. Was originally used to generate power in Sydney. Then it went to a butter factory. Last it was used on a Narromine property for irrigation.

It is started with air. Originally this hand pump was used to pressurise the tank behind to 120psi. Would have been a fun job. Electric compressor now.

It takes a fair bit to start the six ton flywheel turning. The engineer has to decompress while it is getting up speed.

In cold weather it was preheated and started on kerosine. Once the speed was high enough and the air empty the decompression is closed. Then all going well it fires and start to run up to it operating speed of 260rpm.

When the fuel is shut off it takes over 5 mins to stop spinning when unloaded.

I suspect it was rarely allowed to stop. With no load it burns 1litre of oil per hour.Read more
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Day 11
Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 5:14 PM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 112 m
Australia Darling River -30.08762, 145.9356630°5’15” S 145°56’8” E
Port of Bourke
August 8, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
It's a bit odd having a port in a town so far inland. We tend to forget the shipping along the river ways in the early days of settlement. Nearby is the Port of Bourke hotel.
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Day 13
Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 2:45 PM
☀️ 13 °C
Altitude: 305 m
Australia Mount Oxley -30.19922, 146.240230°11’57” S 146°14’25” E
Mount Oxley
August 10, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
About 40 kilometres from Bourke is Mount Oxley. The road up is a little bit scary. Really glad there was nobody coming the other way.

On top is a huge array of communication Towers and satellite dishes. Today was very windy and seems every loose part was vibrating with a lot of noise.

Futher overwas the amenities and barbecue. The views were amazing and the rocky landscape unusual.

It is said the sunsets here are spectacular but we preferred to be back at our camp before dark. There are lots of kangas around.Read more
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Day 13
Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 4:19 PM
☀️ 13 °C
Altitude: 108 m
Australia Bourke Airport -30.05593, 145.9519530°3’21” S 145°57’7” E
Historic North Bourke Bridge
August 10, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
The old bridge still stands but is in need of repairs. Many years now it is a tourist attraction but no longer is it considered safe.

Until repairs are carried out it is closed to pedestrians. Of course it is closed to vehicular traffic.Read more
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Day 14
Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 11:38 AM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 103 m
Australia Eight Mile Lagoon -30.13003, 145.8337630°7’48” S 145°50’2” E
Fort Bourke
August 11, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Today we headed to the site of Fort Bourke. The road was not too bad but we had to wrangle a locked gate that was in a poor state of repair. We had picked up a key from the info centre. Interested to be in the area but suspect it was quite different when the explorers were there.

The fort is a replica.

From the sign at the location.
=======================
On 27 May 1835, Major Thomas Mitchell and his exploring party of 21 men constructed a stockade in two days.

This was apparently located 270m from the Darling River at Eight Mile lagoon.on highest ground fhe neighbourhood...an elevated and extensive plateau."

The Stockade was built as a place of defence and security against possible aboriginal attack, especially for the seven men and stock to remain there while the rest of the party explored downstream by boat.

Mitchell named the location Fort " Bourke" after the Governor of New South Wales, with the possibility that it may someday be developed into a township.
=======================Read more
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Day 14
Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 12:34 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 104 m
Australia Bourke -30.102, 145.9372730°6’7” S 145°56’14” E
Fred Hollows Grave Site
August 11, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Fred Hollows is buried in the Bourke cemetery. Although he came from new Zealand, he developed an affinity to this part of the country.
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Day 14
Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 12:56 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 101 m
Australia Bourke -30.08737, 145.8946130°5’15” S 145°53’41” E
Bourke Weir
August 11, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
When built this weir on the Darling River was the only one. It was built to provide a reliable water supply for the town. A lock beside allowed riverboats to move across the different levels.

Around 1941 the lock was no longer used.Read more
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Day 14
Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 1:26 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 108 m
Australia Darling River -30.08061, 145.9496330°4’50” S 145°56’59” E
Dance of the Echidnas
August 11, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
At the Bourke information centre out front is a display simply called dance of the echidna. Being curious I decided to do some searching for info on this display.

My search took me to a rather interesting article on Echidnas. Particularly interesting was the reference to echidna love trains. Up to 10 males will follow a female nose to tail until the female is ready to mate.

The female digs in beside a tree or rock. The males undertake a digging/pushing ritual until one remains in the rut.

I am guessing (but can not confirm}) this display is an abstract of the love train.

Echidnas can live for 45 years. The link to a very interesting article.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2000/06/…Read more
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Day 20
Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 11:07 AM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 225 m
Australia Mootwingee Waterhole -31.31509, 142.3330831°18’54” S 142°19’59” E
Mutawintji Gorge
August 17, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
The long trek into the George was worth the effort. The weather was cold and I had forgotten to pick up my coat before the few kilometre drive to the parking area. I put on an extra shirt and jeans but was still a bit cold with the stiff breeze.

Thankfully the breeze let up a bit as we walked across the flat. By the time we were at the Gorge the temperature was quite pleasant. A couple of hundred metres short of the Gorge we descended into the creek. This was the start of the Gorge rising up impressively each side.

One place had some aboriginal art though I feel certain there was a lot more not easily viewed without considerable effort. Climbing along the Gorge the view became, well.... geogeous. Although not a lot of water in the pools one can imagine wet season here.

A rewarding experience in a sacred part of our country. I felt a little humbled to be able to experience this.Read more
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Day 23
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 2:04 PM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 292 m
Australia Broken Hill -31.9795, 141.4615731°58’46” S 141°27’42” E
Bell's Milk bar
August 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
A surprise in Broken Hill. A real 1950's milk bar. Incorporating a museum as well this was a real blast from history. It's a real working milk bar with drinks and food much as you would have bought decade's ago. All the flavourings are still made by hand in two gallon batches to the original recipes.
This is a great stop if in Broken Hill.Read more
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Day 23
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 4:11 PM
☀️ 15 °C
Altitude: 335 m
Australia Broken Hill -31.96208, 141.4672731°57’43” S 141°28’2” E
Miner memorial
August 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C
Long story on this memorial. It is built on the actual "broken Hill". This is where the boomerang shaped line of lode projected above the ground and presented a jagged outcrop.

This broken area led to the original silver discovery. Miners flocked to the area eager to make their fortune.

Mining in the eighteen hundreds was extremely dangerous and many lives were lost. This memorial records every lost life in the mines of this area. Over the years mining became safer. After about 1950 lost lives were significantly fewer. In the last 30 years only several lives have been lost.

Now for anyone wondering about the hill. It is no longer visible. Discarded mullock or useless rock makes up most of the landscape. Many local old timers are against ant beautification or change since this is the history of the place. Three working mines are left but the way of working has changed much.Read more
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Day 24
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 2:20 PM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 332 m
Australia Broken Hill -31.94508, 141.4472731°56’42” S 141°26’50” E
Pro Hart Gallery
August 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Pro Hart was one very well known artist. The gallery shows what diverse talent he had. Working in the mines and painting spare time he became one of Australia's best known artists. We were not allowed to take any photos in the gallery.

Some of the major works are available as images on postcards and other items.Read more
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Day 24
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 4:29 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 304 m
Australia Broken Hill -31.95697, 141.4331131°57’25” S 141°25’59” E
Whites Mineral Art
August 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Another miner turned artist. These works are made from different coloured rocks glued to a board. The experience includes an informative presentation on olden day mining.

There is a lot of mining items on display.

What's a miners wife to do though. Make Teddy bears. The display is hundreds of teddy bears and other characters all on display. This would be the most teddy's I have ever seen in one place.Read more
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Day 24
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at 4:46 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 331 m
Australia J P Keenan Lookout -31.9566, 141.4550631°57’24” S 141°27’18” E
Keenan Lookout
August 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Looking over the hill this lookout includes a lot of information. Some of the discussion earlier at the mining presentation became a little clearer. The line of lode is explained. None of the town is built over any of the ore body.Read more
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Day 26
Friday, August 23, 2019 at 11:06 AM
☀️ 14 °C
Altitude: 213 m
Australia Umberumberka Reservoir -31.81416, 141.2096931°48’51” S 141°12’35” E
Umberumberka reserve
August 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
A few kilometres out from Silverton is the dam. Quite an interesting view over the wall.

The strange UFO's are actually cement mixers.
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Day 26
Friday, August 23, 2019 at 5:09 PM
☀️ 17 °C
Altitude: 377 m
Australia Broken Hill Municipality -31.89935, 141.4501631°53’58” S 141°27’1” E
The Broken Hill Starues
August 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
A very impressive display of sculptures a short drive from Broken Hill. One has become somewhat of an icon, actually used on the sign on the border. We chose a sunset viewing and were not dissapointedi. Neither were the other 50 people with the same idea.Read more
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