Paddabilla Water Facility

On our trip from Eulo to Cunnamulla, we decided to stop for the night at Paddabilla bore. This bore was drilled here to water travelling stock. It is still used to water stock and now by the travelling public as a rest stop. It is interesting to look at the old watering trough and the Turkey nest cooling tank. Water still rises under pressure at a lukewarm temperature. I think if the water were allowed to flow at a high rate it would be hotter.

The other side of Eulo there is an extinct mud spring. It was a natural vent for the artesian basin when the pressure rose very high. Seepage kept the mud wetted continuously for thousands (or even millions) of years. Since humans learned to drill into the artesian aquifer, the artesian has dropped drastically and some bores don't flow at all. These seepage points have ceased to flow. Natural watering spots and native animal habitat have become extinct.

The mound of mud near Eulo would only get soft now with a good rainy season. Normally it is dry.

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This is mulga Country. Rather than try to tell it all myself, I have copied a sign.

Mulga - Acacia aneura

This long lived small tree grows to
between 6-9m. Its ascending branches
catch every last drop of rain available and
send it to the root zone. The leaves of the
mulga are leathery and well adapted to
harsh semi-arid environments.

The mulga tree grows mainly on red
soil, sandy plains and stony country.
The type of soil dictates the growth
and habit. The timber is very hard and
was used by aborigines to make
implements necessary for their
survival. The mulga tree is a major
stock feed source particularly
during times of drought.Read more