Carlton Hill Homestead

The Cambridge Gulf was our next destination
Working on a 1.5 million acre cattle station.
Chris required to feed 30+ staff as station cook
Myself as Nanny, housekeeper and some books.

A bonus is cottage accommodation with two bedrooms
As towns fill with nomads and Covid lockdown looms.
The remoteness of Carlton Hill certainly appeals
It’s billabong oasis creates such welcoming feels.

Flowering wattle scents the air, grass damp with dew
A cup of tea enjoyed with a ‘House Roof Hill’ view.
Famous for where the movie ‘Australia’ was made
Stunning with changing hues as the sun does fade.

The abundant Ord River’s water allow sprinklers to splutter
In tree tops flocks of corellas & galahs screech and flutter.
On the lush lawns poddy calves learn to graze
Behind, the drafted cattle kick up a dust haze.

Mass movement of Brahman cattle causes quite a stink
Dust settling over Bougainvillea bracts of white and pink.
Frangipani and Jasmine perfume struggles to compete
With the residual smell from thousands of cloven feet.

Tin cladded mechanical sheds shade plenty of toys
Mack truck, feeder and front loader, not just for boys.
Long road trains, grader and large excavator
Motorbikes, goosenecks and a green tractor.Read more