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Published: April 26th 2015
Riversleigh fossils
This is a replica of a VERY old snakey type thing that used to live in AustraliaWe had a lazy start to the day before walking into the town. It wasn't too bad as it was a much cooler day today. Still a warm day, just not a brain boiler!
First stop was the undergound hospital. Apparently it was built in about 1942 because of the threat of Japanese invasion, especially post the bombing in Darwin. It was never actually used during the war and had a chequered history for many years post way ( vandals etc). A decision was made to restore it and many volunteers and the mine, helped out. It was interesting especially seeing much of the old hospital equipment! Pretty primitive!
After this we went to the Outback at Isa centre. Its an information centre that has museums and a recreated mine attached. We had a good look at the re created Riversleigh fossil site. Apparently Riversleigh is a World heritage site (somewhere in this area) for the fossils that have been found there. It had mammals from 15 million years ago. This place at Isa had the mammals as they would have looked and also some actual bones found at the site. It was pretty interesting! Puts life into some
Riversleigh fossil
No not the lady in the front, the really big bear thing used to wander about in Australia! perspective.
We were booked in for the mining tour next. Mine tours of the 'big mine' have been banned due to a woman falling and sueing the mine, many years ago. So the Hard Times Mine was created. Its a fabulous replica of the real mine, but the equipment and mining procedures were from the 70's before a lot of technology took over. Old miners run the tour so its really authentic. They've done a brilliant job and we got to see what life was like for the miners back then. It must have cost a massive amount of money to create! It also shows the cost of mining too. The massive pieces of machinery are often made up in the mines and when they are buggared they jut get scrapped and crushed with the old tailings. We also found out that the huge big holes in the ground (tunnels) get refilled with the tailings and cement etc. Amazing!
Neil our guide was fabulous! He really painted the picture for us. It was really well done and absolutely worth doing. We had to wear orange jump suits and hard hats, headlamps and boots. Sadly no cameras were allowed..but
Underground Hospital
This is called a tent house, canvas walls etc we had a picture taken at the entrance and I took a photo of it so I can upload it.
We went to the Buffs club (strange name I know) after this for a very late lunch and a courtesy bus ride back. A bit of housework and a rest and thats the day for us. Heading off on the road tomorrow, so where we end up is not known as yet? Wait and see for the next installment!
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