The Heart of the Channel Country- Barcoo Shire S/W QLD

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It's certainly another world out here in South Western QLD. The Barcoo Shire is approximately the size of Tasmania and only has 3 towns, Stonehenge, Jundah and Windorah. These 3 towns have a general store, a pub, a school (where only 6 or 7 children attend) an information centre, come library and a police station. The entire Shire's population is 452. The area has a mosaic of channels that flow on to Lake Eyre during wet season. It is extremely difficult for us to imagine it flooding while we view the parched land. This country is of extremes. The people are up beat and friendly, ever so willing to help the tourist. They are excited to see new people and love you to stay and use their facilities.

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Photos

Aerial View of Channel Country
The area is so flat, the channels meander towards the Thomson River from the North, the Barcoo River from the East, merging into Cooper's Creek.

Channel Country in Flood
The water moves very slowly on to Lake Eyre because there is only a 3 cm drop per km in most places.

Narrow Bitumen and Roadtrains
One lane bitumen links the 3 towns which is easier on our van but we often have to give way to 3 and 4 carriage road trains.

Morning Tea
Short stops are just on the side of the road and we feel pretty lucky if we find a tree.

Stock
The properties are unfenced and we have to watch for cattle, sheep, horses and wild life.

Stonehenge
151 kms from Longreach is Stonehenge on the plains of red gibbers. Visitors sign their names beside the road and it has been a tradition for years. Dave refused to get out of the car here. He felt the 3 locals had 6 fingers and he may lose a kidney and never return to civilisation, hence we continued along the road.

Swanvale Jump Up
A Jump Up is land that has not been eroded and giving character to the flat horizon.

Red Boulder Country
Rocky outcrops with spinifex and mulga bush.

Native Well
The aboriginals carved waterholes to create natural wells.

Jundah Welcome
These signs replicate the historic shop front in the main street.

Jundah General Store
This is still the original store. No fresh vegetables. A few tins and frozen bits. Glad we stocked up at Longreach.

Closest Supermarket Longreach
215 km to a small IGA at Longreach or 300 km to a small Foodworks at Quilpie.

Our Camp
Camped by the Thomson River.

Nature Track
Plenty of places to walk along the nature track.

Community Spirit
With only 50 people in the town community spirit is very strong. These locals are out planting plaques for the nature track.

Right Angle Tree Roots
Amazing root systems on the trees by the river.

Red Gibber Plains
Rich in colour and texture.

Lil is doing fine
She doesn't mind an air conditioned road trip.