Blogs from Birdsville, Queensland, Australia, Oceania - page 3

Left Emerald and drove to Barcaldine The town has about a 1km-long stretch of old restored machinery along it's main street - very interesting. Next stop Longreach - spent 3 days there. Saw the Stockman's Hall of Fame (BRILLIANT) and the Qantas Museum (good if you're a plane freak). Ran into Johh & Lyn Collins from I'fail - small world again! Next stop Winton - the Dinosaur Trackway (had to go but not mind-blowing and a 220km round-trip!), Elliot (the largest dinosaur yet found in Australia) - there is a plaster cast of him in the Dinosaur Museum, the Waltzing Matilda Centre (a memorial to Banjo Paterson). This place was EXCELLENT with lots to look at - not just "Banjo' stuff but local history, general outback stuff, pictures, etc. Thoroughly recommended. Now in Boulia (Min Min ... read more

Our journey in our government issued 2 wheel drive 4 cylinder car started in Mackay on the coast of Qld on Sunday morning at 5-30am. After a quick stop at Nebo for breakfast and a hilarious look at the police breath testing the campers from the night before rodeo, we were off on our outback trip. Our lunch stop was at the Gemfields 450km inland from Mackay. 50kms west of Emerald lie the towns of Anakie, Sapphire and Rubyvale. These towns are home to the many people who are trying to make their living from digging in the surrounding dirt piles to find precious gems such as sapphires. Life is pretty rough and ready with many living in lean toos, caravans, and make shift shacks. Dirt is dug from the surrounds, washed and sifted and ... read more

Day 4 - Innamincka to Birdsville We packed up camp and Luke did the usual of cooking too many patties, so I had a breakfast (not by choice, again!) of cooked meat... We soon got on our way with Dad at the wheel. Soon enough we came across some bull dust which Dad hit at quite high speed, causing us to fly about the car (and the cow hoof that was sitting on the back towbar must have fallen off)! After passing a car that must have hit the bull dust a little too fast we joined the Birdsville track and passed over the Queensland border. Luke found great delight in yelling at the top of his voice how much gibber (rocks in the desert) there was, trying to sell some on the two-way radio. We ... read more

June 25, Thursday. It was still cold this morning. I found the track a little better south of Bedourie. Must have negotiated at least a half a dozen wet spots and had to get out and walk each one. The process; taking off my boots and socks. If the ground was rough on my feet there was a good chance that it would be safe for the car. If it felt soft, I would keep a wide birth when traversing the area. Did a fair amount of filming and it took some time to do the 191 kilometres into Birdsville. Now, of all the pubs in Australia the Birdsville Pub is the most famous and I just had to make a visit. Oh yes, I needed a beer while I was there. My next decision is ... read more