It’s a long way from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast to the Red Centre of Australia but the roads less travelled have their rewards. After a later start than expected, the twin tunnels of Airportlink and Legacy Way had us back on time.

The road west from Brisbane crosses the Great Dividing Range at Cunningham’s Gap – a bit easier today than Alan Cunningham’s traverse in 1823. No matter how many times I have travelled this road, I still marvel at the majestic landscapes.

The country starts opening up to the expanses of the Southern Darling Downs. We stopped for lunch at Warwick beckoned by the highway promise of award winning goods at Steele’s Bakery. Every country town in Australia has award winning pies or pastries. This one passed the test. Score: 4 out of 5 tempting apple charlottes.

We stopped at Lake Coolamunda east of Inglewood to stretch our legs. At one point we saw sheep near pelicans – you don’t see that too often at the coast.

Our first emu of the trip outside Inglewood! Total emu count for Day 1 – 20.  By the way, why did the emu cross the road? To prove it wasn’t a chicken.

The silos at Yelarbon.

Black kites at the Water Park outside Goondiwindi.

A touch of South America at Boggabilla.

Red-rumped parrots at Moree – a pair with female at left and male right.

The colours of nature.

Sunset at Moree. Dinner in the RSL next door to our motel for the night. Dinner score: 3 out of 5 reformed chicken schnitzels.

PS If at any time over the next month, you tire of arid landscapes and wildlife images with casual observations of small Australian towns, it is OK to let me know you have had enough! A Cease and Desist email will spare you any more outback ramblings.