The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 5

The road to Aramac – Aramac is 68km north of Barcaldine and the district is the birthplace of my great grandmother in 1863 at Aramac Staion which existed before the town of Aramac was founded.

On the way into town near the racebourse is Red Crayon the horse sculpture. Reminds me of the nurse who took a red crayon to work in case they had to draw blood.

The White Bull commemorates one of the most famous cattle stealing episodes in Australia’s history. In an unbelievea-bull story, Harry Redford stole 1000 cattle and a white bull in 1870 from Bowen Downs near Aramac. He drove the mob to South Australia through some of the toughest country in Australia across the Channel Country and Strezlecki Track to a property near Maree in South Australia where he sold them for 5000 pounds (worth about a million dollars in today’s money).

Twelve smaller white bulls (Aramac’s Adorabulls) are placed around town at strategic points including Readabull at the Library, Bankabull at the bank, Postabull at the Post Office and the Burnabull above at the Fire Station.

Brolgas on the Sculpture Trail that goes for approximately 210km.

A Barcaldine Regional Council brochure explains how the sculptures were made: “Ask a local and you may be told an interesting story about a sheila with a few roos loose in the top paddock. In reality, the sculptures are the works of a local sculptor, Milynda Rogers, who resided on a grazing property along the trail and decided she needed a platform to display her work. The result is one of the biggest, permanent, outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the world. She has combined her love of sculpture and incredible ability to turn junk into art to fulfil her wish to put a smile on people’s faces.”

Some sculptures are harder to find but most are discoverabull.

Fighting Red Roos…

..and the real thing.

Walk Like an Egyptian has made the local music charts.

Eagle and Nest of Chicks – wedgelings about to become fledglings

Returned Soldier

Gray Rock is a sandstone outcrop that was a stopping point for Cobb and Co in the 1870s. The site originally had a hotel which was a changing point for the coach horses. The visiting public and some locals have carved their names on the sandstone rock leaving a lasting history of the travellers to the region.

Horsetailers Gorge was once used as a camping spot for drovers. The sides of the gorge form a natural barrier that kept their horses from wandering at night. The gorge and surrounding area contain examples of classic Western Queensland desert and range country.

Road hazards on the Sculpture Trail. About a third of the trail is sealed.

Pushbike with Goanna and Kangaroos – When do goannas and kangaroos ride bikes? When they are too tyred.

Ram – another example of shear determination

Harry Redford – statue commemorating his droving expertise. After the white bull was recognised in South Australia, the police finally caught up with Harry in Sydney in 1872, and he faced trial in Roma, Queensland. However, the jury members were so impressed by his achievements that they found him not guilty, whereupon the judge remarked, “Thank God, gentlemen, that verdict is yours and not mine!” In response to the verdict, the Government shut down the Roma District Criminal Court for two years. The verdict made Harry feel “untoucha-bull” but he was imprisoned for horse stealing a few years later.

Johnathan Thurston – in league with the other sculptures.

Pair of Plains Turkeys – a couple of old bustards.

Jabirus

Salt lake

Echidna – a star-pick(et) on the trail

Smooth polished gibber rocks formed hard pans across the surface in places.

Emu and Chicks. Two swift ones on the right.

I photographed this just for the frill of it.

Crayfish near Lake Dunn

Lake Dunn is a freshwater lake in the locality of Upland north-east of Aramac. The lake is the only wetland area in Central West Queensland and is sometimes home to a large water bird populations.