Jack Taylor Weir at St George dams the Balonne River.

The Big Murray Cod featured in this blog two years ago – it is an impressive scuplture but cod have been bigger. Let minnow if you have any fish puns so I can put a few in a roe.

The yabby’s last view.

White-necked heron

Ringneck parrot

Red rumped parrot feeding on the ground…

… and in water plants along the Balonne River.

The red rump becomes more apparent when in flight.

Pale-headed rosella

Maned duck / Australian wood duck

We had a nice chat with Trent from the St George Bakery who drives this 1917 Model T Ford around town on deliveries. The bakery goods were a treat too.

It has been out to Cameron Corner and back!

Local cotton

Beardmore Dam provides water supply for St George and the cotton industry.

Queensland Bottle Trees near Surat

We counted 20 in about a hectare (about 2.5 acres). Farmers left them standing when clearing scrub as they can be used as fodder in severe drought.

Pegunny (native bauhinia) are also retained and are a feature of the landscapes here.

Surat is home to the Mandandanji people. European pastoralists moved into the area in 1848.

The guy above is a bit of an extrovert and sits on the town entry sign showing off his catch. He is fishing for complements.

The heritage-listed Surat Shire Hall was built in 1929.

Cobb and Co Changing Station is a museum showcasing the importance of Cobb and Co coaches in early transport in Australia. After 70 years on the road Cobb & Co ran its last coach in 1924 between Yuleba and Surat.

14-seater Cobb & Co coach

The 7 horse set up that powered the coach. There were 30 000 horses used on the Cobb and Co transport routes around Australia with up to 6000 in use at any time. Changing Stations allowed for horses to be rested and fresh horses used to maintain speed between towns.

The Museum also examines the early lives of local drovers and shearers.

A station close to Surat.

Yellowbelly in the 25000 litre tank at the Museum.

Balonne River at Surat Weir. The Condamine River meets Dogwood Creek upstream from Surat and becomes the Balonne River. Downstream the Balonne River becomes the Barwon River and then the Darling River in New South Wales.

Surat also has a Big Cod. Freshwater fish also provide Omega 3 which helps brain function – now that’s food for thought.

Currawong in a Pegunny tree at Surat

Mrs Peewee (female Magpie lark)

Magpies and pied butcherbirds

We had planned on visiting Myall Park Botanic Gardens but the wildflower season has not started so we will do it another time. Peak flowering is at the end of August.

A remnant prickly pear cactus – this area was once overgrown before the introduction of the Cactoblastis moth – a biological agent that brought the cactus under control.

Only Leaded petrol at Glenmorgan – it would be fuelish to try to fill the tank here.

Hey guys, is the grass greener on the other side?

Yeah, let’s go!

Yeah, nah…back we go.

Moo-dy friends.

Meandarra railway station strayed far from the tracks.

We drove through to Chinchilla for the night.