The volcanic rock basalt forms a capping on many higher parts north of Hughenden. Another close encounter of the herd kind. Short walk to the top of Bottle Tree Ridge off the road to Porcupine Gorge. Broad-leaved bottle tree (Brachychiton australis) – very stunted form growing on basalt at Bottle Tree Ridge. Savannah plains near … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 14 – Porcupine Gorge

The previous day in reverse. We had our car serviced in Mount Isa in the morning. While the car was serviced, we visited Outback at The Isa which has a Riversleigh Fossil display from the time of Australia’s megafauna. The Centre also displays Mount Isa’s mining heritage. After the iphone and ipad comes icattle – … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 12 – The Isa to the Curry

Map: Qld Department of Environment and Sciencce Winton has the best rubbish bins even though dinosaurs are dead on their feet. Long Waterhole outside Winton. Now a preferred habitat of Grey Nomads (dressed in camouflage in 50 shades of beige), its claim to fame was once being used as the site for the biennial World … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 9 – Bladensburg National Park