Tag: travel

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 19 – Thargo and Eulo

June 19, 2024

Thargomindah – early morning river walk beside the Barcoo at Pelican Point White-browed woodswallow Little Corella Thargomindah Post Office. One of the oldest buildings in Thargo The bridge over the Bulloo into town at the old Cobb & Co crossing Fairy martins on the banks of the Bulloo The road through mulga east of Thargomindah … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 19 – Thargo and Eulo

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 18 – The Adventure Way

June 18, 2024

Driving before sunrise again for a big day. Lake Houdraman – located east of Quilpie The pelicans were up early too – they were directed here by the billboard. A Restless flycatcher was alert… … and hovering over the water weeds looking for insects. White plumed honeyeater Gum blossom near Quilpie White-browed woodswallows – there … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 18 – The Adventure Way

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 17 – Outback towns

June 17, 2024

We were up early and driving before sunrise. Sunrise on the Landsborough Highway. Hooker’s bauhinia (pegunny) (Lysiphyllum hookeri) were plentiful between Barcaldine and Blackall. Blackall has entrance signs at both ends of town. This one the southern approach. The Big B at the northern approach – after the excitement seeing the Big G earlier on … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 17 – Outback towns

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 16 – Longreach

June 16, 2024

Langbaker’s Cottage- oldest building in Ilfracombe. The highest rated motorhome in Ilfracombe. Emu welcoming visitors to Longreach very much wired to local news. The QANTAS Founder’s Museum looked interesting and not at all plane. QANTAS Boeing 707 – “But my heart keeps calling me backwards; As I get on the 707; Ridin’ high I got … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 16 – Longreach

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 15 – Muttaburra

June 15, 2024

The fortnightly Winton markets were in the main street in the morning so before leaving I bought this lovely piece of Winton petrified wood… and picked up a local date…or two! Farewell to Winton as we head south-east on the Landsborough Highway. The roos were still about beside the highway…. …along with some bustards. The … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 15 – Muttaburra

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 11 – Cloncurry to Mount Isa

June 11, 2024

A slower day today with 122km to Mount Isa. Yoda’s favourite bakery in Cloncurry. Cloncurry is a beef and mining town. There are 11 working mines in the area. Original QANTAS hanger at Cloncurry airport On the road out to the airport there were a couple of corellas. At the Cloncurry River, three founders of … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 11 – Cloncurry to Mount Isa

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 10 – Waltzing Matilda on the Landsborough Highway

June 10, 2024

Today was a drive of 350km north-west on the Landsborough Highway. But first we bid farewell to Winton and our motel brolga. Ayrshire Hills butte and mesas north of Winton One is the butte of all jokes….. …. but the other is a high form of flattery. What did erosion say to the landforms? I’ll … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 10 – Waltzing Matilda on the Landsborough Highway

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 6 – Age of Dinosaurs

June 6, 2024

Main street of Barcaldine with the Comet windmill, Tree of Knowledge canopy and the Shakespeare Hotel (the Shakey). The Tree of Knowledge with the hardwood planks that “chime” when they move with the wind. Striking Shearer statue – after a bit of protesting, the next stop the baabaa shop. The Artesian Hotel was closed – … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 6 – Age of Dinosaurs

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 5 – Aramac

June 5, 2024

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 racecourse is Red Crayon the horse sculpture. Reminds me of the nurse who … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Day 5 – Aramac

The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Days 1 and 2 – The road to Emerald (City)

June 2, 2024

After several road trips south and west, we thought we should have a look in our own backyard in Queensland. And what a big backyard it is! Queensland is the second largest state in Australia. With an area of 1,723,030 square kilometres there is a lot to explore over the next couple of weeks. As … More The Big Backyard – Western Queensland 2024 – Days 1 and 2 – The road to Emerald (City)