Way out west : Winton, Windorah and the big wet

[Treepol]

 Day 12

This morning we searched in vain for a second view of the Blue Bonnets and Mallee Ringneck. The unexpected visit of the fruit and vegie truck together with the queue had formed waiting for the ‘shop’ to open was an experience not to be missed.

 

 

 

After a quick stop to check out this novel retail outlet, we drove out of town in search of Chestnut-crowned Babblers. The colony was busy building nests, so we left them alone. Out the other side of town a handsome Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush peeked at us shyly from within a sheltering tree, whilst Black-faced Woodswallows soaked up the morning sun.

 

 

Morning tea was in Jundah, where there was a true old-fashioned country store.

 

 

 

A keen horseman lives here!

 

Native wells are natural features that had been filled by the floodwaters that roared along this creek.

 

 

 

Lunch today is at the pub in Stonehenge, where galahs sheltered from the sun in the gum trees. 

 

 

 

The pub has some interesting relics from the droving days, whilst a modern sculpture at the Information Centre highlights the value of sheep farming to the shire.

 

 

 

 

We saw moon rocks (aka Calcareous Concretion) like these a few times on our travels. The name is derived from the round shape and whitish appearance of these extraordinary rocks. Moon rocks range in size from tiny to immoveable and were formed over 50,000,000 years ago when parts of the inland sea that covered much of the outback dried up.

 

 

Here is another example of outback ingenuity - a raised garden bed, outback style.

 

 

...and quirky outback humour

 

 

The drive back to Longreach from Stonehenge seemed to take to time at all and by late afternoon we were back in town where the sightings of the last 12 days were discussed over dinner and memories of the green Channel Country were savoured.

 

Conclusion

 

Almost 80 years have passed since mail and supplies travelled up the Birdsville Track to isolated homesteads along the way, when horses and camels preceded motor vehicles in opening up the Channel Country. Whilst pockets of ‘outback character’ remain in this unique region, those hallmarks of modern life, wi-fi and coffee machines have penetrated the Channel Country. Today this part of Australia has been opened up by improved roads, better 4 WDs and all-terrain caravans, seasonal backpacker workers and mobile and satellite phones. None of these are bad things, but combined they have changed the face of a fair dinkum and unique Australian way of life. Today’s outback is a different place to what I saw on outback trips between 1986 and 1991 when it was 1000s of kilometres between cappuccinos!

 

We saw 126 bird species, a little lighter than the usual 150 or 180 species in a good year and travelled about 2,600 kms around the Channel Country. Whilst the creeping floodwaters may have reduced the number of species we clocked up, it more than compensated by allowing views of this unique region in an even more unique green season.

 

 

 

Photo finish

 

Winton

 

 near Lark Quarry

 

Bedourie

 

Bedourie

 

Bedourie

 

near Birdsville

 

 

Longreach

 

 

Longreach saddler

 

 

Longreach Bakery

 

Longreach

 

Longreach

 

Longreach

 

Longreach

 

Longreach

 

Longreach

 

Longreach Railway Station

 

 

[Di Stow]

what a completely wonderful experience. and so interesting.

the photographs are absolutely wonderful 

[lmSA84]

Really fascinating portrait of an area I know very little about - with some beautiful photos to boot. Thanks for sharing

Edited July 22, 2019 by lmSA84

[Zubbie15]

Thanks again for @Treepol, fascinating report.

[xelas]

A beautiful insight in a piece of far away world, @Treepol .

[janzin]

fascinating report! Love all the insights into history and the way of life in this unique and very different area. Would love to get there someday...I'm really eager to go back to Australia!

[Soukous]

A wonderful insight into Outback Australia. 

[Caracal]

Enjoyed every aspect of this special report.

[Treepol]

@Di Stow @lmSA84 @Zubbie15 @xelas @Soukous @janzin and @Caracal thanks for reading along and for your kind comments.

[Atravelynn]

Such pink, pink galahs.  Almost a signage safari!  You DO take interesting trips!

[Treepol]

@Atravelynn this was certainly an interesting trip and those signs were too good to pass by without comment. I will be birding regional Victoria in November this year, a trip which promises another close-up look at Australian rural life.

[jmharack]

Thanks Treepol!  I am late to this party, but always learn so much from your reports.  I am in Australia with some regularity, and get so many ideas from you!

 

[Treepol]

@jmharack thanks for the feedback - happy to help. If you make it Tasmania it would be good to meet up. (and I really must sign up as a Safari pal.)