I hadn't intended to return to Gordon Smith's 2011 outback tour so soon, but I was struck by this photo.
Who would expect to meet a modern tank in the Queensland outback? Actually, I suspect that there is a real story here. But that's a matter for another post!
This photo shows brolgas at Bladensburg National Park. This is around 16 km (10 miles) from Winton in inland Queensland.
Do have a browse of all his outback tour 2011 photos. I think that you will find it rewarding.
It may sound dumb, but for someone who lived for so long in Armidale I rarely ventured north into inland Queensland. Our focus tended to be east and south, partly because the coast was a place for holidays, partly because state boundaries dictated that so much official business had to be carried out in Sydney.
My father was different. After he retired, he packed Mum into the car with his camera and went exploring. At first his focus was on New England, but then extended to inland Queensland.
There is some fantastic country there. I mention this because Gor
The caption on this photo reads:
This view seems to come from the land that time forgot. Can’t you almost spot the dinosaurs about to push out from between the trees?
You can see what Gordon means.
There are some wonderful photos. If you want to follow Gordon's trip, click on Outback 2011.
Photo; Airport, Cloncurry, the start of QANTAS
Cloncurry (and here) in north west Queensland has the honour of holding the record for the highest recorded temperature in Australia - 53.1c in 1889. Now that's hot.
I mention this because Cloncurry is to be the site for a new type of solar power station in which 8,000 mirrors will focus sunlight onto graphite blocks. Water pumped through the blocks will turn to steam, driving a turbine generator.
When fully functional, the new power station is expected to generate 10 megawatts of electricity, enough power for 3,500 people.
Cloncurry has a rich history.
In 1861 Burke and Wills with King and Gray, were the first Europeans to come into the area on their ill fated expedition to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Burke named the river “Cloncurry” for his cousin, Lady Elizabeth Cloncurry of County Galway in Ireland.
In May 1867, Ernest Henry (honored as town founder), came searching for grazing land. Instead he discovered copper, the start of great mineral wealth that continues until today.
Cloncurry has been the focal point for a number of Australia’s greatest innovations.
On 3 November 1922, what is now QANTAS flew its first passenger (Alexander Kennedy) from Longreach to Cloncurry on November 3rd 1922 at a cost of 11 pounds 2 shillings. The original QANTAS Hanger is still in use at the aerodrome, with “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service” still displayed above the hanger door The airport was also on route for early planes coming from overseas and a stopping point for contestants in the great air races of 1919 and 1934.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service was founded here in 1928, now recognized the world over for its delivery of medical services across the vast outback. Cloncurry has a museum dedicated to the Service's history. The airport was also on route for early planes coming from overseas and a stopping point for contestants in the great air races of 1919 and 1934. During the Second World War, Cloncurry was the site of a major United States of America Air Base.
In all, a rich history.
Cloncurry is also on The Inlander, one of Queensland's great rail routes.
Photo: From Gordon Smith, Grass Tree Forest, Look and See.
Looking slightly surreal, grass trees in State Forest on the edge of the Bunya Mountains National Park, Queensland.
The nuts of the Bunya pine were a traditional food for the Australian Aborigines. When the pine fruited, Aborigines would gather from what is now southern Queensland and Northern New England for ceremonies and to feast.
Today the Bunya Mountains National Park preserves some of this tradition.
Photo: This photo looks a bit like Dante's Inferno, but it is in fact the Alumina Works, Gladstone, Queensland.
Australia is in the midst of a national election campaign. One side effect is that the commentary is drawing out some of the distinctions between Australia's electorates. And they are substantial.
This photo comes from a story in the Sydney Morning Herald about the seat of Flynn in Queensland. Centred on the regional city of Gladstone, Flynn is one of the centres of Australia's resources boom. There are also some rather nice tourist attractions nearby.
Notionally a strong National Party seat, Flynn is a seat to watch in the event of a major swing.
In my last post I mentioned Australian state borders and the strange case of Jennings, a little known NSW and/or Queensland town depending on where the border is.
Jennings' twin town, Wallangarra, is better known because it is on the New England Highway. Wallangarra is also the most southern town in Queensland's Granite Belt, the Queensland part of the New England Tablelands known for its fruit and wine. I mentioned in an earlier post that I had just visited the Granite Belt and would write some stories once my photos were back.
While Wallangarra is better known, I suspect that far to few people stop and visit the railway station. It is worth a visit.
Wallangarra was the junction on the Great Northern Railway, once the main Sydney-Brisbane rail line, between the NSW and Queensland railways with their different rail gauges. Upon arrival, passengers used to carry their luggage across the station to join the train on the other side.
The differences in rail guage carried through into differences in architecture.
The photo below shows the Queensland side of the station, still a sometimes working platform. Sadly, NSW abandoned its part of the railway in the 1970s. The roof shape and hanging baskets are typical of Queensland stations.
Now look at next photo. This is the NSW side. The flat roof is typical of NSW stations of the period. One railway station, two very different feels carefully maintained to preserve the difference. Very much worth a visit.
Photo: Summer Sunset Ballandean Lodge
The delay in posting was due to a visit to Queensland's Granite Belt, the name given to the northern extension of the New England Tableland into Queensland.
The photo is from Ballandean Lodge where we stayed, a fair representation of the magnificent sunsets.
I will do some full posts as soon as my photos are back.
Australian Herbs, Spices from Vic Cherikoff and Dining Downunder.
