B
o o l l u
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Shire
. . . e c n e u t O b i a r r c u e k p o x e y e s oo
Thargomindah - Hungerford - Noccundra - Cameron Corner
The Bulloo Shire is the third largest Shire in Queensland and includes the towns of Thargomindah, Hungerford, Noccundra, and Cameron Corner. Thargomindah is the hub of the Bulloo Shire and lies on the Bulloo River, approximately 1 000 km due west of Brisbane along the Adventure Way. The Bulloo Shire has a long and colourful history of explorers and pastoralists, from the ill fated Burke and Wills Expedition through to current expeditions searching for oil and gas reserves; all looking for hidden treasure in the centre of this big country. It is a diverse landscape, which is what you expect from the Outback, in terms of sand dunes, big skies and wide open spaces, to what you don’t expect, namely: expansive river and lake systems, abundant bird life and a huge diversity of wildlife. If you haven’t been to the Outback before, the Bulloo Shire is a great place to start. The roads are well maintained, the facilities are great, people are friendly and the scenery will blow your socks off. So grab your gear, pack a camera and head on out to experience the Outback the way you choose to...
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T h er
e’s something for everyone...
Table of Contents Life in the Bulloo Shire Staying in Thargomindah What’s to see and do in Thargomindah There’s always someone to help
...4-5 ...6-7 ... 8-9 ...10-11
Check out the birds at Lake Bindegolly Currawinya National Park - Our own special Ramsar Wetland
...12-13
Experience Outback events Experience Outback relaxation Experience Outback hospitality Experience Outback roads
...16-17 ...18-19 ...20-21 ...22-23
...14-15
A Grand Entrance to Bulloo Shire - Hungerford ...24-25 Every pub needs its own airstrip - Noccundra ...26-27 Burke and Wills - Expedition that went wrong - The Dig Tree ..28-29 New Year in three time zones - Cameron Corner ...30-31 Thargo the easy way - via Cunnamulla Thargo the fun way - The Dowling Track . Thargo the natural way - via the Natural Sciences Loop Thargo the long way - The Adventure Way
...32-33 ...34-35 ...36-37 ...38-39
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The Bulloo Shire is home to about 300 permanent residents, as well as quite a few part time residents. The traditional pastoral industries are all found around the Shire - sheep and cattle stations, ringers, shearers, bush mechanics and the people who traditionally service their needs - teachers, nurses, retailers, postal services; however now days, quite often things are done a little different than in the past. Thargomindah School, through the co-operation of the Council and Department of Education, now hosts Distance Education classes on the school grounds to enable high school students to live closer to home rather than boarding.
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In remote towns such as Thargomindah, our Posties play a special role. Quite often they are the lifeline between our rural familes and their suppliers. As the mail goes out each week, so does food and general supplies to the Stations and outlying areas. All sorts of things are delivered, even items such as aeroplane spare parts.
The oil and gas fields to the west of town are an important part of our economy. A number of businesses in the Bulloo Shire have been developed to service the needs of these companies.
Like many rural communities, health and safety are major issues affecting both locals and visitors. Again, it is cooperation between agencies that keeps our health services ticking along. Thargomindah township has a permanent health clinic, manned 7 days per week by highly experienced nurses. Once per week, the RFDS doctor flies into town to host a patient clinic. Mostly they provide GP services; however regular specialist practitioner clinics are held as well. Prescriptions are filled at either Quilpie or Cunnamulla, and arrive via the Postman. So if you are travelling to the area, please make sure you have your medications before you leave home.
Echidna Place on Dowling Street, as you come into town from the East, is the “go to” place for information about the Bulloo Shire. It is our Visitor Information Centre, Library and town meeting room, complete with it’s own coffee shop. A welcome place for a nice meal or a catch up.
Council has provided the Hungerford Medical Centre that is used once a month for the RFDS Clinic.
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. . . e r i S o o h l l u B e h t in
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The Explorers Caravan Park offers accommodation for either Caravanners or Campers, along with modern en-suite Cabins and Bunkhouse style accommodation with wheelchair access. Powered sites are set amongst rows of native shrubs and trees, whilst unpowered sites are in a typical Outback setting, with fixed fire places. The Park is a AAA rated 4 Star Park offering a well equipped camp kitchen, gas and electric BBQ’s, a modern amenities block, and numerous quiet van, tent, and camp sites. The Park is also rated as “Environmentally Friendly” with a “Green Star” rating.
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Explorers Caravan Park 07 4655 3307 Napunyah Caravan Park 07 4655 3197 Bulloo River Hotel/Motel 07 4655 3125 Oasis Motel & Restaurant 07 4655 3155
The Napunyah ** Caravan Park is an older style Caravan Park, which sits on the banks of the Bulloo River, and is situated approximately 50 m from the heart of Thargomindah Township. The Park offers quiet van, tent, and camp sites for either Caravanners or Campers with powered and unpowered sites set on a grassed area.
** Napunya and Yapunyah are words of aboriginal origin, used interchangably to identify Eucalyptus ochraphloia. Both names are used throughout the Bulloo Shire.
The Bulloo River Hotel/Motel and the Oasis Motel and Licenced Restaurant are situated in the heart of Thargomindah township, and are within a short walking distance of all the facilities that the town has to offer. The Bulloo River Motel offers nine modern air-conditioned en-suite Motel rooms, many of which are accessible to wheelchairs. Six of the rooms have a queen bed and a single bed, whilst the remaining three rooms have twin single beds. Meals are provided for guests in the Hotel dining room. The Oasis Motel and Licenced Restaurant offers modern air-conditioned en-suite Motel rooms. All rooms have a TV and DVD, a fridge, microwave and tea and coffee making facilities. The Oasis, with ample off street parking, is just a short walk from the Bulloo River, a great place to spend your evenings walking, fishing or just sitting enjoying the serenity of this lovely town. Alternatively, enjoy the inground pool or any of the other sporting facilities in Thargomindah.
Thargomindah has great sporting facilities that are for everyone’s use: Swimming Golf Tennis Squash Fishing Ask about our loan equipment at the Community Centre.
n i T g h n a i r g y o m a i ndah... t S
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Hydro Power Plant
Leahy Historical House
Leahy House was built after 1885 when the Deed of Grant was made to the Thargomindah Newspaper Company, which was owned by John and Patrick Leahy. It was sold to Sir Sidney Kidman, the cattle baron, in 1912. The house is built of the original, locally made, mud brick and was continuously lived in until 1995, when the Bulloo Shire Council purchased the building. It was then handed to the Thargomindah Historical Society in Trust for the community.
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Thargomindah was the first town in Australia, and third in the world, to produce hydroelectric power for street lighting by using the water pressure from the Artesian Basin. In 1891 drilling commenced on a bore to supply the town with water, and in 1893 a good supply was struck at a depth of 2 650 feet (808m) with the water coming from the bore at a temperature of 84°C (182°F). The old bore was the source of energy for Australia’s first hydro-electric scheme when in 1898 Thargomindah’s street lights were powered by means of generators coupled to a water turbine driven by the bore’s natural water pressure. This method was in operation until 1951, when diesel generators were installed. The town was connected to the Grid system in 1988.
Thargomindah Herald Printers
The Thargomindah Herald Printers was built of locally produced unfired Mud Brick in 1870 and constructed by Patrick and John Leahy. The first Thargomindah Herald was published in 1884 and was widely circulated in the area. In 1884 John Leahy became a partner in the Thargomindah Herald, which had been established by Patrick, and was printed by P.J. Leahy for the Thargomindah Newspaper Company Limited. The Cooper Creek Advertiser was also printed in this building.
Original Thargomindah Hospital
The Hospital was built prior to 1888 of locally produced unfired Mud Brick. The bricks were made from black soil on the banks of the Bulloo River just south of the town, at the site of what was the Chinese Market Gardens. The Old Hospital is also reputed to have a resident ghost, who is thought to be a former Matron, who unfortunately died in mysterious circumstances.
. . . o g r a h T n i e Lots to se
Cobb & Co Crossing
During the late 1880’s, Thargomindah became the home for Cobb & Co Coaches, which serviced the distant settlements of Hungerford, Wompah, Oontoo, Kyabra and Toompine. The trip by Stage Coach to Cunnamulla, which was a distance of 150 miles, would take about 5–6 days, on a good road. The stone crossing was used up until late 1929 when the current bridge was built.
Old and New Cemeteries
“CONDUIT between above and below”
Bronze Bust Sculptures of Vincent Dowling and
John Leahy have been created by distinguished national artist William Eicholtz of Melbourne to honour the memory of two intrepid pioneers, and signify the importance of the contribution that they made to the settlement and growth of Thargomindah and the Bulloo Shire.
The old Cemetery is located very close to town, and contains only a few headstones. These date back to 1882. The new Cemetery is located on the outskirts of town and contains graves dating back to the 1890’s. The Cemetery Register had to be reconstructed from local knowledge, as a fire destroyed the original records.
Storm rain, the Great Artesian Basin and the river and creek systems are important water elements in the region. Artist, Fredrick White created this sculpture, which comprises a field of galvanized poles, representing the 4 700 bores that provide the only reliable source of water throughout much of inland Australia. There are 52 poles in the work – a number chosen to represent the need for water all year round. The illusion of depth in the centre of the work signifies the average depth of an Artesian bore, which is approximately 500 m.
Thargomindah Post Office
The Thargomindah Post Office was opened in 1870; however it was destroyed by a storm in 1877. In 1952 a fire burnt out the interior of the current Post Office building. The present day Post Office still has the original exterior walls, which were constructed of the locally made Mud Brick. It is one of only four remaining buildings in the Town constructed by the old Mud Brick method.
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. . . p l e h o t e n o e m o s s y a s alw
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EMERGENCY NUMBERS LOCAL BUSINESS NUMBERS Hospital 07 4655 3361 Airline Agent 0429 144 007 Police Thargomindah 07 4655 3200 Coffee on Dowling 07 4621 8092 Police Hungerford 07 4655 4088 Fergie’s Roadhouse & Freight 07 4655 3313 State Emergency Service 07 4621 8000 General Trade Industries 07 4655 3031 Flood Phone 07 4655 3105 Post Office 07 4655 3147 Thargomindah General Store 07 4655 3232 QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT Thargo Motors 07 4655 3225 Lake Bindegolly 07 4655 3173 Turnout’s Mechanical & RACQ 07 4655 3243 Qld Parks & Wildlife Service 07 4655 3173 QLD Government Agent (QGAP) 07 4655 3291 Currawinya National Park 07 4655 4001 ACCOMMODATION Epsilon Station - Betts G&S 07 4655 4324 Kilcowera Station - Sherwin G&T 07 4655 4960 LOCAL GOVERNMENT Noccundra Hotel 07 4655 4317 Bulloo Shire Council 07 4621 8000 Royal Mail Hotel - Hungerford 07 4655 4093 Aerodrome 07 4655 3126 Bulloo River Hotel Motel 07 4655 3125 Community Centre, Dowling St 07 4655 3266 Oasis Motel 07 4655 3155 Swimming Pool Thargomindah 07 4655 3107 Explorers Caravan Park 07 4655 3307 Shire Library 07 4621 8094 Cameron Corner Store 08 8091 3872 Visitor Information Centre 07 4621 8095 10
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Artesian Well Reserve
Toilets
Hydro Power Plant
Public Telephone
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Start/ Finish Heritage Walk Aerodrome
Start/ Finish River Walk
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Council Depot
Easton Drive
Cooling Ponds
Old Hospital Eccles Street
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Speedy Street
Frew Street
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Caravan Park 1
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Bike Track
Sams Street
Dowling Street
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To Cunnamulla
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Eccles Street
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Fitzwalter Street
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Explorers Caravan Park Thargomindah Hospital Leahy House Oasis Motel Thargo Motors Town Hall Swimming Pool Echidna Place - Library, Visitor Information Centre, Coffee Shop
26 McGregor Street
Shire Top Yard
Road to Rodeo Grounds and Polocrosse Grounds
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
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Stafford Street
Gilmour Street
New Town Bore
Road to Cemetery & Golf Club
9. Thargomindah State School 10. Community Centre 11. Memorial Park 12. Thargomindah General Store 13. Catholic Church 14. Bulloo River Hotel/Motel 15. Council Chambers/Bronze Bust Scupltures 16. Police Station 17. Post Office 18. Fergies Roadhouse & Freight 19. Old Thargomindah Printers 20. Old Town Hall & Shire Office 21. Turnout’s Mechanical & RACQ 22. Conduit Art Work 23. Dump Point & Washdown Facilities 24. Hydro Power Plant 25. General Trade Industries 26. Old Thargomindah Hospital 27. Bike Track 28. Cobb & Co Crossing 29. Napunyah Caravan Park 30. Skate Park
Town Dump
Watts Street
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Bulloo Development Road (Adventure Way)
Drinking water/ Drinks available
To Noccundra, Dig Tree, Innamincka etc.
Sports Ground
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Bulloo
pmen
t Road
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Powell Street
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Bulloo River Pelican Point Picnic Area
Develo
Bulloo River
(Adve ntu
re Wa y)
Bulloo River Crossing Picnic Area
31. Old Thargomindah Cemetery 32. Current Cemetery 33. Golf Club 34. Polocrosse & Rodeo Grounds
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C he
ck out the birds... A string of separate lakes - Hutchinson, Toomaroo and Lake Bindegolly - join to form a vast ribbon of water after heavy rain. More than just lakes, 14 000 ha Lake Bindegolly National Park was gazetted in 1991 to protect the rare tree Acacia ammophila that grows along nearby sand dunes. This diverse park also contains samphire flats, claypans, sand dunes, hard and soft red mulga country, gidgee woodlands and Eremophila shrublands. When water arrives in the lakes, so do the birds. Red-necked avocets, pied stilts, pink-eared ducks, grey teal and hard head ducks are usually the first waterbirds to arrive. Waterbirds are attracted by the diverse invertebrates such as shrimps, yabbies and insects, which explode in numbers, and the fish and aquatic plants that develop. These birds are followed by spoonbills, cormorants, black swans, terns, gulls, coots, grebes, and even more ducks, including the ‘near threatened’ freckled duck. Most of these birds usually stay on through to the final stages of the lakes’ drying-up with the fish-eating birds the first to leave.
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Finding Bindegolly Just off the sealed Bulloo Developmental Road (Adventure Way) 150 km west of Cunnamulla, 40 km east of Thargomindah . Camping is not permitted at Lake Bindegolly National Park; however bush camping is available nearby. Walking: Lake Bindegolly circuit 9.2 km, 3 hrs return Skirt the eastern edge of Lake Bindegolly to return via low, grass-covered sand hills. Stop to look for waterbirds at an observation point located at the edge of the Iake. Note: Sections of the walking track may be covered by water when the lake is full. Please stay on the track. Although able to withstand high salt levels and long periods both in and out of water, samphire (salt-tolerant) plants are easily destroyed by trampling. Samphire plants trap sediments and nutrients and help stabilise the lakes’ edges.
...at L ake Bindegolly
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. . . k r a a N t i a P o n l y a n i w a rr
Greater Bilby Photo Š Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
Currawinya National Park is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. These lakes are important breeding and refuge sites for a spectacular array of waterbirds, including waders migrating from across Australia and the world. Currawinya’s wetlands regularly support up to 100 000 waterbirds. Of particular importance are lakes Numalla and Wyara. No other wetland complex in arid or southern Australia is thought to consistently support such large populations of waterbirds. Separated by only a few kilometres of sand dunes, each has different water conditions. Lake Numalla receives floodwaters more frequently from the Paroo River and is usually permanent. It holds fresh water, while the slightly larger Lake Wyara is saline and regularly dries to a vast, white claypan. Different bird communities 14 live on each of the lakes at different times. Lake Wyara supports a greater number of waterbirds while Lake Numalla has a greater diversity.
The Greater Bilby has disappeared from nearly 90% of its former range in Queensland. An ambitious project to reintroduce the bilby to parts of its former range is being conducted within the Bulloo Shire at Currawinya National Park. Make an effort to visit Currawinya, marvel in its natural beauty and find out about the community bilby project.
p e s c i r a l u Ramsar O . . .
Wetland
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Finding Currawinya Near Hungerford on the Queensland/New South Wales border, all access roads to Currawinya are unsealed and impassable when wet. A 4WD vehicle is recommended. From Cunnamulla, drive 70 km south-west to Eulo, then a further 4 km west before turning south towards Hungerford. The final 97 km to the Park office takes 1-1.5 hours to drive. From the south, enter the Park via Hungerford, 217 km north-west of Bourke. The Park office is 25 km north of Hungerford. Things to do in Currawinya Drive to the Lakes. Walk to The Granites. Visit Heritage Sites - Currawinya has a large number of sites significant to Aboriginal people. Visit Heritage Places - the old Caiwarro homestead site, 37 km north of the park office. Fishing is permitted along the Paroo River and in selected areas of Lake Numalla. Only live bait caught within the Paroo River system can be brought into the park. Canoeing, kayaking and swimming are permitted on Lake Numalla; however motorised boats and jet skis are not permitted on either of the lakes.
Just a sample of what’s on offer in the Bulloo Shire April - Channel Country Stockman’s Challenge Entertainment includes campdrafting, two handed cutting events and the kids’ “chook challenge” with a bar, canteen and DJ each night. A great weekend for locals and visitors. Let your hair down in true Outback fashion. June - Thargomindah Polocrosse Carnival - Held annually, with teams travelling from Eulo, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Wyandra, Quilpie and sometimes even Toowoomba. Thargomindah Polocrosse - Outback polocrosse at its best. Hungerford Biennial Field Day - A family educational and social day, with stalls and entertainment for everyone throughout the day, and a bar and disco at night. July - Noccundra Gymkhana
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Gymkhana & Rodeo Photos: Renee Stephenson
September - Thargomindah Motorbike Gymkhana - Held annually, the weekend caters for all ages and all levels of skill within the motorbike game. It is a family orientated weekend, and we are sure you will enjoy your time in Thargo, and maybe take home some good prize money and trophies. October - Noccundra Gymkhana, Campdraft & Rodeo - A genuine Outback rodeo, where the ringer competes against the professional in heart stopping, adrenalin pumping rodeo action. There are also novice events for those would-be cowboys that want to give it a go!! Hungerford Horse & Motorbike Gymkhana - A family friendly weekend, with horse and motorbike Gymkhana events for all skill levels, ranging from beginners to the more advanced. For more exact dates and contact details for each event go to www. thargotourism.com.au
u O e t c b a n c e k i r e vents... e p x E
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Somewhat surprisingly for an Outback town, much of our relaxation revolves around water, and in particular our rivers and waterholes. Most afternoons in summer, kids can be found boating, fishing or swimming at Pelican Point. There’s nothing like launching yourself off a rope hanging from a tree to bring out the inner child in some not so young kids. For those who aren’t so keen to make a splash themselves, a walk from the Caravan Park to the Cobb & Co crossing along the river bank will surprise you with the diversity of birds, animals and plants. It’s a great place to take a camera and stalk the wildlife as the sun sets. This is the edge of the Channel Country, and with three major river systems, the Paroo, Bulloo and Wilson Rivers, as well as Cooper Creek flowing through the Shire, you are bound to find somewhere quiet to set up camp where you can have your own piece of paradise for a few days.
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Photographs this page thank you to Kitsa Warner
Every town has its sports buffs, and Thargomindah is no different. If you are after relaxation that requires a bit more energy, we have great facilities swimming pool, squash courts, tennis courts, golf course and facilities for horse and motorbike events. All of these facilities are available for visitors to use, and we can also help out with loan equipment. Getting involved in one of the many events held in town each year, such as the Motorbike Gymkhana or the Polocrosse Carnival is also a great way to let your hair down in true Outback style. There are a number of volunteers from out of town who make it a yearly outing to come along and help with fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and everyone is welcome.
r e p x E
. . . n o i t a x r e a l k c a b t u O ience Photograph thanks to Kilcowera Station
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Kilcowera Station is a large cattle station, one hours’ drive (90 km) south of Thargomindah on the well maintained, mainly gravel, Thargo Hungerford Road and is usually accessable by conventional vehicle, as well as 4WD. However, some of the Station tracks require a high clearance vehicle. Private and remote, but still civilized, Kilcowera is a great destination for a week away or as a stopover on your journey through Outback Queensland. Kilcowera is open to visitors from 1st March through to 31st October. Please ask if you are wanting to visit outside these times as bush camping may be available. Your Outback adventure starts here with either our guided tours around the property, or visitors can explore Kilcowera Station Stay on various self drive tours. We provide mud maps, directions and information for our visitors.
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4WD clubs, bird watchers, photographers, artists, campers, naturalists and bushwalkers will all discover the vastness and natural beauty of the Australian Outback. Your Outback accommodation is provided in our spacious Shearers’ Quarters, which are also ideal for those wanting a venue for meetings, retreats, conferences, weddings, parties and seminars. Full catering is available, if required, with bookings made in advance, or guests can self cater.
Experience Outback hospita lity...
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Photographs thanks to Kilcowera and Epsilon Stations
Epsilon Station is an organically run working cattle property located 100 km north of Cameron Corner, on the Queensland side of the Border. It can also be accessed from New South Wales, via Tibooburra. Set amongst the sand dunes of the Simpson and Strzelecki deserts and within reach of the country first explored by Charles Sturt, this family-owned station provides accommodation at the homestead or another out building. Features include family Station activities, wild life and wildflowers in season. Enjoy the full experience of an Outback property with meals provided in the family homestead. As this is a working remote property, please call to confirm that we will be at the homestead when you are due to arrive.
Epsilon Station: Contact Sharon on 07 4655 4324 or Email: epsilon5@bigpond.com Kilkowera Station: Contact Greg or Toni Sherwin on 07 4655 4960 or Email: gtsherwin@bigpond.com
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Australian Outback travel is nowhere near as difficult or dangerous as you might think...and the Bulloo Shire is the ideal place to take your first Outback adventure. However, such a drive needs some preparation, but nothing that a little thought and common sense will not fix. Most of the roads that go THROUGH the Bulloo Shire are bitumen, and the notes here will help you enjoy these roads. If you plan on tackling some of the gravel roads, then a little more preparation may be required. Fuel, Food and Phones: On all our main roads and highways, you will find places where you can buy fuel, have a meal and get accommodation. They may not all be open all of the time, but their owners are friendly and helpful. Generally, the furthest between any of our communities (and hence fuel, water and phone service) is about 200 km, which will take up to 3 hours to travel comfortably with allowance made for photo stops and tea breaks. So always make sure you have enough fuel and water to make it to the next stop. Many of these ‘towns’ will appear on your map, and look like any other country town near the coast, but you will often find only a couple of buildings, a few bowsers, several cabins and a small caravan park. Best to make a few phone calls, or speak to someone before you leave one community to make sure you don’t get stuck for fuel. Phone service can be patchy between towns and at the time of writing, Telstra Next G is the only functioning network in the Shire. Make sure that your car is up to the drive: You won’t get stuck without help, as all the highways see plenty of traffic. But, plenty is relative. Yes, someone will stop and offer help; this is a friendly country. In the Bulloo Shire, helping each other is still important, so we all do it, because next time it might be us who need that help. Make sure your car is reliable, and carry at least one good spare tyre. Learn how to change it, and check it before you leave - both pressure and condition.. Have frequent breaks, swap drivers, don’t just push on. 22
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Driving at dusk and dawn: This is particularly risky, but not impossible if you are prepared to reduce your speed to as low as 60 km per hour. Many roads lead through cattle or sheep stations and are unfenced. Sheep and cattle wander out on the road, and so do kangaroos, emus, goats, pigs and sometimes horses. Treat the wildlife like pedestrians - Assume they have right of way. Ask the locals before you leave each town what the prevailing road conditions are. It could save you a lot of heartache and frustration. If you come across a small floodway, and there are plenty, you will usually see markers at the side of the road indicating the depth. The Bulloo Shire takes crossing safety seriously and will close the roads once they are aware of an issue, but if you’re not sure how deep it is, get out of your car and check. If you cant walk through it with the water below your knees, don’t attempt to drive through it. Chances are the water level will drop just as quickly as it came up, and you will be on your way after a short wait. Remember, Road Trains and other trucks have right of way, even if technically they don’t… they are very big, very heavy and hard to manoeuvre at speed. If you see a truck coming toward you and you are on less than 2 lanes of good bitumen, slow down to walking pace and pull your vehicle right off the road. Stop if necessary. It will potentially save your windscreen, paintwork, your sanity and maybe even your life.
. . . s d a o r k c a b t u Experience O
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A Grand En
trance to Bulloo Shire...
The town of Hungerford developed from a cattle camp on the banks of the Paroo River in the 1860’s. The southern entrance to the town is also the main entry from New South Wales into Queensland through the State Border Dog Fence. Today, the Paroo River is situated only a couple of hundred metres from Hungerford, and the town features the Royal Mail Hotel, caravan park, tennis court, sports field, airstrip and community medical facility. The medical facility operates one day per month. The Hungerford “Royal Mail Hotel” was constructed in 1873 of corrugated iron, which was transported over 200 km from New South Wales on bush tracks. It is the original building, which is still in use to this day. The Royal Mail was originally a Cobb & Co Staging Post where weary horses and travellers gained some respite from the road, heat and infrequent floods. Even Henry Lawson, the poet, had an Ale at the Royal Mail, and a welcome break from the harshness of the Outback countryside. The Royal Mail, as it was in the past, is still a meeting place for the locals, families, shearers, stockmen, and a resting place for travellers who all enjoy the homely, unsophisticated, friendly feel of this iconic Outback Pub. Due to its’ proximity, many visitors use the Royal Mail Hotel as a base for visits to the Currawinya National Park, just 25 km away.
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Royal Mail Hotel: 07 4655 4093 Hungerford Police: 07 4655 4088 Currawinya National Park: 07 4655 4001
The Dingo Fence, or Wild Dog Barrier Fence, was originally built in the 1880’s by State Governments, initially to stop the spread of the rabbit plague across State borders. This proved to be a wasted effort and the fences fell into disrepair until 1914 when they were repaired in order to keep the dingoes out and protect the sheep flocks. The Wild Dog Barrier Fence, previously called the Dingo Barrier Fence, was first proposed in 1948 to protect sheep from wild dog attacks. It was formed by connecting a number of shorter fences, and was not completed until the 1950’s. In addition to the main Barrier Fence, a number of check fences were reconstructed and renewed in the southern Darling Downs area. Today, the Queensland section of the Wild Dog Barrier Fence is about 2 500 km long and protects 26.5 million hectares of sheep and cattle grazing country. Travel along any of the Dog Barrier Fences is not permitted without prior authority from both the appropriate Government department and each individual landholder.
...Hungerford
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Noccundra Noccundra is located 142 km west of Thargomindah on the banks of the Wilson River, and contained within the pastoral holding of Nockatunga Station. The first Hotel in Noccundra was built around 1860 and burned down, which was a common fate of early western Pubs. The present Hotel was built in 1882 of sandstone, quarried from Mt Pool in New South Wales, and transported by Camel Train. The Noccundra Hotel is all that survives of the town today, and was listed by the National Trust in 1977. It is an important link with the establishment of pastoral settlement in this area. It is one of the few early hotels actually built as an hotel to service the surrounding stations. It then developed into an important stopping place for Cobb & Co Coaches. Today, the community of Noccundra boasts an Hotel, hall, tennis court, cricket pitch, cemetery, racecourse and rodeo ground, with a magnificent
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Every pub needs... Noccundra Hotel: 07 4655 4317 Waterhole Cafe open 7.30 am - 2.30 pm daily from March to October
waterhole and an airstrip at the back of the Hotel. The Wilson River is a tributary of Cooper Creek. The River passes through the land belonging to Nockatunga Station, which was originally settled by the Drynan brothers in 1868. There is a complex relationship between stock movement, the artificial provision of water, and the development of the transport routes and settlement patterns in Outback regions. Historical and modern routes through the arid pastoral districts of Australia were dependent on the availability of water. The extensive system of travelling stock routes in western Queensland was made feasible by the discovery of water. Consequently, the Wilson River played a very large part in the settlement of the area. During the time of early exploration and settlement, the Wilson River Aboriginal Tribe, known as the Nockaburrawarry, lived in the area. A large waterhole exists within the Wilson River adjacent to the Noccundra Hotel, and is referred to as the Noccundra Waterhole. This waterhole is a popular campsite for locals and visitors alike.
...its own airstrip
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Approximately half way through its planned expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, a depot known as Depot 65 (LXV), was established in December 1860 by the explorer Robert O’Hara Burke and his party on the banks of Cooper Creek. On the 16th of December 1860, Burke left Depot 65, with Wills (second in command), Gray and King, to find a route to the Gulf of Carpentaria, leaving William Brahe and four other men to man the depot. A further group attached to the expedition, and led by William Wright, followed the tracks of the initial party to the Depot, and was expected to arrive in January 1860. However, due to sickness, dry conditions and hostility from local Aboriginals, their trip was delayed. After four months, and as the Burke and Wills exploration party was four weeks overdue, Brahe decided to leave the Depot having left a buried cache within which was a note. The location of the buried cache was identified by an inscription: B LXV Trunk, creek side Dig 3FT NW Trunk, land side Dec 6 60 April 21 61 Limb upstream blazed into the trunk of a Coolabah tree.
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e & Wills - Expedition that went
Photos thanks to Colin Grant.
...The Dig Tree The legend states that Burke and his party on returning from the Gulf, discovered Brahe had left nine hours before. Burke, Wills and Gray, then attempted to reach the Mount Hopeless Station, but abandoned their attempt. Burke and Wills perished on the bank of Cooper Creek around the end of June 1861. King survived with the assistance of the local Aboriginal people. The expedition cost £60 000 altogether, including the rescue expedition, and was considered at that time, to be the most costly expedition in the history of the exploration of Australia. It was poorly planned, with the only reason for the expedition said to be a desire by Victorians to take the lead in exploration. It was also the first expedition to use camels. The Burke and Wills ‘Dig Tree’ is one of Australia’s national icons and an enduring reminder of our pioneering spirit. Nappa Merrie Station is proud to officially manage the site on behalf of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland. Located on the northern bank of Cooper Creek, the ‘Dig Tree’ is a Coolibah (Eucalyptus microtha). It is believed that the tree is 200-250 years old. The Blazes have now been covered to help preserve the tree. Burke’s face was carved into another tree (the ‘Face Tree’), about 30 m downstream of the ‘Dig Tree’, by John Dick in 1898, and is still clearly visible. Apart from the boardwalk structure built around the tree to help protect it, the site, as you view it now, is as Burke and Wills and companions would have viewed it over 150 years ago.
wrong...
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New Year in three time zon es... Cameron Corner is where the States of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia meet. John Cameron, the New South Wales Lands Department Surveyor, led the first survey party along the New South Wales/Queensland border, between 1879 and 1881. On arriving at the Corner in September 1880, Cameron erected a wooden boundary post with the inscription “LAT29” (latitude 29 degrees) and “Cameron”. This original post is displayed at the National Parks and Wildlife Service Office in Tibooburra. The new post was erected in 1969.
The Cameron Corner Store was first opened by the late Sandy Nall in May 1989. The Interpretive Centre contains information on the world’s longest fence, the Dingo/Wild Dog Barrier Fence, which stretches over approximately 5 500 km. The Fence was adapted from the original rabbit proof fence, and now separates dingoes in central Australia from livestock in south-east Australia. The Fence winds its way from the Great Australian Bight to south-east Queensland through five deserts, and Cameron Corner is located
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Cameron Corner Store: Contact Fenn or Cheryl on 08 8091 3872 or Email: camcorner@activ8.net.au Cameron Corner Store is open from 8 am - midnight, 7 days per week, (QLD TIME)
approximately midway along the entire structure. Boundary riders are employed by the Wild Dog Destruction Board (WDDB) to maintain the New South Wales section of the fence. The Cameron Corner Store provides licensed accommodation, meals, telephone services, fuel, puncture repairs, minor mechanical repairs, and camping. Local tourist information, and souvenirs are also available at the ‘Corner’, together with friendly local service. Cameron Corner boasts an unsealed airstrip for visitors who prefer to fly in. If you are brave enough to tackle the heat, the folks at Cameron Corner offer warm hospitality (and cold beer) for their traditional New Year’s Eve party. Where else can you experience New Year in 3 time zones? While you are here, play a round of golf with 3 holes in each state. From Cameron Corner you can travel south to Tibooburra or north west to Innamincka.
e r n r o C ...Cameron Photos with thanks to Colin Grant.
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Thargo the easy way... Just because you don’t have a 4WD and a camping trailer, don’t dismiss a visit to the Outback, and in particular Thargomindah. Travel a loop from Sydney via Dubbo and Bourke, up through Barringun to Cunnamulla and then on to Thargomindah. Continue the Natural Sciences loop and head back towards Brisbane. You’ll travel on good sealed roads all the way with motel, hotel or cabin accommodation at easy intervals along the road. The great legacy of the Cobb & Co era, and the unreliable cars of the past, is that every hundred kilometres or so, you will find a pub… and the furthest between unleaded or diesel fuel stops is about two hundred kilometres (call ahead to check availability of LPG). Accommodation is generally available; however when travelling as a family, it is an idea to book in advance to secure a room, especially in the cooler months.
For more information visit,
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Cunnamulla Fella Centre Centenary Park, Jane Street, CUNNAMULLA 07 4655 8470
While you may not think there is much to see without leaving the bitumen in Outback areas, with a little help and some research, there are a multitude of fascinating things to be found. Memory Maps is a useful App, which details many things that can be seen from the side of the road, if you know where to look for them. This is the easy way to see the Outback. It’s interesting, it’s varied, it’s civilized and you can even get great coffee along the way. So book a few rooms, make sure the kids have digital cameras, and head on out to capture your own adventure. Make sure you stop on the way through Eulo to check out the Gallery and the Mud Springs on the west of the small town. A side trip to the opal mining town of Yowah is also a worthwhile distraction.
a l l u m a n n u C a i v . ..
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Thargo the fun way... The Dowling Track links Bourke and beyond to Quilpie in south west Queensland. This is a soft 4WD adventure, and an ideal introduction to gravel roads and life in the Outback. Travel in the footsteps of Vincent James Dowling and other early pioneers, who over 100 years ago discovered this area, known as the “Plains of Promise“ - people travelled the track looking for a new life and new opportunities. The Australian author, Henry Lawson, walked from Bourke to Hungerford and back in the hellish summer heat looking for work. Travelling through the remains of towns such as Ford’s Bridge and Hungerford, you quickly gain an appreciation for how tough life must have been here for our early settlers. Both the Ford’s Bridge Hotel and the Royal Mail in Hungerford provide a welcome place to pull up for a cool drink and a chat. The Dowling Track consists of a reasonably well maintained gravel road, that in dry conditions just requires the additional clearance of a 4WD vehicle. The Track ranges from brilliant, to a little rocky, to sandy in places. Kilcowera Station and the Ramsar listed Currawinya National Park are both accessed via the Dowling track.
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Back O’Bourke Exhibition Centre Kidman Way, BOURKE NSW
Quilpie Visitor Information Centre 51-53 Brolga Street, QUILPIE QLD
02 6872 1321
07 4656 0540
info@backobourke.com.au
tourism@quilpie.qld.gov.au
...The Dowl ing
Track
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Thargo the natural way...
www.naturalsciences.com.au
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Charleville Visitor Information Centre Qantas Drive, CHARLEVILLE QLD
Quilpie Visitor Information Centre 51-53 Brolga Street, QUILPIE QLD
Cunnamulla Fella Centre Centenary Park, Jane Street, CUNNAMULLA
07 4654 7771
07 4656 0540
07 4655 8470 cunnamullainfo@paroo.qld.gov.au
obguides@bigpond.com
tourism@quilpie.qld.gov.au
n e i c c e S s l L a r o u o t p a N e h T a ...vi The Natural Sciences Loop is a fully sealed bitumen road network loop, which provides easy access to the most amazing natural wonders of Queensland’s south west Outback. Some of the wonderful natural attractions on the Natural Sciences Loop include: 1. Artesian Time Tunnel at the Cunnamulla Fella Centre 2. Cunnamulla Bushlands 3. Artesian Mud Baths at Eulo 4. The Living Opal Gallery of Yowah 5. Thargomindah Hydro Power Plant and Artesian Bore 6. The “Dig Tree” at Nappa Merrie Station 7. Lake Bindegolly National Park - Thargomindah 8. Pelican Point on the Bulloo River Thargomindah 9. Living History Centre at Eromanga 10. Baldy Top and Table Top Lookout - Quilpie 11. Opal Fossicking near Quilpie 12. Opal Altar at St Finbarr’s Catholic Church Quilpie 13. Bilby Centre at Charleville 14. Cosmos Centre & Observatory - Charleville 15. Charleville Mulgalands Botanical Reserve 16. Weather Station Tour - Charleville
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n o l g e h t . . . w y o a g r a h T The Adventure Way takes you from Brisbane to Adelaide via Queensland’s richest grain and cotton producing area surrounding Dalby, through Brigalow and Belah belts to the Outback plains where mulga lines the road and eventually gives way to a treeless gibber landscape at the Queensland/South Australia border. From Innamincka, follow the historic Strzelecki Track to the Flinders Ranges, and finally to Adelaide.
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The full length of the Adventure Way is approximately 2 400 km, of this, less than 500 km consists of gravel roads, making this quite a reasonable trip from Brisbane to Adelaide.
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a y W e r u t n e v d A e ...Th
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Thargomindah Visitor Information Centre Echidna Place 37 Dowling Street, Thargomindah QLD 4492 40
07 4621 8095
tourism@bulloo.qld.gov.au
www.thargotourism.com.au
Brochure Design: sixtybytwenty.com.au