Aramac, Sculpture Trail

Return Soldier sculpture

The Sculpture trail starts at Aramac - from here we took the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail in an anti-clockwise direction, tackling the dirt road part of the circuit first (approx 130kms) starting off at the Red Roo situated at the town's roo works. The total distance returning to Aramac is approx 200 km with more than 25 sculptures along the way (we stopped and photographed 33 sculptures!).

They are works of a local sculptor, who resides on a grazing property along the trail and decided she needed a platform to display her work.  The result is one of the biggest, permanent, outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the world. 

The road was not too bad at the beginning and we had plenty of time to stop and have a look at these amazing sculptures - turning junk into art.

Eagle and nest of chicks sculpture

Next day we were off again on the Sculpture Trail however this time the road was bitumen so did not take so long to complete.  Once again we were impressed by the sculptures and thoroughly enjoyed the circuit.

Dragonflies and frog sculptures on a windmill

Deer sculpture

Thirsty cockies sculpture

Motorbike musterer sculpture

Another view of the Motorbike musterer sculpture

Bottle tree sculpture

Razorback sculpture

Sideshow Bob Tree

We found Wally - was quite a challenge to spot!

Cutting horse cowgirl sculpture

Ballyneety bronc rider sculpture

Prawn sculpture

Emu and chicks sculpture

Echidna sculpture

The Stone Healing Circle was on the circuit - this is an ancient sacred circle which is connected to six others in the world. The others are located in Japan, Tibet, Madagascar, Peru, Turkey and USA.  The circle is used for prayer, meditation and healing of the mind, body and soul.

Brolgas sculpture

Harry Redford drover sculpture

Pushbike roos and goanna sculpture.....plus one human!

Lake Dunn

One of the campers dogs enjoying the sunset at Lake Dunn

From Longreach we drove to Barcaldine stopping for a vanilla slice at the Bakery - Terry said it was the best in Australia - and he was not wrong.  Drove out to Lara Wetlands - was great to catch up with Lynn and Janice again plus Syd and Maz pulled in not long after we had set up.  Spend 2 days enjoying the company, scenery and of course I had a few soaks in the hot pool.  Enjoyed the Friday night BBQ with entertainment from Ian (guitar and singer), Maz playing her Roland Electronic Piano, and out of the blue pops up a Bagpipe player!!!  Full moon provided flickers of light on the lake - looked like heaps of little fairy lights under the water.

After a relaxing couple of days at Lara Wetlands we drove back to Barcaldine and headed to Aramac, one of the oldest towns in Central Western Queensland. From here we took the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail which is a circuit starting in Aramac and covering a distance of approx 200km with more than 25 sculptures along the way - refer to separate blog post for photos (we stopped and photographed 33 sculptures!).

Decided to tackle the dirt road part of the circuit first (approx 130kms), which was not too bad at the beginning however deteriorated near the end becoming rough and corrugated in parts. Stayed the night at Lake Dunn before heading off the next day to complete the Sculpture Trail.

Lake Dunn, or more commonly known as "The Lake" is a freshwater lake 68 kms north east of Aramac.  It was named after James Dunn, head stockman at Mt Cornish Station - being discovered when he tracked a mob of cattle to the area.  Lake Dunn's aboriginal name is Pajingo Bola, meaning "Big Fella Waterhole" and is a birdwatcher's paradise - home to over 80 different species of birds and an excellent fishing spot for Yellowbelly, Black Bream and Blue Crawchies.  The Lake was won in a ballot in 1914 by Ben Dickson and has been owned by the Dickson family ever since.

Sunset reflections over the lake 

Pulled into Lake Dunn rather late to camp and were allocated a site behind a shack to plug into power - also told we could use the front deck of the shack to sit and enjoy the view.  When Helen went to put the legs of the van down, one of the front ones was missing!  Had fallen off coming out of Lara Wetlands or along the track to the Lake. Lovely spot to camp - quite a few vans here.

We could use the deck of one of the shacks to have sunset drinks

Next day we were off again on the Sculpture Trail however this time the road was bitumen so did not take so long to complete.  Once again we were impressed by the sculptures and thoroughly enjoyed the circuit.

Back in Barcaldine we were going to see Heather and Barry, owners of the Shakespeare Pub for lunch, but it was closed on Mondays!  Grabbed another vanilla slice from the Bakery (just to make sure they are as good as the last ones!!) and continued to Jericho where we camped by the Jordan River (Redbank Park), which was dry where we set up.

An interesting cow on our way to Lake Dunn

Stairlight River Cruise, Longreach

Thomson Belle Paddle Wheeler at sunset

The Kinnon Family are graziers who started their outback tourism business in 2006.  What started as a way to diversify to survive the region's crippling droughts quickly became a passion for sharing and preserving their outback way of life and its heritage.

We were picked up by one of their buses driven by Richard (the Dad), and driven through town and out to the billabong on the Thomson River.  He has a very dry wit and we found his commentary hilarious.  Upon arrival we boarded the boats - the Thomson Belle Paddle Wheeler was booked out so we followed in a flat bottom river boat with one of Richard's son Lane as skipper.  His commentary was equally dry like his father as we cruised up the billabong and watched the sunset.  Back at camp we sat around the campfire, was entertained by Scotty reciting bush poetry (brilliant), and enjoyed a 2 course meal.   We watched a sound and light picture show on Captain Starlight and returned to the campfire for billy tea and damper, so went home with a full belly!

An absolutely great 4 hours of entertainment and thoroughly recommend this Cruise Experience.  We do not tend to gravitate to "touristy activities" but this experience was uplifting and utterly enjoyable.  Kinnon and Co offer other experiences so will put them on our bucket list when visiting Longreach next time!

Boading our flat bottom river boat for sunset cruise

The Thomson River

Great nibbles supplied on the boat cruise

Thomson Belle Paddle Wheeler

Sitting around the campfire before the entertainment started.

Lane entertaining the audience before dinner

Lane and his Dad Richard having a bit of fun - their humour is so dry.

Scotty reciting bush poetry - brilliant

Boulia to Longreach

From Boulia we all went our separate ways - Hack and Jody left early while Terry & Joan and ourselves visited the wash down bay to get some of the dust off the car and the vans.  After the "clean up" they headed to Mt Isa whilst we travelled via the Hamilton Hotel ruins and onto the Middleton Hotel. We stopped at the Hamilton ruins for morning coffee and I decided to pump up a caravan tyre which was loosing pressure.  To do this I plugged the compressor into the Anderson plug at the back of the car after removing the caravan Anderson plug connection, yep you guessed it, I forgot to plug it back in before we left - about 20 km up the track I remembered, too late, the only remaining connection was 2 bare wires!! We continued on to the Middleton pub and grabbed a hamburger and really nice cold beer for an early lunch.  Hamburger was delicious - the old fashioned burger with beetroot, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, egg!!

Midddleton Hotel

Enjoying our hamburger on the front verandah

Across the road is the Hilton Hotel

This is another perspective of the Hilton Hotel

Drove onto Collingwood Cemetary Water Hole about 50 km before Winton where we camped the night - so peaceful as we were the only ones there!  On the track in we spotted at least 7 Broglas but of course did not stop for a photo and they were not there when we drove out next morning!

Our camp at Collingwood Cemetary waterhole, Helen overlooking the waterhole

This monument marks the cementary and the town of Collingwood abandoned in 1900

Drove into Winton and got message that Ray and Carol were in the area - by the time we called them they were near where we had parked!!  Caught up for coffee and a chat - great to see them again.  Went to have a look at the Waltzing Matilda Centre but had heard mixed reports and decided to give it a miss - perhaps come back another time.  Bumped into Hack and Jody who were just about to go in for a look - they had seen it before it burnt down.  Arrived in Longreach around 3pm and called into the Longreach Tyre Centre as Van tyre had a slow leak (just as well I bought the Tyre Pressure Management Gauge - which Helen just rolled her eyes when I showed her!!).  Another valuable "gadget" purchase of mine!  The tyre was fixed in no time - the culprit a rivett head.  Then a quick trip around the corner to the auto electrician and the Anderson plug was fixed, great service, thanks Longreach Auto Electrician. Booked into Longreach Tourist Park for 2 nights so we can power up phones etc!  Also booked into the Kinnon & Co Starlight's Cruise, as we had heard great reports. Helen was happy to get washing up to date plus stocked up on some food items at the local IGA before we headed off late afternoon on the Cruise.

Min Min Light

Decided to stay an extra day at Boulia and went into town to see the Min Min Light exhibition. This is Boulia Shire's most prized attraction - a 45 minute animatronics show.  Show creators have brought many bush characters to life and it is an opportunity to meet them in their own environment and listen to the stories about their light sightings. No photos allowed in the exhibition area. The Min Min lights have been a part of life in Boulia for hundreds of years - the first recorded sighting was in July in the early 1900's at the sight of the old Min Min Hotel on the road to Winton (funny it was first seen at a pub!!!).  It is described as a glowing ball of light about the size of a football.  The light most commonly appears to be around eye level or slightly higher.  It can also be seen dancing and darting as it's moving.  There are even reports of the one light dividing into two.  Despite many experts attempting to solve the mystery of the light's origin, to date no one has been successful.  The lights are still seen today, however, legend says they pick their own time to appear and who to appear too.  You don't go looking for the Min Min, the Min Min goes looking for you and anyone who does see it never forgets.

At the entrance to the exhibition sits this character with a story to tell, similar to those used inside the exhibition. 

We eagerly await to enter the exhibition.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the Min Min Light exhibition and thought it was an incredible display.  Headed back to our camp and had another great fire in the Brazier combined with wonderful company on our last night together.  Weather had warmed up which made the evening extremely pleasant.

On display in the information centre, you just have to do it!

Beautifully restored 1939 Dodge Truck on display in the information centre

Boulia Camel Races

Friday, 20th July at 6 pm was the official Opening of the Boulia Camel Races, known as the Melbourne Cup of the outback.  The opening was followed by a Ride-On Lawn Mower Race and Twilight Camel Race. The twilight camel race was unique - all I could see were little head lights bobbing around in the dark, hense no photos!! Live music - Owen Blundell and The Roo Wranglers continued until midnight.  Helen went back before the twilight camel race as the evening came in quite cold, I ventured back after the first song and was happy to listen back at camp around the fire.  We were far enough away from the main stage for the music to be a pleasant background sound.

Boulia Camel Races held at the Turf Club

Cooler nights - glad of a campfire for Happy Hour

Camels waiting for the races, this stable had the winner - Uncle Bob

Friday evening they also had Ride-On lawn mower races!

Saturday was a huge day of racing commencing at 11am with many Heats being run determining the line up for the big Camel Cup tomorrow.  Quite a crowd was here today however there were a few technical hic-cups when the starter gun mis-fired and some camels took off while others didn't. After a lot of discussions one of the races was re-run later in the day. Very entertaining to watch the camels race as some break before the start gun (if the handler cannot hang on they are disqualified) and some run the wrong direction!!  There were also Children's amusements, Food and Market stalls, Scenic Helicopter rides and of course, Camel Rides.  In between the Heats there was a Camel Tagging Competition which is held in the Arena.  The object is to "tag" a camel with a piece of tape, run back to the starting position, turn-around and retrieve the tape, then back to the starting position and stop the clock - not an easy task!

 The camel tagging, this girl was the winner.

In the afternoon they held the Boulia State School Calcutta and Mock Camel Race where kids made their own "camel costume" and were auctioned off before participating in a foot race.  All proceeds went towards their school excursion to the snow.  People were very generous with their money as some paid up to $500 for a runner.  The kids had great fun and certainly raised quite a bit of money for the cause.  The evening continued with live music by Owen Blundell, Mick Lindsay and a Pink Tribute (performed by Mt Isa born Kim Boath).  Fireworks were also a feature of the nights entertainment.

The kids all lined up in their camel costumes waiting to start the race.

Final day of the Camel Cup was on Sunday, 22nd with the main race being run at Noon.  We had received a tip from Bedourie, in the artesian pool, that Uncle Bob was a favourite to win.  We had followed him through the heats and true to form he was the winner of the cup.  I organised a sweep for our group and the ladies of each couple won some money (1st Uncle Bob (Jody): 2nd Pete (Joan) and 3rd Ace (Helen).  The official Camel Races were finished however they had Novelty Races in the afternoon including Yabby Races, Footraces and Tug-o-war. All in all it was a great experience and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

The camels were walked around to the starting gates

Races were mainly 400 metres with the main 1500 meters

We had a spot on the fence for the main race day and run our own sweep.

Our own fashions on the field, Helen and Jody.

Off and racing

The jockey doesn't hold the reins just hangs on and gets the camel running. The camel chooses where they run and one even turned around and ran the wrong way at the start line!

Uncle Bob on the rail close to us.

Uncle Bob after the win

Uncle Bob and jockey in red and white with the winners trophy

They also had yabby racing in the afternoon.