The Living Desert Sculpture Park

We slip out of Broken Hill to the Living Desert Park, which is 12kms away, to see the sculpture park at sunset. The sculptures are made from Wilcannia sandstone and almost glow in the light of the setting sun. The views of both the desert and back towards Broken Hill are sublime and it is wonderful to see the changing colours of the desert as the sun sets across the landscape. People have brought wine and there is a hush. They are sitting on rocky outcrops quietly toasting the end of the day and the sheer majesty of it all. Continue reading The Living Desert Sculpture Park

Avoca Lions Club Park

We recently visited the gold mining town of Avoca, Vic. Avoca Lions Club has kindly provided a spacious RV park on Dundas Street which is only a block back from the main street (Sunraysia Highway) and beside the Avoca River.  There is a modern amenities building, the site is level with plenty of turning room and a sheltered BBQ area. The Avoca Hotel is charming and has had a new lease on life. We once stayed there in the 1980’s and there was what looked suspiciously like a bullet hole in our bedroom window. The ‘old girl’ certainly looks more … Continue reading Avoca Lions Club Park

A stalking stork amongst the stalks

We drive out to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, the remotest point of our trip. It is a 70km drive north from Normanton through savannah land and then the flattest flood plain of grassland and salt pans. In the savannah there are contented cattle and spider webs as big as flags that take ownership of their host shrubs. On the flood plain we spot a flock of Brolgas in a small swamp. Of course I’m breathless with excitement and I say to Woody that all we need now is to see a Jabiru and I’ll be happy. All of … Continue reading A stalking stork amongst the stalks

What a Tally

The giant Curtain Fig tree in Yungaburra on the Atherton Tableland in Queensland is far too large to photograph in its entirety but we do our best. One Japanese tourist lies prone on the boardwalk trying his best to ‘get it all in’. If that is not enough, my mate Cyril spots something way up near the top of the tree and starts to shriek. There’s a large dark shape groping about. We can’t believe our eyes, it’s a Tree Kangaroo. As a dozen gobsmacked tourists crane their necks he clambers about quite awkwardly. He’s certainly not as agile as … Continue reading What a Tally

Croc Lines

Croc lines, sheep lines, cattle lines, cyclone lines, footy lines, even imaginary beer lines. Australia is an immense country spanning many climate zones and differing tastes. As we sail blissfully along miles of straight highways from north to south, we often notice that grazing land suddenly turns from beef cattle to sheep then much further south back to cattle but this time dairying in green pastures. While planning trips to tropical north Queensland I’ve found maps of where crocodiles are found. This is important as a southerner must be croc aware in northern climes. Those pre historic creatures didn’t survive … Continue reading Croc Lines

What’s in a Name?

I often wonder what the story is behind the naming of some points of interest on the landscape. Sometimes we become oblivious to the funny names in and around our homes having been brought up with them. There is one near us called Sheep Wash Creek. But these long lost stories are history gone forever. Here are a few that have piqued my interest: Turn Back Jimmy Creek on the Newell Highway Conspicuous Cliffs Road Useless Loop Road Mother O’Neil Creek World’s End Highway Brandy Bottle Creek Go Between Bridge Blunder Road Jump Up Creek Bald Nob (sic) The town of … Continue reading What’s in a Name?

Rawson Caravan Park

Now here’s one that is a little different. The town of Rawson was built for the construction of the Thomson Dam. It is situated up in the hills behind Moe and is between Erica and Walhalla. There is a feeling of being in the mountains here. Clean chilly air and tall timber that stretches hundreds of feet above you. Old workers cabins are now family bush retreats and there is a small circular caravan park with space for about a dozen vans. Each site has what can at a stretch be described as a basic ensuite bathroom. There is a … Continue reading Rawson Caravan Park

Turkish mouse mats and dairying superstars

We’re on our way to Lakes Entrance, about four hours east of Melbourne to make arrangements for our Caravan Club’s Christmas Muster. Which I should mention can be quite a shebang, with four or five days of fun filled frivolity and laughter and a bit of over indulging. We pull up at Stratford as I want to buy a miniature Turkish carpet to use as a mouse mat. We stayed in this town a few years ago and I bought one of these little mats for my sister in law and have admired it ever since. I fall out the … Continue reading Turkish mouse mats and dairying superstars

Rosedale Willow park

On the grassy banks of the Latrobe River flats and just below the Princes Highway you’ll find the Rosedale RV Camp. There is a meandering walking trail into the cheery little town a kilometre away. Locals have kindly provided two portable toilets for the campers to use. There is a rustic old tin roofed fireplace to warm cool evenings that I can always remember having been here on this spot. Yes this has been a wayside stop for families for generations. The Rosedale Tavern Hotel is known for its pizza and take away can be picked up easily on your … Continue reading Rosedale Willow park

Quicker than Google

As we drive into Maryborough (pronounced Marybra) ‘D’ is excited as she has just spotted the Aldi supermarket and we haven’t seen one in weeks having been out in the sticks. The boys get to wondering aloud where the Dan Murphy liquor store is when a voice comes over the air “there’s a Dan Murphy’s in Richmond Street.” Yes, these UHF radios sure are handy. Continue reading Quicker than Google