10th September – Thursday
Cold night and a clear, sunny and warm day – temperature around 27 degrees, humidity 10%.
Departed Longreach about 9.00 am for the short drive of less than 110 kms to Barcaldine. We stopped on the way at Ilfracombe, the birthplace of Quentin Bryce, our Governor General. This was a lovely little town where there are no entry charges to any attractions, even the swimming pool and spa. As it was still fairly early in the day, we decided to pass up a dip in the hot artesian spa. Ilfracombe also has a mile long display of old machinery – even some old tractors not seen before by someone who knows about old farm machinery!
The Barcaldine Tourist Park is a real gem! We have a drive through site, grass, palm trees, free washing machines (wish I knew this yesterday!), free wireless internet and free entertainment with billy tea and damper. All this for only $20!!!
Barcaldine is an interesting little town with lots of character. Its main claim to fame is as the birth place of the Labor Party, following on from the shearers’ strikes. There is a large Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre (with an equally large admission fee), however, we decided to give this a miss. The most notable attraction, however, is the Tree of Knowledge outside the railway station. This tree is supposed to have witnessed the turmoil of the strikes, etc, but unfortunately, died in 2006 (believed to have been poisoned). Using the dead tree as a base, a new “tree” has been erected and was opened in May this year. Two months later the site was sealed off as a nut (as in nuts and bolts) fell to the ground and it was deemed dangerous! The best way to describe this “tree” is a gigantic wind chime with large pieces of wood suspended to give the form of a large tree. It is really quite incredible.
Barcaldine is also the site of the first free-flowing artesian bore and the first town to reticulate artesian water. The old windmill has been relocated to the main street and still works, pumping water into a fountain.
The majority of these small outback towns have a Masonic Lodge and the one at Barcaldine is a two storey corrugated iron structure. However, the front has been painted to resemble brick work.
A nice place to spend the night.
Cold night and a clear, sunny and warm day – temperature around 27 degrees, humidity 10%.
Departed Longreach about 9.00 am for the short drive of less than 110 kms to Barcaldine. We stopped on the way at Ilfracombe, the birthplace of Quentin Bryce, our Governor General. This was a lovely little town where there are no entry charges to any attractions, even the swimming pool and spa. As it was still fairly early in the day, we decided to pass up a dip in the hot artesian spa. Ilfracombe also has a mile long display of old machinery – even some old tractors not seen before by someone who knows about old farm machinery!
The Barcaldine Tourist Park is a real gem! We have a drive through site, grass, palm trees, free washing machines (wish I knew this yesterday!), free wireless internet and free entertainment with billy tea and damper. All this for only $20!!!
Barcaldine is an interesting little town with lots of character. Its main claim to fame is as the birth place of the Labor Party, following on from the shearers’ strikes. There is a large Australian Workers’ Heritage Centre (with an equally large admission fee), however, we decided to give this a miss. The most notable attraction, however, is the Tree of Knowledge outside the railway station. This tree is supposed to have witnessed the turmoil of the strikes, etc, but unfortunately, died in 2006 (believed to have been poisoned). Using the dead tree as a base, a new “tree” has been erected and was opened in May this year. Two months later the site was sealed off as a nut (as in nuts and bolts) fell to the ground and it was deemed dangerous! The best way to describe this “tree” is a gigantic wind chime with large pieces of wood suspended to give the form of a large tree. It is really quite incredible.
Barcaldine is also the site of the first free-flowing artesian bore and the first town to reticulate artesian water. The old windmill has been relocated to the main street and still works, pumping water into a fountain.
The majority of these small outback towns have a Masonic Lodge and the one at Barcaldine is a two storey corrugated iron structure. However, the front has been painted to resemble brick work.
A nice place to spend the night.
1 comment:
Hopefully you don't have to sleep too close to the giant wind-chime!
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