Isisford & Blackall

Saturday, 5 September 2015

Stone pitched weir

Stone pitching (similar to dry walling)

One free camper

Good looking rig

A tinge of green

Wellshot Station

Main street of Isisford

Nice looking pub

Mighty Barcoo River

Is anyone looking?

Come out from under there!

Statue of Blackall's VC winner

Masonic Lodge - mainly tin

Beyond the Black Stump (now a petrified log)

A funny looking sheep

Where's my cuppa?

Blackall Woolscour

Woolly sheep

Ready, aim, ...

Part of shearing shed

Counting pens

A warm, fluffy feeling

A scouring machine

Hot bore water

Bottle tree and tourists

Another cold night followed by a beautiful, very warm day (27 degrees).  We left Ilfracombe before 8.30 am and headed towards Isisford, a new route for us.  Although it was only one lane of bitumen for the 90 kms to Isisford, this wasn’t a problem as there were wide gravel verges and we only met three cars.  The wild life was incredible, so much to see – emus, bustards, kangaroos (by the hundreds), kites, galahs, goats and pigs (the best variety: dead!).  Our first stop was at the 12 Mile Hotel (or where this Cobb & Co hotel stop used to be) and walked in to the free camp and the stone pitched weir.  This weir was built in the 1800’s to provide water for the hotel and a Chinese market garden.  We also passed the Wellshot Station, which we had read about only yesterday.  There had obviously been rain through the region during the previous weeks as a slight green tinge was showing on the edges of the road.  We had a short break in Isisford before crossing the Barcoo River and heading to Blackall.  The countryside was very similar, as were the animals, although we did see more sheep.  A sudden sway of the caravan brought us to a very rapid halt after crossing a cattle grid but a quick inspection of the tires and the caravan revealed no apparent problems.  This 120 km stretch of road was a little busier – we passed four cars!

We arrived at the Blackall Caravan Park just on noon and are quite impressed with this nice park, just a short walk from the local supermarket and bakery.  The sites are gravel, of course, but we do have a slab.  Blackall is a little oasis in the middle of the outback – very green with lots and lots of beautiful bougainvilleas.  The bore water comes straight into the taps without being cooled – no need to pay hot water bills in this town.

This afternoon, after stopping at the site of the original Black Stump (the stump was used as a survey marker), we continued to the Blackall Woolscour for an interesting tour of the shearing and scouring sheds.  Cat had a lovely time talking to the tourists from the bus tour and playing in the wool.