Porcupine Gorge look out – it is 10 kms towards Hughenden from the Pyramids camp ground.
The sun as usual was in the wrong position for photos or should I say I was there at the wrong time. The new lookout was really great.
The gorge is very deep and I think that these high sides go for quite a long distance – I don’t think they will ever put a walk down in there which is a shame.
This is Porcupine Creek which flows into the Flinders River.
I was hoping to see a Bustard when we came up from Winton to Hughenden as they like the open plains. I saw a very large one this morning just past the look out. It was nearly a metre tall and was very cunning crouching down keeping below the top of the grass. Really stupid bird ( I couldn't get a photo) or actually really smart bird.
Here is a file image so that you will know what I am talking about. They also call them Plains Turkeys.
We dropped into the information centre and collected our paperwork for upcoming places to visit and went around the corner to the FJ Holden Cafe for a cup of coffee. Great memorabilia, coffee was pretty good too.
After refreshments, we went back to the information centre and paid to enter a large display that they have of fossils etc. It was only $5 each for the entry fee and that was great value.
Look carefully, this street art is all made out of mechanical bits and pieces. The teeth on the Muttaburrasaurus is bike chain links. In the stone work are actual fossils.
Busy Friday in Hughenden. Everyone was wearing their “Friday” shirts. Apparently a lot of towns have a Friday shirt uniform that all the store keepers wear every Friday. I am starting to fall into the small town syndrome of just walking across the road without looking because of the lack of traffic.
Petrified Wood Fern Leaves
We have a pair of identical plaster casts from Lark Quarry at home which we bought for the boys on our trip there.
Above is a full size replica of Muttaburrasaurus – although they guess the colours.
We refuelled and picked up some basic groceries and decided to drive east to Prairie and camp behind the hotel – free camp – closer to White Mountains National Park.
This is the pet water buffalo who sometimes is taken into the Prairie Hotel.
The free camp ground out the back of the hotel – either donation or have a drink at the pub – who wouldn’t want to take the second one?
The toilets are down at the Windmill Park – they were previously the lock up.
We saw a windmill like this in Hughenden – they are absolutely huge! Most windmills are higher on the stand with smaller blades. This is a working windmill, it was pumping water for the tank for the toilet block.
Want directions? well you can only go East South or West and everyone knows Hughenden is west, and Townsville east, so this sign post points south – a lot more places to go :)
Outside the Prairie Hotel
and below – inside the hotel. There is always someone in the hotel – even if they don’t talk to you :)
Nice set up with store dummies as patrons - more quirky outback stuff.
The publican Tom was a personable fellow and we enjoyed a chat with him and one of the locals who called in.
The pub was being closed as he was off camping for a couple of days. Everyone else will be with him at the races.
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