Last time we were in Boulia (not on this trip), there had been good rains and we were amazed at the high number of Whistling Kites we were seeing. It was common to see 20 or more together in the sky. The seasons have changed again and we are back to the odd one. We could hear the kite and yesterday morning, he landed on a dead tree in the caravan park and I got a couple of photos.
Leaving later worked out well as we were travelling east and the sun was higher in the sky.
This is our morning tea stop – at the Hamilton Hotel ruins. We stopped under the shade of this oak tree which was beside the rest area – almost like the combination of the two photos.
We had almost finished our cuppa’s when in the distance the dust cloud appeared. It was a stock transporter coming from a station – so we closed everything up as the dust was blowing to the west and we were going to be on that side of the truck.
The clear blue sky has gone and here he comes. At least you get plenty of warning.
The dust settles very quickly.
My last photo and a dash for the car, he slowed down to reduce the dust as he passed us.
All that remains of the Hamilton Hotel is the fire place. It is fenced off with chain wire fencing. This is because there are very large pieces of petrified wood in the fire place. Above is some of it.
The Min Min light has been sighted around this area.
Quite a way from the hotel ruins was the hotel dump of glass. There was an astonishing amount of broken glass in a large area, there must be thousands of bottles buried here.
We stopped at a lookout – which gives you a good view of the mesa’s and I remarked to Glen that we would probably be the only people in Australia having lunch here today – There wasn’t any traffic on the highway. The look out is on top of a mesa and is a steep climb up. There isn’t much room on top, so we pulled in close to the picnic table leaving only enough room for someone to pass on the down loop. No sooner had we set up, when we were engulfed by 6-8 vehicles! One couple who had walked to the top (they had a caravan) told us that further ahead the road was being closed for 15 minute intervals while they were filming a car chase for the sequel to Gold Stone starring Jacki Weaver. Glen has told me I am never to make that comment again.
We had to stop while the final take was being filmed. Of course there was nothing for us to see because we were quite a few kilometres from the actual shoot. We did see the entry to where the main filming is being done and the gazebos in the distance. When we passed where the road chase was set up – there were a lot of trucks and twice as many people all scurrying around. We had not even heard of the first movie – so will have to look it up.
We arrived in Winton late in the afternoon. Winton is looks great. Lots of improvements. It is great to see the towns greening up. They have the water, and in the past it just didn’t see important to them. The tourist trade certainly improves the visual appearance of towns.
We drove straight out to Long Hole to camp – it is 2km south and then 2 kms east of Winton. Not a blade of grass in site.
It is totally undesirable as a camping spot – luckily it is only one night. This is just dried mud and any drop of water dissolves it. These large cracks are also favoured by the snakes out here, plus they are ankle breakers. We have had many wonderful camps, so one really ordinary one is not going to kill us but it reminds me how lucky we have been.
The big surprise is that Lark Quarry is temporarily closed. You would be very disappointed to drive all the way out here and find that out. We visited many years ago so it isn't on our trip this time.
Today before we head north, we are going to visit the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum which has developed a long way since starting. We will also spend a little time in Winton this morning.
When we go into town today, I will take photos of Winton.
No comments:
Post a Comment