Monday, July 06, 2009

outback odyssey

We've been on a week's holiday in central western Queensland. I loved it all - the wildlife (we saw emus, kangaroos, wallabies, wild budgerigars, an echidna, a red-bellied black snake and even a reclusive platypus), the quaint little towns, the barren landscapes and the dinosaur remains, displayed in unassuming museums.

This is a photo The Birdman took of the wild budgies.

Here Laura and I are stretching our legs, on the way from Winton to Richmond ...... a rough and ready sort of road. In a few places we thought we were going to lose something crucial from the car's undercarriage! - but in the end we made it in one piece.

Ben and I inspected dinosaur bones in Winton. It's amazing that these priceless bones, from millions of years ago, are kept in this tiny, dinky-di display. It cost us $10 (for a family) to enter. The museum was staffed by volunteers, who also sold jam, crochet-edged tea towels and doilies on the other side of the room.


The shops were unbelievably cute! This one is in Richmond - a gorgeous little town.


This gorge (Porcupine Gorge) is to be found at the end of another dodgy road, and appears as if out of nowhere in the flat, dry landscape.


I know I'm biased, but I do love our country, with all its extremes of climate and landscape. And although I enjoy overseas travel, there is something celebratory and patriotic about travelling in your own country. Yay for the Aussie holiday!



21 comments:

fifi said...

oh, that looks fantastic. i so hope to do a roadtrip one day. Preferably before my children are too old...they show no interest in such activities so perhaps I should just do it wothout them!

LOVE rhe photo of the long flat road but I cannot see little laura at all...where is she hiding?

Puss-in-Boots said...

I love the Outback and the Winton/Longreach trip is one I want to do next. Good to see you back, Jelly and I agree, Australia is a wonderful country.

freefalling said...

You sure it was a REAL platypus?
Not a stuffed one?

Where did you spot one?
I'm very jealous.
I haven't seen one "in the wild" ever.

Geez - you were out in the sticks, weren't you?
Did you drive all that way?

My sister and her family are out that way at the moment on a friend's property at Yaraka (never heard of it?? me either). It's between Blackall and Windorah.

Sounds like a fabulous trip.

TUFFENUF said...

I feel that same way, Jelly. Everyone is always telling me to go to Europe, but I have no interest, I would rather explore around my own country first! (then I would like to go down under for my next choice!) Your photos are great! You always make us feel like we are right there with you.

meggie said...

Looks like a wonderful destination for a holiday. I find it incredible that some folk still deny the existance of the dinosaurs!

Alice said...

Glad you all got so much out of your outback holiday.

Do you know what the other good thing about an Aussie holiday is?

You can read all the road signs, etc.......(that's from someone who has tried to read European signs for a few weeks - even though I didn't really need to).

John Cowart said...

Right. There's no place like Home!

Your photo of the gorge shows magnificent grandeur.

PS: my internet connection has been down--again. I wrote an answer to your question telling the little I know about Short's marriage a couple of days ago but could not post it till this morning.

The Hippocratic Oaf said...

Looks like a fantastic escape from the world. I am thoroughly jealous, one day I am sure I shall visit Oz. That day is however, probably a long way off!

Mackey said...

Sorry dear.....you do not have "extremes of climate." WE here in Alberta Canada have EXTREMES!
- 35*C in winter + 35*C is summer.
=O lol

Looks like you had a nice holiday. Hope you had a chance to put your feet up.

Michelle said...

Glad you had such a wonderful time. Love our landscape too.
Would love to know what kind of clothes O'Sullivans shop sold.

Flossy said...

That's awesome Jelly - it is an amazing country we live in.
I've never been to the Outback, but I would just love to go to Broome for a few weeks :)

Alipurr said...

stopping by to say hi, and I always love looking at your pics and seeing what you are up to :). Hope you guys have a great day

Pam said...

I am stunned by the picture of the road going nowhere. Well, clearly not really going nowhere, but stretching out into apparent infinity. It looks scary to me. Though interesting.

Scotland isn't like that. Roads end in other roads, or houses, or fields, or mountains.

Kerri said...

Ah yes, I could go for an Aussie holiday, Mate!
I've been to both Winton and Richmond, years ago, before I was married. Sounds like they've hardly changed...
It's been a long time since I've stopped by for a visit, Jelly. It's so good to catch up with you.
I'm glad you had a lovely holiday with your family.
Please say hi to your dear mum for me.
xoxo

Nestor Family said...

What a lovely recount of your holiday happenings! Glad that you all had a fun time!

John Cowart said...

Every morning when I turn on my computer, I check your blog to see if there is a new posting from you.

It's been a while and I'm concerned for you.

I hope your husband and kids and brother are all ok. And that mistake you mentioned a while back has not floored you.... You do not need to post nor reply. I just wanted you to know that you are not forgotten.

John

thisisme said...

Jelly, I love those pictures, and definitely need to do another roadtrip soon.

Hope all is well and I see you posting again soon.

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Your pictures are fantastic. The picture of you & Laura stretching your legs is like a moonscape. There's nothing out there, not even a little hill or knoll...just completely flat.

I also find it patriotic to travel around in my own country. I've never been across the seas, although I would like to travel somewhere besides the USA, but when you have little money you just travel where you can.

I like the diverse landscapes of that flat area and the gorge. It's hard to believe that what looks like that small stream below carved out such a big immense gorge. It's like our Grand Canyon.

I live in a town right next to Richmond.

Michelle said...

are you on another holiday????

thisisme said...

Isn't it a small world. Is it the legal one that now lives very southerly? If it is, the world got even smaller - he is my cousin :) Thanks for letting me know - weird it wouldn't let you message me though

thisisme said...

You are safe - I haven't told him - first I had to eliminate which of my three friends with that name was the one you knew - although it wasn't too challenging. That is such an amazing coincidence - what a surprise