The ‘donkey’ – an outside hot water shower – its awesome. We live on bore water for everything other than drinking water which is tank water, there are a lot of minerals etc in the bore water but its still nice to have a hot shower & be able to wash the clothes, the idea being once you have had a shower you put more wood on for the next person, works well.
One of the ringers has a pup, a cutie, there are a few other kelpie/cattle dog belonging to the manager, they usual go out to muster but puppy stays with us tied up til happy hour.
There were 4 musters to the yards at Aroota where they were drafted, all weaners taken up toward to the homestead, cows with young calves released to where they come from, fat old cows not breeding anymore were culled & replaced with young heifers, all steers to homestead then onto to QLD & replaced a few of the bulls – its a big process & well handled.
the donkey warming up the water for a shower
after dark, she glowing as there are more people to shower
the fire nearly goes 24 hrs a day but only moderate coals at lunch time
first ones in for happy hour
we have a long happy hour
the pup knows the warmest spots
dinner finished, bedtime for me.
one of the trucks used to move the cattle
early morning starts
one of the 3 choppers used
so many of these critters around
they love hanging out on the overflow from the bore
The finches also love hanging around in the acacia bushes at the overflow of the bore.
early morning, all the ringers gone mustering already
she does like sitting in the boxes in the early morning
another muster just about fininshed – muster #3
quad bikes quite handy
they use about 6 motor bikes
Keeping the cattle quiet makes life much easier for everyone.
Aroota is the name of the desert muster camp & the bottom section of Tobermoray station. The set-up is quite amazing considering where it is, 100klms south of the homestead. The muster area for Aroota camp is approximately 150klm long x 40klm wide & they muster 4 different areas. The kitchen set-up is great, gas cook tops & oven & an electric oven as well if needed, I have just been using the gas.
We went out to one of the musters only the last section of it – so many cattle, it was very interesting, this was the first time they have used horses as well as motorbikes, quads, helicopters & utes, I think they were quite happy with the outcome. They move the cattle slowly but there still was lotz of dust, had a few naughty moo’s but they were soon rounded up. The age of the ringers ranged from 4yrs to 50yrs – the bosses kids, one on the grey pony (6yo)& the other on a bike(5yo).
Peter & I went for a drive the other day just for a few hours, the country is pretty amazing, very grassy in some areas, no grass in other areas, rocks & miles & miles of country. Majority of the cattle are in really good condition, it was good to see & the countryside beautiful.
our camp
looking down at the camp
Tank high up on a hill, this holds bore water for ablutions & kitchen.
looking across to the closest set of yards to the camp
The sun is about to rise.
kitchen – my home away from home….
other end of the kitchen area, most people sit outside unless it’s too cold
Met a distant cousin from the Boshammer/Briggeman side of the family.
ute with fuel
helicopter #1 today
lotz of dust
ringers of all ages & sizes
ute & poddy calf collector
helicopter #2 on the job today
the horses worked well with the cattle
walking the cattle along the fence line to the yards & a couple of escapee’s
just miles & miles & miles
WOW, she was moving very quickly – shame it’s not connected
After having breakfast we packed up camp & drove back across the QLD/NT border along the Barkly Hwy, took a left turn down Austral Downs Rd & once again drove on roads not travelled on by us before.
Drove past Lake Nash Station & back into QLD, then eventually found our way to Urandangie, a sad looking town but there are a few locals living there, we kept going for 5klms & camped up at the Rock Hole on the Georgina River – not a bad spot to camp up on. We put in the red claw pots to try our luck. Neck day we checked out pots – WOW! 2 monsters & 1 average, we left the pots in as we staying another night Had a nice fire to relax by. We had neighbors arrive but they were fine, we collected our pots the next morning & another great catch, 6 beauties this time. We packed up camp & were on our way.
Saw a few wedgetail eagles feasting on road kill but was only able to get a pic of one, not a bad size. Got to Tobermoray Station, homestead/camping area, we hung around for an hour then followed the crew to the muster camp which will be our new home for a while, 100klms away from the homestead.
sundown fast approaching
Fire ready for breakfast
Bye Camooweal Billabong.
Austral Downs Rd
They make good use of some of their used car parts…
town centre
our camp at Rock Hole
the mighty Georgina River – quite a few rocks at this spot
Had some visitors in the morning but I think Peter’s snoring scared them as they bolted in a hurry.
Not a bad catch
Relaxing by the fire.
Next morning catch, 6 beauties 2day.
Stopped on our way to Tobermoray Station to get a pic of a wedgie.
Cape Crawford is approximately 100klms SW of Borroloola, home of the famous Heartbreak Hotel at the junction of the Tablelands & Carpentaria Highway. Despite the first part of its name, Cape Crawford is approx 120klms from the ocean & was named because it is situated at the northern extremity or ‘cape’ of the Abner Ranges which were first discovered by drover Lindsay Crawford in 1880. The Abner Ranges are home to the ‘Lost City’, which covers around 8 square klms & is dotted with towering sandstone formations – very popular with birdwatchers & hikers. Its a quirky joint & very interesting, we had dinner at the hotel & it was amazing.
Next morning, we headed off down the Tablelands Hwy, quite a scenic road to travel, we came across some cattle at a waterhole enjoying the refreshments. Before reaching the Barkly Hwy we turned left onto Ranken Rd(another road we had not travelled), we camped up at a gravel pit for the night. Quite good spot some cute willy-wagtails & finches, but there were lotz of flies.
Next stop Camooweal Billabong – WOW! what a beautiful spot & very popular, we managed to find a nice little camp with neighbours not too close. Lotz of birdlife (quite a variety) & lillies.
Our camp in the park.
Some cuties have a drink next to the Tablelands Hwy.
We drove out to Elsie Station, thanks to brother Rob we were able to get permission to go fishing on the Roper River – WOW! some beautiful spots out there, our 1st trip we just went for a few hours, caught 5 barra but only kept 2. Our next rip we camped out there for the night – another WOW! experience, so beautiful, we did manage to catch a couple bara but didn’t keep any this time. Had a coffee when we greeted the morning, then walked down the river for a few klms throwing lures, caught a few sooty’s, 1 catfish & no bara – so no keepers but was an interesting walk. Peter made us a yummy breaky on our return, we packed up camp then called into another spot where the pump is located – nice spot, a rather large water hole & 1000’s of ‘slater bugs’.
Slater bugs – just like worms are great for your garden living on organic matter & returning nutrients to the soil. They are known as woodlice or pill bugs. There was 1000’s of them everywhere along the river bank near where the pump was located, none were at the spot where we camped.
I was lucky enough to be able to spend 5 days in Kununurra with Ben & Sawyer(grandson), Mum was in Perth for a netball carnival, had great times with Sawyer, what an amazing buba – thankx Ben & Erin. xxx
Also was able to catch up with some ‘Lamonds’ in Katherine – was wonderful, thankx Mary, Gary, Carole & Costa for giving us some more great memories. 🙂
The mighty Roper River.
A nice one – 68cm
The fish cleaner at work……….
Another nice one – 65cms
Saw these critters on the 2nd trip out to Elsie, they are cute.
Got the fire going not long after we got to our camping spot.
all set up – r’n’r time
early morning flick of the lures – no keepers
Breakfast king on duty..
Thankx Mr Weier our toaster working well.
slater bugs.
Our camp in Katherine – 15klms out of town at Patow’s towing.
Lotz of these critters wondering around.
Sawyer – loves his food.
Sawyer & Dad (Ben) having a splash in the spa.
Sawyer & I going out for a walk.
Great night out with family – Mary & Gary, Carole & Costa. Thankx guys it was awesome to catch up. 🙂
Spent 5/6 weeks at Mataranka house sitting Nathan & Emma’s place (Nathan the whip cracker)- 5 acres, 7 horses, 4 cows, 20 odd chooks, not a bad place, could be really nice but we enjoyed our time there.
Chris & Di Robbo from Kununurra came for an o/nite visit, we drove out to the hot springs for a look then stopped along the way back on the Roper river a few times & tried our luck fishing-no joy, but Di & I had a nice paddle. We drove to Katherine the next day & checked out the Katherine hot springs – very surprising, they are quite lovely, was nice spending time with great mates.
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Nathan & Emma’s place that we house sat for 5/6 weeks
our home for 5/6 weeks
Cooked a couple of camp oven dinners from the coals
Everlastings – presently full of flower all along the road sides
Greenbank QLD, Willows QLD, Gunpowder NT & Tablelands NT & Mataranka NT.
April 2025
After 4 & a bit weeks our time at Greenbank, QLD is over, Abby did a great job of making a cake. Amy & Pat returned home on 14th April after cruising around Australia for a month. We all went out for dinner, the O’Neils, Cathrine, Greg, Georgia & Joe (Gregs brother) to the Logan Village pub, a long time between visits for us to be there but was very enjoyable.
We left Greenbank 0400hrs Wednesday 16th April, big day driving, we camped up at Bogantuncan, a free camp next to the railway station. On 26th February 1960, just south of this town the Midlander passenger train heading east to Rockhampton passed over the flooded Medway Ck. The bridge collapsed when the train was partly over it & a number of carriages plummeted into the water, 4 passengers & 3 crew were killed while 47 people were injured. Bogantuncan was once a thriving town, in the early 1880’s there were 28 hotels, several churches, numerous businesses, sporting clubs and a racecourse. Today there is only a few houses & the railway station has become a small historical museum. It was a small area but quite lovely.
Next camp up, after another longish day found us just west of Mt Isa, on the Barkly Hwy at WW2 airfield, a rather large area that extends out the back a far way, they have picnic tables, fire pits, flushing toilets & good phone reception: a great overnight stop.
3rd night on the road we pulled up at Attack Creek on the Stuart Hwy approximately 600klms south of Katherine, this area pays homage to John McDouall Stuart. It has picnic tables, watertank (not potable), firepits even firwood at different times, a toilet, we have camped here before down near the water – both camp areas good.
Next day we called into the Daly Waters Pub for lunch, it has been on our ‘to do’ list for a long time – WOW! very quaint, luckily for us we chose a quiet day to visit, it is a very popular place for lotz of locals & visitors. Lunch was very enjoyable & the wall features interesting. 2 hours down the road we came to Mataranka, our final stop at Nathan Griggs & Emma Palmer’s place 10 minutes from the hwy, our home for the next 5 weeks – we are house sitting while they go south & do their whip cracking shows.
Abby made a cake for my birthday, she did great job.
Pat & Amy
Grandpa & grandies…Abby, Tommy & Georgia.
Georgie gifted me some beautiful roses.
our camp
Had a few visitors.
our camp
sun going down
sun coming up
our camp at Attack Creek
wild tomato
there were a few road trains passing through but they didn’t bother us
sun going down
full of lotz of ‘stuff’ – very quirky & cute
a couple of interesting signs hanging up
Bit of local & interesting information.
a couple of the locals outside.
This where we are at Mataranka – Nathan & Emma’s place.
The concrete slab apparently originated in the 1940’s with the Defence Force.
Camped up at Casino & spent few days with Peter’s family – nice.
Next stop: Beebo Weir also known as Cunningham’s Weir located on the Dumaresq River which I think is the border between NSW & QLD is 30klms NW of Texas, a free camp on NSW side where we camped up. Lovely spot – just us. The weir is a timber-crib stepped weir completed in 1954, during a major flood in 1956, the maximum recorded head-above-crest reached 7.3m, very little damage to the weir which is still operational today.
Spent the next few nights at my cousins at Pittsworth – thankx Ros & Neil, always an enjoyable time at your joint.
Greenbank – Amy & Pat’s (Peter’s middle daughter) – we house, children & dog sitting for a month. So much rain, the dogs & I still went walking, the local park run track was under water quite often. Got to spend a few nights with my daughter Jenna & 2 ‘grandies’ Harry & Imogen – I am very lucky.
our camp
the weir
Dumaresq River
Lotz of prickly pear fruiting but none ripe as yet.
Lake Wyangan Picnic Area is a 10 minute drive NW of Griffith(NSW) – a 309 hectare former gypsum mine & natural swamp area it is home to peacocks, geese, kangaroo’s, water fowls & numerous birds. It offers a free camp location for a maximun of 3 night stay, lotz of facilities available & a great spot.
Macquarie Woods Recreation Park, Vittoria State Forest is 30 minutes W of Bathurst on the road to Orange & has both pine plantations and native forest, also home to a variety of native fauna. It was another great free camp with such a large area.
Cathedral Reserve – a free camp in the northern part of the Blue Mts about a 45 minute drive from Katoomba in the hills of Mt Wilson, it is one of the largest free campgrounds in the Blue Mts National Park. Has great drop toilets & lotz of firepits available, a great base of hikers. Mid afternoon the mist/fog enveloped us -WOW! so quick & at times you could only see a few metres in front of you. We had an enjoyable walk along the fern edged tracks.
Barham is a town in the western Riverina of NSW, it is located 823klm SW of Sydney and 303klm NW of Melbourne, situated on the Murray river across the river from Koondrook in Victoria.
We camped up on the Murray River on the Victorian side (free camp) -quite nice, just us. Next day found us travelling SW through the centre of Barham towards Griffith (NSW), about 20klms out of Barham funny noises were heard, lucky for us we pulled over – wheel nuts on back right hand side of ute tyre had all been sheared off except one…WOW. A new experience for us, rang RACQ, they put us in contact with a local fellow from NRMA, he was awesome, made sure we contacted all the right people to enable us to receive the entitlements we were due with our RACQ breakdown membership. He towed our KK & took us back to town where we booked into the caravan park, 3 nights, a hire car & all towing fees paid for: wow! The tow truck driver collected Peter from van park that afternoon & they went & picked up our ute, dropped it off at NRMA guys shed then Peter got lift with tow truck driver to Kerang, Vic (thats where the tow trucks apparently come from, none in Barham) & Peter drove the hire car back to caravan park- so an interesting day that ended okay because of some amazing assistance. We picked up the ute in 2 days, dropped the hire car back at Kerang & left Barham the next morning.
While we were camped up in caravan park we did a bit of walking, did the Koondrook Barham Redgum Statue River walk – quite interesting, so much history here but the statues were amazing. The statues, carved by chainsaws, highlight local identities and wildlife significant to the region began in 2002.
not a pretty site…..
1st experience for the ‘old girl’
Paddle steamer – used for tourism
Pioneer woman raised families, cleared land, built fences, tended stock sowed crops & faced many dangers of living on the land alone.
Sir John Monash – chief engineer of the Barham/Koondrook Bridge that officially opened 1904.
Barham/Koondrook bridge
The mighty Murray River
Herbert Keck – 1st citrus grower in the area.
Stuart Appleby – Australian Professional Golfer use to hits balls from paddock to paddock as part of his practice regime.
Eastern Grey Kangaroo – very common in this area.
Sidney Carl Percival Reid – Managing Director of Arbuthnot Sawmills for 44yrs & oversaw the conversion of the mill from steam to electricity
Sir John Gorton – He lived at Kangaroo Lake (located between Kerang & Swan Hill) with his wife working an orchard, in 1968 he became the 19th Prime Minister of Australia in unusual circumstances.
Laughing Kookaburra – found throughout eastern Australian.
The Murray Cod – is renowned as one of Australia’s largest fresh water fish.
The might Murray with its abundance of wildlife especially cockatoo’s.
Paddle Steamer Captains -worked long hours & had an enormous knowledge of the Murray River, for many years Barham & Koondrook were important trading stops.
John Powell – a popular local tragically died in a tree felling accident in the Koondrook State Forest, he was 52 yrs old.
Alexander Arbuthnot – was the founder of the Arbuthnot Sawmill in the late 1800’s, Arbuthnot Sawmill continues to operate on the original site in Koondrook.
The Arbuthnot Sawmill as it is today.
a very busy place at the mill
Australian Pelican is common to this area.
Nurse Elizabeth Rosen – established the ‘Carnarvon’ Private Hospital in Koondrook.
Arthur Molin – migrated to Australia from England in 1912, moved to Koondrook in 1935 & took over the petrol station & added a mechanical business.
Wedge-tailed Eagle – largest raptor in Australia & is the most common of the world’s largest eagles.
Roy “The Professor” Higgins – born in Koondrook at Nurse Rosen’s, Roy had 2312 wins as a jockey including 2 Melbourne Cup wins.
William Nkuppa Sampson – an Aboriginal stockman who grew up on Edward River near Moulamein, wa was involved in the classing & breeding of the Peppin Merino bloodline
Murray river Goanna – Tree hugging goannas live in the redgum forests along the Murray River, growing up to more than 2 metres long.
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