To the Black Stump - and beyond

At every place there's reason to stop. With grey nomads cruising through there's dollars to be made if you can get them to stop, even for a cup of coffee and some petrol. The large and small towns are all doing their bit to add value to a stop and make people welcome.

From Charleville we headed north via Auguthella (population 580). Murals and wrought iron sculptures in this outback town invite people to detour off the highway. Auguthella had the characters that inspired the "Smiley" books. This Aussie classic was released in 1958, and was the first movie I ever saw in the cinema. This image is just one of many that adorn the main street of this small town.



You can't get the Gents and Ladies confused either!


Blackall only has a population of 1705 , but must have about one tourist feature for every 100 people. This is one tourist friendly town.
Here are statues to honour Jack Howe (gun shearer who sheared 321 sheep in under eight hours), a Major Mitchell Clock, the pioneer bore, murals, a bird walk (don't trust their map), a big ram and the Blackall Woolscour.

And then there is the Australian Labor Federation Memorial marking the first meeting of the first shearer's union in December 1886.

It was also at Blackall that the 'legendary' black stump was located. We've now gone beyond the black stump. Sadly the original stump has been replaced by an old fossil. You can see it on the LEFT of the picture!

The Blackall Woolscour is an interesting place. For the uninitiated a woolscour is like a laundry for wool. Imagine working in a tin shed washing wool when the temperature outside is 40 degrees, and hot water and steam are used to wash and dry the fleece.

There is some old machinery scattered around the grounds. We had to look twice when there was a glimpse of a caravan almost like my Dad's. It wasn't, but it could have been. We had to check it out and make sure.

To anyone contemplating driving past - take a break and enjoy this place..