Barcaldine (population 1,200) is famous for the Tree of Knowledge, a place of significane for the Australia Labour Party.
The Australia Labor Party emerged out of the Workers Union formed after the shearers strike.
They had a little problem though. Someone poisoned the tree. A monument/sculpture now stands over and around the preserved remains of the tree. A new young tree stands nearby. There is something symbolic and yet ironic about this site. An ordinary but beautiful tree now stands poisoned, sheltered by amazing and unique but somehow grotesque artwork that both dwarfs and protects it.
The burghers of Barcaldine have protected the past by overhelming it with the present.
One other interesting sidelight - the tree was once known as the
'Alleluia' tree because the Salvation Army met (I am assuming that the meeting was an open air).
Machinery Mile - Ilfracombe (population 300)
Instead of staying at Longreach we oted to stay at Ilfracombe, just 30 kms shy of the home of tbe Stockman's hall of Fame. With the ancient machinery arranged north of the highway and surrounding two small museums, it was an interesting afternoon walk.
Throw in the information centre, which offered displays and videos about Wellshot Station and the Rush for Grass, together with some other displays and a boundary riders hut. Add to this the nearby Langenbeker House,
and it was a worthwhile place to pull in for a few nights.
Instead of staying at Longreach we opted to stay at Ilfracombe, just 30 kms shy of the home of the Stockman's hall of Fame. With the ancient machinery arranged north of the highway and surrounding two small museums, it was an interesting afternoon walk.
Just in case the falcon doesn't make it we spotted an alternative vehicle that might come in handy.
