Bedourie Queensland

For the 3rd night in a row we have been woken in the middle of the night by different things… 1st night in Mt Isa at 1 am by a wiz bang, 2nd night at Dajarra dam by weird noise I thought may have been a mouse but after some investigation ended up being a moth trapped in the window sill and then last night by the wind gushing through making us dash out at 4am to roll up awning. So we looked forward to our morning coffee before packing up to head out of Boulia. Although the sun was shinning in the clear blue sky, the weather has noticeably turned and there is a definite chill in the air… from 34° to 19°!

On our way out we spot the camels once again.

We fill up with the cheapest fuel for a while @ $2.12 and it was the first time we a had to buy fuel via an app. We then stopped just after crossing the Burke River, reading some of the information boards there.

We also drive past the golf course.

Along the 196km to Bedourie we drove past the Tropic of Capricorn. The last time was on Day 17 as we drove to Newman Western Australia (we are now Day 105!).

Broglas

Flood water monitors found next to rivers and creeks 

We drive up to the Vaughan Johnson Lookout which was named after former Member for Gregory, in recognition for his advocacy and efforts made towards the advancement of the sealed road network in Western Queensland.

From the top there was some stunning views of the Eyre Creek and Georgina River floodplains and the escarpments on the western boundaries. 

There was also a toilet and picnic shelter, along with interpretation panels providing good information on early pastoralism and transportation.

Loo with a view…

Wild dingo

Lots of galas

We arrived in Bedourie around 12 noon. It’s a small town with a population of 120 people and is perched on a sand dune surrounded by Eyre Creek. It’s the administrative centre for the Diamantina Shire which is the same size as Hungary! 

The town was once a major watering and rest stop in the 1880s for drovers moving cattle from the Northern Territory and northwest Queensland to the customs collection point in Birdsville, 200 kilometres to the south. Amongst others, Sir Sidney Kidman was one of the early station owners in the district. He even owned The Royal Hotel at one point.

Bedourie is also the birthplace of the world-famous Bedourie Camp Oven! Borne out of necessity under a tree during the 1920s by a tin smith, the Bedourie Camp Oven was constructed for the drovers and cameleers who were having problems with their outback cookware. The cast iron ovens they carried were cracking and breaking under the harsh conditions of the outback. In 1945 R.M.Williams began selling the ovens. 

We had a look at The Pisé House (mud hut) built in 1896 and a rare example of rammed earth building that has survived. 

We also had a dunk in the artesian spa that can relieve aches and pains in its 40° warm waters coming from the Bedourie Great Artesian Bore drilled back in 1905, as well as the 25m, 30° swimming pool. 

We decided that a camp along the Eyre Creek was more our thing , so we drove 68km out of town to Cuttaburra Crossing rest area offering toilet and dump point. This is a permanent waterhole and home to many bird species. We were first to arrive at 2pm and were later joined by a few other campers.

Swallow nests in the bird hide

Fish scales heheh

Snake skin…

Buster repairs

270km today