BackRoads

Reporter:  Marg Werner

We are now 3 weeks into our driving holiday into Qld.  Have been blessed with fantastic weather, making use of the Artesian Springs at Mitchell while it snowed at home

---

Caught up with friends in Canberra, Lake MacQuarie and then the Gold Coast which has been a bonus as we motored along.

I am astounded at the endless open country we are moving through taking time to stop in small towns flushed with abundant history.  A 2 night farmstay 50 kms west of Mitchell has proven a highlight, staying on a 33,000 acre property called Bonus Downs.  Approaching was reminiscent of Faraway Downs from the movie Australia.  Night time meals with owners Lyle, Madonna and roustabout Charlie were full of stories both past and present.  Amazing photos and history gave us endless hours of reading dating back to the 1860’s.  Currently in its 4th year of drought, the stories constantly related to people reliant on weather, which has seen the oscillation between abundance with rain and ruin with drought for past 200 years.

Leaving Bonus Downs and dodging numerous road kill we have learnt that this area first settled with sheep but now only sustains catlle due to the wild dogs, we know as dingoes.  Charleville was sleepy at the weekend but we managed to see the Flying Doctor Service and a great show of the Bilby reintroduction in our one day here.  Currently heading north to Longreach.  This morning drive requires a driver and scout to avoid kangaroos and emus crossing the roads and navigating the large cattle droves, including their spare horses.