Lake Dunn - 23/02/2023

After taking 2.5 hrs to travel 67km from Aramac, we arrived at Lake Dunn around 1000.  Not knowing what to expect, we called the previous day to book as WikiCamps suggested.  Rules of engagement are to not just rock up - bookings only - and cash only.

So we beat the rush and had a choice of pretty much anywhere we wanted to go.  We were the only tennants on the Lake that day/night - had the whole place to ourselves.  

We parked up under service pole No.2 about 15m from the water's edge.   

With ambient sounds of birdlife and the 'surf' lapping the shore, makes it a peaceful place.  Got to a warm 36 deg by midday but a cool breeze nullified the effect of the heat radiating from the awning overhead.  

The lake is full at the minute after the recent rains in the area.  The small pier near our campsite was partially submerged - the ripples of the water were washing over the pier.   I'd say it would have been submerged a few weeks ago as we could see how much the shore line had receded from our site to where it is now.

 

The partially submerged jetty

 

I put the drone up on sunset to get a bird's eye view of the lake and surrounds...

View to the West

View to the East

 

Lake Dunn is a freshwater oasis on in the middle of a very flat landscape.  The lake is located on privately owned pastoral land.  We got to meet the lady of the nearby homestead as she came to welcome us and collect our fee late in the day.   There are several cabins overlooking the water's edge to the west of where we setup.  Amenities are established and managed by the Barcaldine Regional Council were in need of a good clean, hence we used our own on board facilities for our stay.

I siezed the opportunity to explore the area at golden hours of sundown and sunup the next day...

A healthy breeze blew for most of our stay

A beautiful colourful sunrise

Our view of the lake directly from our site

Sunrise over the overflow area - looking to the west

Minimalism brings a sense of calm

I have a question - I was fascinated by this 'nest' growing on the trunk of a tree near our campsite.  I'd like to know what this is and what insect it is.  I assume it's some type of moth.  I observed these little fellas for a while as they came, reversed up like trucks, did what they did and moved on.  I grabbed a small video clip of them as well.

 

 

 

Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail - 23/02/2023

On Thursday, we decided to take a run out to Lake Dunn and stay the night.

Along the the run from Aramac to Lake Dunn, you can take in about 30% of the 'Sculpture Trail'.

Check out this link to see more on the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail - https://www.outbackqueensland.com.au/drive/lake-dunn-sculpture-trail/

Good road all the way to the lake but the remaining loop of the trail is unsealed road and after the recent weather events, we were advised it was dodgy in places.  One day, we'll return and check it out in its entirity.

Merino Ram

Henry Readford

Henry's dog

Johnathan Thurston

Plains Turkeys

Jabiru

Rainbow Serpent

 

 

Kangaroos and Goanna on a bike!

Crayfish

Frilled Neck Lizard

Emu and chicks

Echidna

Gratuitous drone selfie

Aramac - 22/02/2023

As I mentioned previously, neither of us had been to or through Aramac previously which is why we chose to come this way en-route to Longreach.  Some would say - the long way.  We were originally going to go via Hughenden - Winton but that road was closed at the time we left.

Aramac is tiny place as I expected - takes no more than 10 minutes to drive every streat and have a look around.

The most prominent thing you see around the town are the small 'Bull' statues peppered around the town in front of notable places.  It's all about the 'White Bull'.  There is a large statue in the centre of town which tells the story about the bull fascination.

 

The White Bull

The story of Henry Readford and the white bull

 

A selection of shots I took of the streets of Aramac...

The Anglican Church - built in 1912

The General (everything) Store - one stop shop! Note the little white bull - 'SHOPABULL'

The Local

The Butcher

As the evening fell over our overnight stay in Aramac, a looming storm was developing on the horizon in the Longreach direction.  However by all reports, there doesn't seem to have been much in it.  

It made for a dramatic sky which I just had to capture.

 

 

 

 

Townsville to Aramac - 21 to 22/02/2023

After a late getaway from home (after lunch), we trucked on out to as far as Campaspe River Rest Area just east of Pentland and pulled up stumps for the night.  Plenty of rain along the way and into the evening at Campaspe and pretty decent flow in the river too.  The night was pleasant at 19 deg.  A nice change from the heat at home when we left.

Campaspe River Rest Area

Today, we traveled on to Aramac via Torrens Creek - Aramac Rd. 

White Mountains National Park

JuJu Lookout - White Mountains National Park

Following the recent rain in the area, the drive is so much more enjoyable with the green countryside as far as the eye can see.  These couple of drone shots were taken around the turn off to Moorrinya National Park campground which we visited in Sept last year.  As you can see, the country is looking beautiful at the moment.

We're parked up at the Council run campground which is part of the showgrounds.  $20/night for power and water is pretty good.

Aramac Caravan Park - Council Campground.