Day 98: Mon 1 Aug - Barcaldine

Day 98: Mon 1 Aug - Barcaldine

12 to 26 Deg. The fresh wind persisted until midday before it settled, but it remained cloudy all day, looking more stormy as the afternoon progressed, but thankfully rain didn't eventuate. I was out for an early morning walk to the Lagoon Creek Wetlands with plenty of birdlife and even a few brolgas, then back to the van through town. After breakfast we made our way to the Australian Workers Heritage Centre in the main street. While some aspects were informative, it was mostly disappointing. After dragging our visit out for a little over an hour we headed to a cafe for coffee which was also disappointing. Never mind... We had another stroll along the main street before returning to the van, refuelling on the way (only $2.29/lt but still cost $246 to refill). In the afternoon I went out on the bike for a spin to the RSL Lawn Cemetery, back through town stopping at the Tree of Knowledge again (I really do like this monument), then to the opposite side of town to the Recreational Water Park, and back to the van via the Lagoon Creek Wetlands again. It was a very pleasant ride in the warm afternoon sun with no wind.  After a few chores we had pre-dinner drinks outside the van on the lawn with colourful bougainvillea as backdrop. With the end of another day upon us, dinner, phone calls and blogging followed. Tomorrow we will leave early for another short drive to Blackall for two nights. Unfortunately they had rain there overnight and today, so we hope that our planned off-grid stay at the Riverside Camping Area is not too wet or muddy.


Morning walk along Lagoon Creek wetlands

Back of the Globe, a restored hotel, now a multifunctional building including the Visitor Information Centre

The Barcy Base Camp - home of Trackers Tours and the Desert Dreaming Centre which offers a variety of authentic aboriginal cultural experiences

The Barcy Base Camp - Indigenous lady and goat cart sculpture

Morning view at the caravan park

Inside the Australian Workers Heritage Centre - The Celebration Theatre 'Circus Tent' with photographic exhibitions

Inside the Australian Workers Heritage Centre
 - Old Police Watch House which was relocated from Toogoolwah

The 'Young-un' Tree grown from the original Tree of Knowledge

AWU Shearers Hall relocated from Longreach

Displays inside the AWU Shearers Hall

The Labour House

Inside the Labour House - display of cartoons

Inside the Labour House - Photos of federal and state Labour Representatives



Modes of Transport Painting

Women in Australia's Working History Display - ' A lot on her plate'

Emergency Services Display

Emergency Services Display


Kunwarara Railway Station and Carriage built in 1915, relocated in 1994


Barcaldine RSL Lawn Cemetery - very nicely maintained

Barcaldine RSL Lawn Cemetery - very nicely maintained


Back of the Railway Station and Tree of Knowledge

1 of 5 pubs within 290m - only 4 active. The Union Hotel in existence for more than 100years was originally moved by bullock wagon from Pine Hill 50km away

1 of 5 pubs within 290m - only 4 active. The Railway Hotel was burnt down several times over its life


1 of 5 pubs within 290m - only 4 active. The Artesian Hotel built in 1887 - more than 100 years old


1 of 5 pubs within 290m - only 4 active. The Shakespear Hotel the first hotwl  in Barcaldine was shifted from Pine Hill by rail in 1886, since pulled down, rebuilt then burnt down and rebuilt again. This building was built in 1925


1 of 5 pubs within 290m - only 4 active. The Commercial Hotel built in 1887 rebuilt after being destroyed by fire twice 

Main Street and Tree of Knowledge


Tree of Knowledge with Railway Station 


Main street corner  - old 


Main Street, Windmill and Tree of Knowledge 

St Peters Church of England built in 1899



St Peters Church of England built in 1899

Barcaldine Recreational Lake - a man made lake for a range of water sports 1,100m long and 250m wide. It looked nice enough for a swim, but way too cool 

Riding back into Barcaldine


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