A Mile of Machines at Ilfracombe Queensland

http://www.ebrochures.com/ebrochures/eBooks/Travel/A_Mile_of_Machines

Ilfracombe Machinery and Heritage Museum
The Museum, situated on the northern side of the main road, provides an insight into this past with its displays of an old police lock-up used between 1901 and 1974, a meat house, the old manual post office exchange, a machinery shed with steam engines, tractors, pumps, graders, trucks, drays, buggies, a 100-million year-old petrified palm, curious natural limestone rocks with a remarkably rounded form, along with other interesting artefacts and memorabilia. One of the old wagons possessed by the museum was once in local use. It was drawn by 20 or 30 horses and carted about 100 bales of wool (weighing 15 to 20 tons) to sea ports such as Bowen or Rockhampton: a six-month return journey.
Also on-site is 'Oakhampton', a cottage which was once part of the 'Lyndon' estate. It is considered typical of a station hand's married quarters and was common enough on rural stations until after World War II. It now sells souvenirs and crafts, The museum has been built in the style of an old station homestead. It is open permanently with no entry charge.


Ilfracombe
Tiny western Queensland township surrounded by large grazing properties.
Looking at the tiny settlement of Ilfracombe, with its one hotel and rather isolated Folk Museum, it is hard to imagine that, in the 1890s, the town had three hotels each with its own dance hall, a soft drink maker, a coach builder, two general stores, a billiard saloon, a dressmaker, three commission agents, a couple of butchers, a baker and a saddler. The story of western Queensland is contained in these changes. Once transportation became efficient the number of people living in the outback declined. What took a month in the 1890s can now take only a few hours.
Today there are just 350 people living in a shire which covers an area of 6500 sq. km. The old stations where anything up to 100 people were employed are now a thing of the past. Back in1892 Wellshot Station (60 km south of town) was the largest sheep station in the world, in terms of the number of sheep it ran: 460 000. Indeed, so predominant was it that Ilfracombe was, until 1890, known as Wellshot.

Sapphire Mining at Gemfields Queensland

Sapphire Mining.

I spent a week searching sapphires at Gemfields and Emerald in the far North of Queensland in sweltering heat.
I found no sapphires, but I experienced a wonderful comradeship with the people who live and love this area.



Sapphire Mining Queensland

Coastal Art-Maggi

Coastal Art has now begun.

http://coastalart-maggi.blogspot.com/

You are invited to follow Coastal Art and be a part of the New Site
Maggi will be based at Hervey Bay and Maryborough until the end of January.

Stay posted to keep abreast with Coastal Art and photos from this wonderful location where the whales stay and play. Add yourself to be a follower. Add your link and share this Coastal Experience and experience the Powers of the Coast.

Hervey Bay is known for its healing properties. The aborigines from the past times would come to Hervey Bay to heal, and then they would move on.
I was told yesterday that Hervey Bay is the place to heal and grow, and then go on.
In the month I have been here, I have already experienced this marvellous phenomena. The whole area has special qualities that help you regain what you have lost or misplaced. I have already experienced the rejuvenating powers of Hervey Bay.

As you read and share Coastal Art-Maggi may you too feel some of the rejuvenating powers of the Coast.


Maggi

Springbrook National Park and Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge, Springbrook National Park is a most unusual geological feature created over millions of years by water tumbling through the roof of a basalt cave. Natural Bridge is home to an amazing colony of glow-worms, whose lights can be seen only after sunset. Lookouts and lush rainforest also grace this World Heritage-listed haven, making it one of the most popular parks in Australia.
he rock archway of natural bridge spans the mountain-fed waters of cave creek. Behind the bridge, the creek forms a waterfall, which plunges into a gaping hole, disappearing into the depths of a cavern. From the pool below the bridge emerges a sparkling stream, which flows into the Nerang River and down the Numinbah Valley. Surrounding the creek is dense subtropical rainforest. To the east, towering cliff faces form the edge of Springbrook.

On the deep deposits of rich volcanic soils grow the dense lowland subtropical rainforest of natural bridge. The forest canopy is a mosaic of many fruit tree species. Lillipillies, Figs, Ferns, Vines, Orchids and Staghorn also grow. Pademelons, Eastern Yellow Robins, Eastern Whipbirds, Green Catbirds, Koels, Fruit Doves, Bush turkeys, Goannas, Lorikeets, Brush tailed Possums, Sugar gliders, Bandicoots, Boobook Owl are just some of the wildlife which can be found.

http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/qld/goldcoast/southport/travel-guides/gardens/natural-bridge

CWA Country Womens Association Cloncurry

CWA (Country Womens Association) in Cloncurry, ran the food stall and also sold their CWA Cookbooks
CWA is represented here by Editha, Lynn and Gloria

http://www.qcwa.org.au/
The Queensland Country Women's Association, is one of the largest women's organisations in Queensland, and was established in 1922. Members involvement is voluntary.
The role of the QCWA is to improve education, health and welfare of women and children and hence the family, particularly in the isolated areas of Queensland.
QCWA is non political and non-sectarian.

Country Roads Cloncurry

Country Roads had a wonderful display with photos of the Roads and services around Cloncurry.
This is the 30th Cloncurry Show.

http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/

Have a look at the Live web cameras around Queensland. Cloncurry isn't there but you can see the major cities in Queensland
http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/web/publicCR.nsf/DOCINDEX/Live+traffic+web+cameras

Chinamans Dam on the 29 of March

There is still water in the Dam, which is full
The trees are still green, and there are flowers and rich foliage ariund the Dam.
You can see that the Overflow is now down and the overflow area has no water.
There are still locals enjoying boating on the Dam.

Signpost at the River

I am standing on the bridge at the sigbpost

Cloncurry River in Flood

It rained from the 28th of January till the end of February.
It rained and it rained.
These photos were taken in the first week, as I had hired a car for the week, and was able to drive to see the area. The first view was the waters of the Cloncurry River pouring their way along the river at a furious pace.