Superb Sunrises!

For early birds, there are some superb sunrises to be seen in Western Queensland. These clean, crisp moments are free, every day! The silence, the birds and you! Another magical moment which awaits you.

The Vision Spendid

The secret to viewing sunset? To turn around and also look at the Eastern sky.

Check out todays images, that were to be seen in the East, as the sun set in yesterdays blog. The apricots, the pinks and the blues are magical. In my books the reflected Eastern sky is often more spectacular than the Western sky.

Overcast Days Bring Outstanding Sunsets!

Check out some of the fabulous sunsets we are experiencing in Western Queensland with these rolling bands of overcasts days. And tomorrow.......I will share with you my secret for truly enjoying the full sunset experience.

Overcast Today!

Overcast Today

Western Queensland is experiencing a most unusual weather pattern at the moment. Every few days, another band of cloud rolls through. These cloud bands are originating on the West Coast, and are bringing patchy falls of rains. The Bureau of Meterology is predicting that these rolling ribbons of clouds will continue to come through for a number of weeks.

At the moment, each overcast spell is being followed by warm, sunny days. This alternate moisture and warmth helps build quality pastures. However, the cooler weather will set in soon, and the alternate wet and cold will then damage some of the nutritional greatness in the grass.

For now though, everyone is smiling as we have a huge volume of feed to carry grazing enterprises (and in turn, the economies of our communities) through the winter and well into spring.

Bring on another band of cloud!

The High Water Mark - Even Higher!

Look up and be surprised! Next time you are out in our fabulous Western Queensland countryside, look for evidence of how how the water in the recent floods actually rose. High water marks are marked by small piles of flood debris made up of sticks, twigs, grass stalks and leaves.

The High Water Mark

The High Water Mark?

Can you see it? Everywhere in Western Queensland, there are subtle little reminders of the huge flood event that passed by in March 2010. There are also many thousands of kilometres of fences that need to be replaced.

Fat Cattle Going Nowhere

Can you believe the fat cattle roaming the far South Western Queensland Channel Country will not be going anywhere? Well, at least not by rail in the near future.

The Westlander railway track which extends beyond Charleville to Quilpie was severely damaged during the huge rain event in March 2010. Whilst many kilometres of the track have been repaired, there are still large tracts awaiting repair. The rail is often used to haul lots mobs of cattle from properties in Western Queensland to the Eastern markets.

Check out this stretch of railway line! Can you even begin to imagine the volume and the current in the flood water that can do this?

Fat Cattle

There are lots of sleek and fat cattle contentedly meandering around the Western Queensland countryside. However, there are not as many cattle as usual to be seen grazing, as many property managers are yet to restock after a prolonged dry period. These cattle feed naturally on the pastures provided by nature,and truly are organic.

Jump Ups!

Have you ever run up a jump up?

Jump Ups are to be found throughout Western Queensland. A jump up is a landform usually known as a Mesa, which means it is a flat tabletop style hill with steep sides/cliffs. Sometimes, boulder opal can be found in the countryside surrounding a jump up. Jump Ups are usually found in flat, open country, and to drive or walk to the top of one can provide you with a scenic 360 degree view. This one is near Quilpie, and looked spectacular last week in the late afternoon sunlight.

To climb to the top of a jump up and take in the fresh air and the view should be on the list of '101 Things To Do Before You Die'. Is it on your list?

Sand Hills Emerge Majestically!

The red sandhills now rise majestically amidst the pastures, grasses and herbage between Eromanga and Windorah.

Its A Bugs Life

Migratory locusts and grasshoppers are to be found in vast quantities in Western Queensland at the moment. As one drives around, you can frequently come across bands of locusts and grasshoppers as they wing their way across the countryside. The ‘thwack thwack’ sound they make as the collide with the windscreen is familiar, and their wings glisten in the sunlight as they travel.

Recent rains in Western Queensland have provided food sources for these creatures, with the huge growth in vegetation grasses and shrubs. These creatures lay their eggs on the ground. They are very active during the day and easy to see.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow in the Channel Country!

“Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make its colors appear.”

Check out these fabulous rainbows I saw west of Quilpie. It is mid May, and there is still rain around. Isn't the herbage a wonderful sight?

There are quite a few travellers getting around the Western Queensland areas, and the Western Rivers Carer applauds them for venturing out here in what is one the best seasons in decades. As I travel around, I remind myself that it is a privilege to be viewing the lush countryside with its lush herbage and numerous insects and birds and frogs and wetlands.

Why not plan a trip out to see beyond the rainbows in the Channel Country?