From Western Rivers to Winter Wonderlands

The Western Rivers Carer is taking three weeks leave to explore the 'winter wonderlands' of North America. I shall be back blogging after Christmas, and upon my return, I hope there have been reasonable rains throughout Western Queensland as a result of monsoonal influences with channels, creeks and rivers flowing. Thanks for visiting this blog and sharing the spectacular diversity of the Western River Country of Western Queensland.

The Rain On the Floodplain Is a Great Gain

The gentle fall of rain can be heard in many regions of Western Queensland tonight, and after a week or two of summer temperatures, the floodplain soils are soaking up this wonderful moisture. Reasonable rainfalls in the next few days (as the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting)will be a great boost to all who live in this special part of the world.

Thanks for stopping by to check out the gain of the floodplain when it rains!

Wedge Tail Eagle

Wedge Tail Eagle

Check out this welded metal sculpture of a wedge tailed eagle, which can be seen on the banks of the Barcoo River in Blackall, Western Queensland. Isn’t it a majestic piece of artwork? As one examines this, one is tempted to think that the nest is a little too large. Think again. Wedge Tail Eagles build the most amazingly huge and messy nests of loosely configured sticks. These nests can be up to 1.5 metres wide, and 3 metres deep, and are found precariously perched high above the landscape on the top of trees or escarpments.

These magnificent birds of prey are quite common in mainland Australia, and can frequently be seen soaring high above the plains, or standing guard over their prey, which often is remnant road kill carcasses. They also eat small mammals (e.g. possums, lambs, foxes, cats) or reptiles (e.g. snakes and lizards). The birds are a sandy brown – black colour, and have quite a regal presence, just as this sculpture does. If you are passing through Blackall, detour from the main road West to the Barcoo River Bridge to view this magnificent art work.

Angus Emmott Converses with Richard Fidler on ABC Radio

Have you ever listened to ABC Radio from 11 am - 12 noon and been captivated by CONVERSATIONS which is hosted by Richard Fidler? If you would like to explore some of the natural and people history of Central West Queensland through a brilliantly crafted conversation facilitated by Richard, check out yesterdays ABC Queensland Conversation.

http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/conversations/

Angus Emmott shares his personal story of living, working, exploring and connecting with all manner of people, plants and animals. This conversation is full of fascinating information relating to this unique part of the world. Why not check it out - listen direct on the website, or download and listen at your leisure. The photo above shows Angus indulging his love of photography near Eyre Creek.

It's Just A Dry Creek Bed.............?

It's Just A Dry Creek Bed.............?

The Western Rivers Carer invites you to look carefully at this photo (taken last week) of a dry creek bed which is located near Longreach, Queensland. It all appears at first glance, to be a lifeless and parched belly of a creek bed that would only support animal life when the waterhole has filled.

Think again.

This creek bed is currently home to a myriad of animals, and one of the most amazing creatures that can be found here comes in the form of a frog. In the deep, dark underground many frogs cocoon themselves into small burrows, and hibernate until rain falls. Once rain has fallen, they come out and make their fabulous croaking noises and quickly find themselves a mate. The tadpoles then quickly grow into frogs, and hopefully another cycle of breeding is completed before the temporary pool of water dries up, and the frog recedes back into the deep, dark underground again.

The hard luck story for these plucky survivors of the semi-arid zones is that they may become part of the food chain, as they are snapped up by plethora of other animals that are quickly drawn to this aquatic environment. The waterbirds that assemble can be a breathtaking sight to behold, and they too feed abundantly when waterholes and creeks are full.

All is not what it seems, and it behoves one to carefully consider the secrets of a dried waterhole or creek bed!

Storm Rain is Great Rain

Storm Rain is Great Rain

In recent weeks, there have been isolated thunderstorms in the Western Queensland region. These storms may range from a few disappointing drops that speckle the dust with mini craters, through to deluges with serious amounts of water which falls to the ground. It is not often that the storm rains which precede the wet season are widespread, or provide any long term steady rain. However, these storms may contain damaging hail, loud thunder, brillant lightning shows and strong, gusting winds.

The photos above are of the Barcoo River at Retreat, near Jundah and show the River in June 2009, and last week after recent storms had deposited water in the area.

Thylungra Waterhole

Check out the top photo of the magnificent Thylungra Waterhole in the Cooper's Creek catchment, between Quilpie and Windorah. This photo was taken on the 24th June. The Western Rivers Carer stopped by the waterhole on the 10th November, 2009 and took a photo from the same spot.

Our spectacular channel country waterholes rely on our monsoonal troughs to come through each year, to provide us with summer rain. The Australian monsoon season typically starts in late December, and ends in March, and it is known as the 'wet season' in Northern Australia. The strength of the monsoons can vary from year to year..............and it is this variable that determines the boom and bust cycles of the Channel Country rivers, and associated waterholes.

Here in Western Queensland, we greet the arrival of the equatorial trough that generates heavy rain with much enthusiasm. Could those full clouds in the second photo be an indicator of a great wet season for 2009/2010??? Thanks for stopping by to check out Thylungra Waterhole.

Surface Water and Artesian Water – Both Equally Vital!!

Surface Water and Artesian Water – Both Equally Vital!!

Have you ever travelled through rural Australia, and noted that the clear water flowing from the tap had unusual smell? Not an offensive smell, just a different odour? Have you ever indulged in an artesian spa, and experienced the relaxing effects of naturally warm water? The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) lies beneath 22% of our nation, and provides much of inland Australia with water for people, communities, plants and animals. The Great Artesian Basin recharges from rainwater, however the exact rates of recharge in relation to actual use by mankind can only be estimated. Given our variable and reduced rainfall in recent years, one can only speculate on the recharge impact on the GAB. And if one were to compare the GAB water supply of the past with the present, there is an alarming and noticeable decrease in water pressure and lowering of the water tables.

There have been recent attempts to ‘cap and pipe’ artesian water, which means the iconic image of bore water erupting out of the ground at the bore point, and flowing through drains across the countryside is becoming less of a sight in rural Australia. However, we need to expand this scheme to ensure all artesian water is utilised in a sustainable and sensible manner. There have also been recent attempts to auction GAB water. One has to ponder if this is a wise action, given the actual recharge of the GAB is still unproven?

If you would like to know more about this wonderful natural water resource, visit the Great Artesian Basin Protection Group website at www.gabpg.org.au

Magical Moments - A Favourite Sandhill Where Bearded Dragons and the Western Rivers Carer Can Be Found.

Magical Moments - A Favourite Sandhill Where Bearded Dragons and the Western Rivers Carer Can Be Found.

I have a place I love to go to alone or to share with others. It was many years ago that I discovered this sandhill, and I am fortunate to visit this favourite spot at least once each year. This sandhill is located west of Windorah (Queensland) and my favourite time to visit is just prior to sunset if you wish to have an authentic outback experience. Sit back, and I shall take you to this sandhill where Bearded Dragons and the Western Rivers Carer likes to congregate.

“Red sandhills emerge majestically from the stark countryside of south-west Queensland. Imagine climbing a sandhill prior to sunset and sitting and watching Mother Nature put on her dusk light show. To wiggle your toes in the smooth clean outback sand; to listen to the absolute silence that is only punctuated by a random bird call as they wing their way back to the desert shrub they call home; to sniff the clean, dry air; to take in the 360 degree vista of the sunset in front of you and the falling darkness behind you is one of life’s most magical moments – and one that makes Outback Queensland a special place to Bearded Dragons and Western Rivers Carers”.

Bearded Dragons are commonly found in Western Queensland, and many old timers say that when you see a bearded dragon walking along with their heads and tails raised, this could be an indicator of rain. I liken this upward curved stance and body position to a smile – and as we all know, rain brings smiles to the faces of all who live and work on the land. In the last few days, there have been some wonderful falls of rain in isolated patches. May those proud bearded dragons keep smiling and walking with a curved up tail and head!!

To do before you die – Climb a Western Queensland sand hill…………..barefoot!!

To do before you die – Climb a Western Queensland sand hill…………barefoot!!

Did you know sand dunes cover 40% of the Australian continent?

The Western Rivers region surrounding the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers and Cooper’s Creek is a vast landscape that has a sporadic distribution of sand dunes throughout the entire area. So how is it that these dunes are here?

In 2009, the dunes we can see are actually isolated areas of sand which emerge from the floodplains – which are a clay rich black soil / mud dominated environment ranging from 2 – 9 metres deep. This means that the floodplain area has buried sand channels at its base which can be up to 50 metres deep under the ground, and the only visible bits are the tops of the dunes, which we can see and label sand hills. The tops of these dunes often act as a barrier that confines the overbank river and creek flows to certain area – which means that the flood water is contained to certain areas closer to waterholes.

You know that list we all have mentally compiled of 100 things to do before you die? Does your personal list include climbing a Western Queensland sand hill?

Lake Eyre Basin – Liveable, Ephemeral and Biodiverse!

Lake Eyre Basin – Liveable, Ephemeral and Biodiverse!

Close your eyes and image and imagine a unique part of Australia that covers one-sixth of the driest continent on earth and has an abundance of plant and animal life in a natural arid and semi-arid environment that is home to a Yacht Club; premium organic beef breeding properties; large pelican colonies; ancient and rare Waddi trees and an aerial view of an abstract artists canvas of braids and criss-crossy lines that are waterways. Now think of the terms ‘boom and bust’ in relation to rivers and wetlands and drop these into the image you have generated – and title this image with the name “Lake Eyre Basin”.

The Western Rivers Carer was recently priveleged to be in Alice Springs to attend the Lake Eyre Community Advisory Committee and the Scientific Advisory Group meetings where all things that matter to the Lake Eyre Basin were discussed.

The Lake Eyre Basin is one of the largest internally draining river systems in the world, and covers nearly one-sixth of Australia, including areas of South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and a small portion of New South Wales. Lake Eyre (a great salt lake) is the terminal point of the drainage system, and the three major river systems that drain into the Lake are the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers and Cooper’s Creek. The Lake Eyre catchment is one of the last unregulated dryland river systems worldwide and is located in arid and semi-arid parts of the driest inhabited content. All tributaries to Lake Eyre are ephemeral in nature, meaning that run off is reduced to one flood or a series of floods in a short period, and there are very long periods when the beds of the rivers are dry.

The rivers and catchments in the Lake Eyre Basin are generally in good condition, and contain intact aquatic ecosystems. These critical aquatic habitats are home for many species and in particular, migratory waterbirds. The permanent water holes are critical refuges for aquatic plants and animals. The rivers fluctuate dramatically between consisting of highly fragmented disconnected water holes and well connected systems encompassing enormous tracts of inundated floodplain. Most of the Lake Eyre Basin overlies the Great Artesian (groundwater) Basin.

Almost all of the non-desert parts of the Lake Eyre Basin are used for low intensity livestock grazing, predominantly beef cattle and sheep. These industries are viewed as having low impacts on the land and diversity. Indigenous communities have maintained their traditional links with the land, and important cultural sites have been protected and preserved. The key threats to the area include introduced pest plants and feral animals and their impacts on waterholes; intensified surface water extraction as a result of development and the impact of climate change.
For more information on the Lake Eyre Basin, please visit www.lakeeyrebasin.org.au.

Western Rivers Carer Mixes it with the Landcare Larrikins and Legends

Western Rivers Carer Mixes It With the Landcare Larrikins and Legends

Last week, the Queensland State Landcare Conference was held in Longreach. What a wonderful three days of discussion, workshops, networking and sharing! The topics covered during the conference ranged from caring for our soils (cracked soil is so desirable); improving grasses and pastures (kiss my grass); the value of adding Charcoal-Carbon to our enhance our soil (nature helping nature, it’s only natural); how rural Australia is perceived (think totally forgotten about, as evidenced by a Qld Tourism advertisement) and how our traditional owners are undertaking some cutting edge landcare and sustainability initiatives throughout the state (fabulous stuff happening in all areas by many giving people).

It was also pleasing to note that Minister Robertson (Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Minster for Trade) announced that the draft Cooper’s Creek water resource plan and any future proposal to declare a Wild River over Cooper’s Creek will be released together, in order to ensure that both protective water /river management documents are consistent with each other. Consultation will occur simultaneously, so stakeholder feedback can be sought in relation to both documents, and all the information will be available together. By coupling these together, it will also communicate strongly to other states what Queensland’s unique vision is for this magnificent part of the Lake Eyre Basin.

Loving the Namatjira Look!

Loving the Namatjira Look!

Isn't this an iconic Central Australian scene - made famous by an Aboriginal Artist called Albert Namatjira (1902 - 1959) who painted in an European style? White gum trees and the rugged, raw landscape featured in his numerous paintings. The Western Rivers Carer was reminded of his magnificent works on a recent trip to Alice Springs, when she saw this tree (and many others) whilst exploring the Todd River.

Alice Springs played host last week to 30 amazing people who have an interest in a very special part of Australia that is known as the Lake Eyre Basin (LEB). This is one of the largest internally draining river systems in the world, and covers one sixth of Australia's land mass. The Lake Eyre Basin group and committee consist of a variety of traditional owners, government representatives, scientists, conservationists, community members and business people who are passionate about ensuring this basin is managed in such a way that it can be enjoyed by future generations of people, plant and animal communities.

The Western Rivers Carer was delighted to represent the Australian Floodplain Association and share with the LEB group and committee details of proposed river protection planned for the Queensland catchments of the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers and Cooper's Creek in the LEB.

Soil of the Cooper's Creek Floodplains

Soil of Cooper’s Creek Floodplain Area

Have you ever wondered what the channel country floodplain soils are made from?


Heavily cracked clays dominate the present Cooper floodplain. These clay dominant soils exhibit shrinkage in dry weather, and we observe this as cracks. However, after rainfall or flooding, the swelling of the surface clays closes the cracks and forms a highly effective moisture seal that prevents further floodplain infiltration.

Cooper’s Creek (and the Diamantina and Georgina Rivers) predominantly transport a clay-rich mud load made up of 4–20% sand; 25–60% silt and 35–65% clay. This mud is commonly sand sized pellets but also contains a high suspended sediment concentration. The dust storms which have descended upon Eastern Australia in recent days are this very sediment being transported by air across our vast countryside. The Western Rivers Carer experienced the first dust storm on the ground, however was fortunate to be in a plane flying to Alice Springs and happened to fly over and above the second dust storm. And for all those people cleaning up after the dust storms and wondering what advantages there might be…………….think seafood! Much of this dust will drop into the Pacific Ocean and add rich nutrients to the water…………..which shall result in tasty and abundant food sources for our marine animals.

Grazing does not impact adversely on the heavy, cracking, self mulching clays of the floodplain. Cooper’s Creek country after flooding produces superb natural cattle fattening pastures……. can you just taste that organic beef direct from the Channel Country?

Cawnpore Lookout

Cawnpore Lookout

Check out this amazingly dramatic landscape? It almost makes you want to reach for the tubes of paint and the canvas, and to reproduce these amazing colours that Mother Nature has thrown together? Or did she throw these together? How did we come to have countryside so spectacular??

This is a picture of Cawnpore Lookout, near Middleton, which is between Boulia and Winton. 95 – 98 million years ago, this area was covered by an inland sea, known as the Eromanga Sea. However, about 95 million years ago, the sediment that was carried to this huge sea by massive inland rivers eventually contracted and reduced the size of the inland sea so that it no longer existed. This landscape which you can see is the sediment that was left behind by the Eromanga Sea.

Interestingly, my mind thinks about the many millions of tonnes of dust whipped up by the dust storm that has blanketed the East Coast of Australia in recent days. This dust is dry sediment from the spectacular floods that inundated the Lake Eyre Basin earlier this year, which is being carried by the winds across the countryside and out to sea – to become part of the ocean. Are their any parallels between what was happening 95 million years ago, and this week?

I invite you to take a look at this Cawnpore Lookout scene, and visualise it as an inland sea. Better still, why not plan a driving holiday, and come out and personally experience the 360 degree vista that Cawnpore provides you with? The Western Rivers Carer truly feels immensely humble when she climbs to the top of a mesa, and imagines the landscape of 95 million years ago.

The Western Rivers Carer Loves this Quote!

The Western Rivers Carer Loves This Quote.

Doesn’t this quote capture the essence of the Western Rivers Country in Western Queensland?


“At the simplest level, water is valued for its uses: watering stock, drinking,
washing, fishing, to cool down in summer. Even at this level, something more than
utility is elucidated: 'to cool down in summer' is about a state of mind as well as body
temperature; 'fishing' is a pastime and social occasion as well as provider of food.

I quickly came to learn that water isn't just water. River water, rain water, bore
Water all have different values, and at a more subtle level, in-channel flow and
overland flow; soaking rain, light steady rain and follow-up rain; Mungerannie bore
water and South Galway bore water, all have different values”. (Leah Gibbs)

What is a Western Rivers Carer?

What is a Western Rivers Carer?



I have a job title and a position description that is a little unique. My official title is WESTERN RIVERS CARER, and I am employed by the Australian Floodplain Association.

So where does one go and what does one do when one is wearing this badge? A Western Rivers Carer has a delightful time travelling in the rural and remote parts of Western Queensland, and working with communities, organizations and individuals who reside in the catchments of the Georgina and Diamantina Rivers and Cooper’s Creek. My key task is to ensure that the voices of local people who are dependent on the rivers for floodplain tourism, pastures, recreation and livelihoods have a voice in how these magnificent waterways are managed, and more importantly, protected from large scale water exploitation or other manmade threats.

As I travel, I will be posting regular blogs to outline my adventures. I commenced working 2.5 days/week in this position in May 2009, and already have collected an abundance of images, thoughts and information to share with you. I invite you to become a regular visitor to my blog if you have an interest in Outback Queensland and our unique natural environment and waterways which form part of the Lake Eyre Basin. There is so much to share about these wild western rivers which are some of the last unregulated water flows in the entire world that still flow free.

“The wild western rivers through the Channel Country flow
From drought to flood in sunshine the Lake Eyre Basin grows
When it rains up in the northland the western stockman knows
The wild western rivers flowing free”

Excerpt taken from a song titled “The Wild Western Rivers” by Dana Lyons, Mark Kleinschmidt and Bruce Honeywill.

National Bilby Day

Who Am I?

I am a native Australian animal that has a very long tongue, a long pointed snout, a long tail and big ears. I am mostly covered in silky soft blue-grey fur; however have a striking black tail with a pure white tip. I grow up to 55 cm long, and I dig burrows where I spend each day, and I come out a night to eat insects, seeds, bulbs and fruit.

I am a Bilby. I am found in Western Queensland, and I am an endangered animal. As a result of my disappearing habitat and competition with introduced animals, my numbers have dramatically reduced in the last century. Prior to European settlement, I could be found on over 70% of the Australian mainland; however there are only a few small populations of us surviving today. One such place is the Western Rivers areas between Boulia and Birdsville at Astrebla Downs. I am a masterful survivor and a proud resident of the Outback.

In tribute to this amazing animal which is a member of the Bandicoot family, the Western Rivers Carer has sketched this image of a Bilby. Aren’t Bilbies an amazingly special animal?

Do you know that this Sunday 13th September is National Bilby Day?

Re-igniting the Passion

The Western Rivers Carer has recently added creating digital place stories to her skill repertoire. One of my very favourite things to do is to watch the sun disappear below the horizon from the top of a sandhill. These images were taken near Windorah. Why not check out my clip and enjoy the magical moment that Mother Nature provides at the end of each day?

Ships of the Desert

When I was in my middle Primary school years, I can remember learning that camels were the ‘ships of the desert’, and immense respect was accorded to these beasts and their remarkable survival skills. In recent years, Camel Racing has been a feature of many Outback (and not so Outback) communities who host an annual event, and the sight of camels with their eccentric natures and quirky antics as they attempt to race around the track is a source of great amusement for spectators – and maybe the jockey!

Camels are a reasonably familiar sight in parts of far Western Queensland, and I recently saw this camel on the side of the road between Middleton and Winton. In fact, many hundreds of thousands of camels roam the outback of Australia. Camels were first bought to Australian in the 1840’s to assist with transport in remote areas. Well, those explorers were pretty keen to get out and investigate what lay in our great land beyond the coast!

In 2009, we have a rapidly growing camel population that is plodding over the Outback countryside, breaking through fences, trashing installed watering points, disturbing sacred Indigenous sites; destroying fragile desert plant communities and eating scarce pastures that are valued by graziers. Camels do not have a large fan club in rural Australia.

Last month, Mr Rudd proposed spending $19 million on a mass camel culling program, which certainly drew a range of supportive and non supportive responses nationally and internationally. CNBC in the USA even called Mr Rudd a ‘serial killer’. However, the fact remains that these ‘ships of the desert’ are growing in numbers and doing untold damage to our fragile arid and semi-arid countryside.

Does the solution to this problem lie in us all indulging in a camel sausage at our summer BBQ; a camel pie at the footy in winter and enjoying a medium-rare camel steak with a whiskey and mushroom sauce at our favourite CBD restaurant? Or do the logistics of supplying a camel meat product from such a large animal that is found in extremely remote areas mean we will never really indulge in camel meat? One way or another, a solution must be found to curb our growing camel numbers, and reduce the impact that they are having on our truly unique arid and desert plant and animal communities.

Spring – Western Queensland Style


Forget the usual spring flowers of sweet peas, jasmine, azaleas and camellias. Here in Western Queensland, we have our own special spring flowers that appear. This year we have had unseasonally warm weather in August, and the magnificent outback wildflowers have popped their happy faces up already. And how spectacular it all is at the moment………as far as the eye can see! Don’t you just love this image taken between Quilpie and Windorah?

There is one stark reminder in this photo of the many years of drought. Can you guess what it is?

Notice how the Mulga trees are all lacking foliage? Did they die in the drought?

It is too early to answer this yet, as these native trees are have adapted superbly to our arid country side. During dry periods, the Mulga tree drops most of its foliage to the ground in order to provide an extra layer of mulch and nutrients. How wonderful is that?

However, closer examination of these trees shows that there are no leaves left, so chances are the drought of the 2000’s has been a little too harsh and too long for these trees. This area where this photo was taken is still declared an exceptional circumstances area. The survival story of these trees will be revealed in the fullness of time and the return to good seasons. Will the foliage return?

I trust you are enjoying your Spring days, wherever you may be!

What is a Western Rivers Carer?

So what exactly is a Western Rivers Carer?

Welcome to a brand new blog, and more information will be revealed soon. However, here is a little visual hint as to where a Western Rivers Carer might be found.

Thanks for popping by, and I will be sharing more information shortly.