Continuing on from our trips to Queensland in 2013 and 2016, our next town is Blackall.
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| Sculpture in Blackall - Roly Poly |
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| Eagles nest sculpture in Blackall |
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| Eagles nest sculpture around Blackall |
The Eagles Nest sculpture is really great, it is made of old railway spikes, and timber and bolts and other bits from around the local area and some apparently from an ol bridge. It is quite large and is one of quite a few fun and interesting sculptures scattered around the town.
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| Jackie Howe statue |
Another lovely bronze statue is this one of Jackie Howe with a stud ram and stands in the main street. Jackie Howe was a champion shearer and in 1892 set the record for hand shearing 321 sheep in 7 hrs 40 minutes.
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| Beyond the Black Stump |
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| The Plaque on the Black Stump |
This is a well known saying here in Australia "Beyond the Black Stump".
This phrase comes from the custom of using a fire-blackened stump of wood as a marker when giving directions to travellers.
In more recent times it is just a phrase that we use to describe anywhere in the outback.
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| The Barcoo Hotel in Blackall |
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| Another Major Mitchell plaque just out of Blackall |
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| The inscriptioon on the Major Mitchell plaque |
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| Dry countryside around Blackall |
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| Blackall welcome sign |
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| The Information Centre |
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| Our caravan at Blackall |
Blackall Wool Scour
The Blackall Wool Scour operated from 1908 to 1978. The wool scour is a wool washing plant operated by steam and is the only one left in Australia. The wool scour is now a tourist attraction and is open from May to August as a working wool washing plant running on steam from water in the nearby artesian bore.
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| Blackall Wool Scour - artesian bore |
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| The 20 stand shearing shed |
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| A lovely old Queenslander |
Love those sculptures.
ReplyDeleteThe eagle one is quite similar to Nest which features at the Arboretum in Canberra.
The eagle nest sculpture was my favourite, will have to check out the Canberra one when we go there - another trip will have to be planned.
DeleteI love these sculptures, especially the ram. Amazing to think he sheared so many in such a short time.
ReplyDeleteYes, Jackie Howe was famous and must have been a very tough man to have sheared so many sheep.
DeleteOne bloody great photo after another, what an awesome place
ReplyDeleteWe enjoy looking around these outback towns as it is surprising how many interesting things there are to see.
DeleteGreat to catch-up on Blackall can remember a few things. Your photos are good and bring back nice memories.
ReplyDeleteThe photos are great to have and I enjoy sharing them.
ReplyDeleteReally cool installation art.
ReplyDeleteHappy Exploring, Rosie. :)