Silverton Part 2

TAMING THE WILD

Just out of Silverton we came across some wild Brumby. These beasts were grazing along the old rail line. We were quite surprised how inquisitive they were. This mare approached Matt with great care. There was a large black stallion in this herd. It was real good to see these as it was something that Dane had often spoken of prior to our departure; he wanted to see the desert & some wild brumbies: ” What a hoot !”

STURT DESERT PEAS

Prior to our arrival Central Australia had received its greatest rainfall in many, many years. Yeah, some of the tracks might have been washed out, but the other result is the almost immediate bloom of grasses & wildflowers. 

We met a local couple whom had decided to come up to this location to have a look at the peas. It was the first time in 16 years that they had seen them. They are a very distinct flower & were surprisingly delicate. As it was to turn out we only saw these flowers in one other location; the arid Red Centre.

 

Silverton Part 1

SILVERTON

Silverton is located approx 25kms north of Broken Hill. It is has been the location of several movies & ads. Probably the best known of these would be Mad Max.

 The boys are seen here on the original Mad Max Falcon

SILVERTON GAOL

In its heyday Silverton was a bustling mining town, caught in the grip of Gold Fever. At one point in the1800’s there were 20 pubs; today the second one built remains & tenders mainly to the wants of the tourist.

The original Gaol remains pretty much as original & has been converted to a museum; well worth a look.

FORDS RULE

The original Falcon 500

 

 

Broken Hill - The Living Desert

THE PROTECTOR

On the outskirts of Broken Hill is a place known as Monument Hill. In recent times some sculptors were commissioned to creat these monuments from local stone. Each has a story. 

 Dane is seen here at sunset with “The Protector”

RAINBOW SEREPENT

The Rainbow Serpent is revered by the Aboriginal people. Dreaming stories state that the Serpent created many things & that she is the protector or in some cases has appointed a protector to look over & protect these sites

 

Tilpa Station Part 4

TILPA HOTEL

If you get barred from this Pub you really are in trouble because if you’re thirst the next watering hole is ride in a Cessna. All the pubs in the country support the Royal Flying Doctor Service & all have their unique way of doing this.

At Tilpa you donate $2.00 & for that you write your name on the wall. They have already had to repaint the interior walls.

SHEEP RACES

As each sheep is shawn they are slid down a slippery dip into a temporary holding pen. This way the foreman can keep count for the individual shearer.

 

SEAFOOD FETISH

This friend absolutely loved the yabbies & would return several times throughout the evening for a feed. The whole area is rich in wildlife. This night we also had the privilege of viewing a family of Echidna moving along tracks that they must often frequent.

Tilpa Station Part 3

YABBIE FEAST

Kazza seen here with a typical Tilpa yabbie. Once Kaz got used to handling these creatures she really did have a bit offun; “can’t you tell”

SHEARING TIME

We were fortunate in that whilst we were at Tilpa they were shearing, something that the boys had previously seen only at the show. The shearers earn $2.50 per sheep & really do work up a sweat. They ply their trade, moving from station to station.

The country folk really are “fair dinkum” Aussies. They call it how it is, are honest & real friendly caring people; I enjoy spending time with them, having a chat & they always have time to explain things to the boys. 

The Shearing Shed

Tilpa Station Part 2

Darling River

YABBIE HUNT

Dano & Cobar local Pat collecting yabbies. On this occasion we collected about 15 kgs

Tilpa Moonrise

Tilpa Station Part 1

53 MILE RD.

All the locals call this road the 53 Mile Rd. It begins  5 miles west of Cobar. Once on this road we travelled just over  100kms to Tilpa Station. This journey is along a dirt track. Along the way we sighted many roos,  wallabies & hundreds of goats. The area is rich in  native pine & is resilient to termites etc; a lot of the structures on the station were constructed of this material.

DARLING RIVER

Tilpa Station is over 116,000 acres. They rare crossbred sheep that are sold mainly to foreign markets for theirmeat. The station is located along the Darling River. The banks are lined with river gums & when they die or fall into the river they provide shelters & breeding groundsto perch, cod & yabbies.

TILPA MOONRISE

The sunsets are really quite spectacular over Tilpa, but this moonrise was absolutely beautiful. 

 I urge you to get away & check out outback NSW; it is vast, serene & offers much more than you might at first consider.