Whilst it may seem I have disappeared from the face of the earth, rest assure, I am alive and kicking, still larger than life, head-down and exercising…
And I have been preparing the troops, and yes, that would be Janet and TomO, for an upcoming adventure into the Australian Outback.
In about one week’s time we will be pointing ourselves westward towards the Flinders Ranges and the Birdsville Track.
In fact, this will be a sentimental journey, of sorts, for us as Brian, my father, longed to take a trip along the “Track” in the footsteps of Tom Kruse, The Outback Mailman.
Many may recall that Brian passed away last year and so as a tribute to him we are making the journey accompanied by my mother, Fay, the love of Dad’s life for near on 60 years! But he’ll be with us….for sure!
Our trip along the Birdsville Track will take us in the footsteps of the famous Australian Outback Mailman, Tom Kruse.
Tom delivered mail to the many cattle stations along the track in a “Blitz Truck” arriving at Birdsville, in far Western Queensland, before loading up for the return trip to Marree. His story is one of human endurance, courage, and perseverance. Despite facing considerable challenges each and every day out on the Track, Tom got the mail through, a lifeline to those who lived and worked in the area…
Before arriving in Birdsville, we will pass through one our most well-known outback towns, Broken Hill, and visit Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges.
Wilpena Pound is an ancient landscape over 800 million years old, a mountain range rising out of the landscape that has the appearance of being an old volcano. It is also home to the Adnyamathanha people.
After a couple of days resting in Birdsville following our trip up the “Track” we will head towards Innamincka, a small locality that is infamous for being the end of the ill-fated Burke and Wills Exploration.
Passing back down into New South Wales though Wari Gate, we will overnight in Tibooburra and visit the family hotel where the famous Australian artist Clifton Pugh, who once painted a mural on the hotel walls. In fact, he even owned it at one time.
A favourite place we like to visit is Trilby Station. Trilby is a working sheep and cattle property on the banks of the famous inland river, the Darling River, and as usual, we will camp by the Billabong. And whilst in the area we will take the time to revisit Toorale National Park to further our knowledge of Australia’s first people.
And as we make our way back to Sydney via Narromine, Orange, and Bathurst I’m sure there will be plenty of stories to recount from our couple of weeks “Out and About with – The Landy”.
As we tour I will put up some photographs of the Australian Outback, perhaps just to whet your appetite for a visit, Downunder!
So keep you eye out for those…
Xplore 
Your life is like a movie to me !
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Strewth…
Horror
Comedy
Drama
Looney tune
Crikey, or perhaps all of the above 😉
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That made me laugh out loud! I am taking a break from here. Hopefully when the dust settles I will be back, healthy and happy !
Be well you and yours ♥
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😉
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Reblogged this on Sunrise…Travel Talk with Maggi.
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My earliest travel memories (and some of my earliest of any type of memory) are of the Birdsville Track. Great to get another look at the thing, see how accurately I’ve remembered it.
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I hope we can convey it in a way that you will enjoy and that rekindles earlier memories! 🙂
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I’ve no doubt I’ll enjoy it. As for the earlier memories – we’re talking pretty early memories, so I think you’ll be mainly filling in blanks! But I’m hoping for a bit of rekindling.
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All the best for another fantastic adventure. I hope your Mum has a ball !! Just thinking of your Mum out there exploring with you gives me a Really Big smile. 🙂
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Thanks Liz!
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enjoy :} and thanks for taking me along with your blog :}
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Thanks BG…
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Sounds like a beautiful adventure. Safe travels Baz (and family)! Can’t wait to hear all about it and see it through your great photos.
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Thanks Nancy, there will be a lot of great landscapes to photograph!
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Have a great time! I’m reading a book by Bill Byron called “In a Sunburned Country” about Australia right now…very interesting!
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A great book…take a look at Kerry McGinnis, author of a number of great books including The Waddi Tree.
Kerry McGinnis was born in Adelaide and, at the age of twelve, took up a life of droving with her father and three siblings.
The family travelled extensively across the Northern Territory and Queensland before settling on a station in the Gulf Country.
Kerry has worked as a shepherd, droving hand, gardener, stock-camp and station cook, eventually running a property at Bowthorn, near Mount Isa.
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Thanks Baz! I just added it to my “to read” books on Goodreads. If you’re not a member, you should be. Great way to discover new books.
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Wicked Pics 🙂 Makes me want to get out there exploring everyday. Thanks
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I’ll drink a toast to that, that’s for sure… 🙂
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Sounds like it’s going to be a great trip.
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Wouldn’t be dead for quids… 😉
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Would you like to have been the mailman though?
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Yes, for sure…
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🙂
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Good to see you and those wonderful outback images again. Hope that trip is magic.
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Strewth, can’t wait to get some more!
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I still can’t get over the colors out there! Your trip is a beautiful way to honor your father.
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The colours are absolutely spectacular!
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hey there, old friend! nice to see you again. sounds like you guys have a fabulous trip planned!
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Two scoops please, and are you calling me “old” 😉
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as a wise old friend always says, what is age but the reality of your imagination. wait, that’s not right… what is age but the number of kangaroos that hop by plus the amount of push-ups you can do at crazy o’clock.. no… it’s how long it takes you to stand up straight in the morning.. no… i’ll get it, i’ll get it… it’s only a limitation in your head, and sometimes your body. dang! wait! i know i know.. it’s just how you choose to act, right, old friend? 😉
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Crikey – you’ve got it! How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were 😉
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that’s it!! 😉
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What a great trip, Baz! I would love to do that too. Tom Kruse was an amazing man who faced so many challenges as he took the mail through such difficult country.
A wonderful tribute trip to do, with your mum, in honour of your dad.
Look forward to seeing photos. 🙂
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Both remarkable men in their own way, my Dad and Tom!
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My dad too. 🙂
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Wonderful photos, and what a lovely way to honor your father’s memory. I look forward to reading more about your adventures. Safe journey!
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Thanks Naomi, we’re chomping at the bit to get out there again…
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