November 22, 2024 • 39 mins
Discover the hidden gems of Outback Queensland as we guide you through some of the most captivating farmstays and artesian hot springs in the region. Ever wondered what life on a working merino sheep station is like? Experience the rustic charm of McBride's Boar and the Westbourne Shearing Shed, where the Great Artesian Basin provides an extraordinary natural bath. Grab your favourite beverage and feel the magic of soaking under a vast, starlit sky — an awe-inspiring moment you won't soon forget.
We continue our Great Artesian Bath journey to the serene beauty of Lara Wetlands, secluded within a 15,000-acre cattle station. This sanctuary creates the opportunity to do a s little or as much activity as you can pack in, from paddling a kayak in tranquil waters to spotting some of the 180+ bird species overhead. Whether you're visiting during the lively peak season or opting for a more relaxed retreat, Lara Wetlands promises an enriching connection with nature and a refreshing escape from the daily grind.
As our adventure continues, we explore the vibrant history and culture of Queensland's towns, including the iconic Barcaldine, the famous Tree of Knowledge and the lively annual festival that attracts thousands with horse races, country charm and colourful street parades. Whether you're planning your next travel escape or simply curious about the outback's wonders, we guarantee this episode will inspire your wanderlust to Outback Queensland.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 1 (00:46):
Welcome to Season 9, Episode 7 of the Family Travel
Australia podcast.
We are Paul, Katie and Jasperfrom the Feel Good Family.
Join us as we explore thisgreat country, Australia, its
people, places and culturescultures.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Yes, welcome to the Family Travel Podcast, where we
share the latest in RV industrynews road trip travel,
caravanning and camping, productreviews, where to go, what to
see, and so much more.
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Yes indeed, this week we camp at our favourite
Outback Farmstay and give theverdict on the best artesian hot
spring in Outback Queensland.
There's three to choose from.
It's pretty hard to choose.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Katie oh, look at ease.
And we love all of thesecampgrounds and we will go into
more detail on each of them inthis podcast.
But I mean, how do you decideout here?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
I think you have to take in all of it the
environment, the experience, thetemperature, whether Jasper's
splashing in the face.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Yes, that is a big consideration.
Do I have my own privatebathtub or do I have to share
something with somebody else?
Speaker 1 (02:07):
All right, so three to choose from.
Let's go down the list.
One we had visited before.
It is known as McBride's Boarand it is on Dumblain Station, a
40,000 acre predominantlymerino sheep station, and they
do run some cattle every now andthen as well.
(02:27):
Pretty well, you can stand inthe middle of this property and
walk to the fence line in anydirection is about 10 kilometers
, so that give you an idea ofhow large this station stay is
and throughout the five yearsstill our favourite all-time
outback artesian hot spring stay.
(02:50):
And so there's Dunblane Station,with two campsites they
actually have seven, but theseare the two that we were judging
from.
So there's McBride's Ball.
Then the second one isWestbourne Shearing Shed.
Okay, this is our new camp forthis episode.
And then the third place thatwe've driven past multiple times
(03:10):
, but we've always been out ofseason.
They have a very strict seasonfrom the start of May to the end
of September.
Never changes, that's it, andit was open.
That's Lara Wetlands.
So let's hear our thoughts onthat, but then we'll give you
our drumroll, please.
Verdict.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Perfect, All right, and we should say that we are in
Barkholden Now.
This is a great little town inOutback Queensland, steeped in
history and lots on offer herefor visitors, and we are heading
towards the East Coast.
If you've been listening to ourpodcasts, you'll know we've
(03:50):
been making our way.
Well, Jeepers, we've made ourway across the Plenty Highway
from the Northern Territory allthe way through Booyah, Booyah,
Winton, Opalton, Longreach, andnow here we are.
We found ourselves back inBarkie.
Absolutely love it here.
Now, Dunblane Station islocated about 10 kilometres just
(04:15):
west.
Thank you, Paul of BarkieTownship, so still really easy
access.
What I love about this propertyis that you can feel like you
are a million miles fromanywhere.
If you are somebody who wantsto set up camp and not see or
(04:36):
hear another person your entirestay, then this definitely is
the place for you.
It is a hip camp.
Farmer David is awesome.
We have stayed here many timesand what he's created, I think,
really is a perfect blend ofjust enough to make you feel
like oh yeah, this is all right.
(04:57):
This is a bit special, butstill rustic, still a farm
environment.
It is, as Paul mentioned, aworking sheep station, so
they're just going about theirday.
You know, and you have theprivilege of setting up camp on
this private property.
Let's talk about McBride's Boarfirst.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Yes, you know, you kind of just slot into their
day-to-day lifestyle and workand living environment.
So I have to say it really isrustic.
There's farm stuff just kind oflying around.
So if you're looking forsomething that's really polished
, this is not the place.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
In fact, if you're looking for something polished,
don't come to Outback Queensland, because you're not going to
find it.
But what you will find is true,authentic Aussie characters,
incredible experiences that willleave a mark on you for the
rest of your life.
Amazing locations that give youa real insight into how the
(05:55):
people out here live and workand what they're passionate
about, and how incredibleAustralia is as a country as
well.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Love that.
Okay, McBride's Boar.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Okay, we love this campground you kind of.
I remember the first time webooked into this hip camp Paul
and we were driving in and wewere like, oh my goodness, like
where are we going?
I mean, you turn off the mainroad there, that highway I think
it's.
Is it called the LansboroughHighway?
I think?
Speaker 1 (06:26):
it is.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
That you're driving on.
And look, let's face it, someof the highways out here in
Outback Queensland need a littlebit of love.
But you turn off the bitumenonto the dirt road.
You've got your directions thatget sent through the HipCamp
app.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
I love the directions app.
I love the directions.
Turn right at the big blackwater tower.
Head down the dirt track for afew clicks till you see an iron
gate.
Make sure that you leave thegate as you found it, as is the
number one rule in the Outbackyes, follow that along the water
drain for about another twoclicks You'll see a windmill,
(07:03):
yep, and then camp up anywherethere.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, and so we were pretty nervous about it.
When we first came in herequite a few years ago, we were
still fairly new and green, butlook, it is amazing to us.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
And David said and if you see a dingo, give me a call
.
I've got to get rid of thatUsed.
A couple of explainies.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Yeah, look, there are dingoes out here, and that is
good.
Tonight, if you are travellingas a family or with younger
children, you know you are outhere in the outback, and
particularly on a sheep station,you do need to be aware of the
roaming wildlife.
Okay, you pull in.
As we mentioned, there is abeautiful big windmill it is
(07:44):
attached to the bo borehead thatis pumping up water from the
Great Artesian Basin.
Now, before we go on, I justwant to say a couple of facts,
paulie, about the Great ArtesianBasin, because it is great and
mind-blowing groundwaterreservoirs spans over 1.7
million square kilometres acrossQueensland, new South Wales,
(08:09):
south Australia and the NorthernTerritory, wow, okay.
And when you pull up a map andI challenge you to Google and
pull up a map of the GreatArtesian Basin's footprint in
Australia and then I challengeyou to look at the catchment
area for this whole region, itis just incredible.
(08:33):
And here at McBride's Boar, aswe mentioned, this boar head is
coming up from underneath theground at about 100 degrees
Celsius.
So one of the first things thatFarmer David tells you to do
when you book this campsite isroll in.
You know, park up, now get out.
(08:53):
There.
There's this massive big yellow, what used to be like a feed, a
stock feed tub.
Fill it up with water, get itcranking.
It is so hot you are going toneed at least three or four
hours for that artesian water tocool down before you can even
(09:13):
think about soaking away yourworries in there.
So rock in in the afternoon,Get that bath running, set your
camp up, light the campfire andthen slip into that bathtub,
baby.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Grab a beverage and have the second one standing by
because you won't want to getout, and if you time it right to
watch that epic sunset acrossthese endless outback plains.
You know, you're reminded ofDorothy and McKellar's.
Yes, my country.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
I love a sunburnt country.
Yeah, it really is Like I don'tknow.
We say it time and time againwhen we're out here in these
parts, and particularly out hereon this station, dumblain this
is Australia.
I mean this visit we stayed atthe Westbourne Shearing Shed,
which is another campgroundlocated on the station.
There are seven to choose fromand we saw so much wildlife from
(10:13):
the bathtub.
Now, westbourne Shearing Shed,it's located about four
kilometres from the McBride'sBoar Campground.
It is just a short turn off theLandsborough Highway, so,
whilst you are much closer tothat main road, it's not at all
busy, particularly when youdon't want it to be, which is
overnight.
(10:34):
We saw a couple of road trainscome through again while we were
soaking in the bulbs, but youare camped right up at the
working shearing shed and I'vereally loved this experience.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
How about you, paul.
Look, when I first rolled in,my first impression was yeah
right, it's just a shearing shedwith just junk lying around.
And then you set up camp andyou get those baths cranking
again.
The water here is certainlynowhere near as hot Like it'd be
(11:07):
half the temperature ofMcBride's Ball.
So you've got a lot less timeto have to wait.
Like you know, you literallycould wait 20 minutes and you'd
be able to hop in and then soak,but you can constantly top it
up with hot water.
And that there were three bathswas fantastic.
(11:28):
Two of them had their own taps,and then I was able to put a
plug in the third bath, sothey're like those old ceramic
four-claw baths.
Yeah, so that gives you apicture.
And the third bath was maybe afew meters from the other two
that were side by side.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
So for us, yeah, it's perfect for our family of three
.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
So I just used a bucket to fill up Jasper's and
then he just got all the toysand he could splash and do
whatever he wanted, whatever hewanted, and Kate and I had this
little sort of wooden shelfbetween us like an old fence
paling that had a bottle of wine.
There was a roaring fire infront of us.
(12:14):
Not that we needed a fire, butgeez, doesn't it just set that
tone, adds to the ambience.
Oh definitely Gives that feel.
And then we had our cheese andfruit platter and some bickies
and dip and you know the wine.
I just, I loved this.
I did not want to move.
In fact, we did stay a secondnight.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
And another beautiful Tim Adams wine with us, so that
was fortunate.
It was an absolute spoil.
It was rinse and repeat.
Honestly, you could do that allweek.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Yeah, look, and again , we loved it.
And you know to really paintthat picture.
Well, actually, do you knowwhat?
Jump on over to our YouTubechannel and check out the video,
because it is awesome.
But to paint the picture, asPaul mentioned, there's nothing
fancy about this.
It is rustic.
You are sitting in a bathtubthat is out, exposed to the
elements, you're outside, you'reunder, you know the billions of
(13:08):
stars out here in these hugeoutback skies.
From our bathtubs we saw stars,emu, we saw kangaroo, we saw
the sheep meandering through thepaddocks.
We were watching hundreds ofgalahs flying overhead.
I mean, it really is that tasteof australia.
(13:31):
And then, of course, when youlook behind you, you've got your
van parked up.
There's this massive shearingshed.
There's like they've just shornall the sheep, so there's just
massive bags stuffed full of themerino wool that they have on
the farm here.
I mean, it doesn't get any moreAussie than this.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Exactly, and the difference between Westbourne
shearing shed and McBride's boreis that you can have power and
water access here at Westbourne.
So I think was it $40?
.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Yeah, I think it's $40 a night for any of these
campsites on David's propertyand that is through the Hip Camp
app.
So you're best to look upDunblane Station in Barkholden
and we'll put a link through toDunblane and the Hip Camp
booking page in the showdescription for you as well.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Look, as I mentioned, there's now seven different
sites across the 40,000 acreproperty.
Only a couple of them, maybethree, have access to the hot
artesian bore water.
So yeah, I think if you'regoing to stay here, then choose
(14:53):
one of those, but there isplenty to choose from.
But what's happened in thatlast few years since we first
covered this?
It is booked out quiteregularly.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
I know it's so funny that seems to happen to us quite
a lot, particularly with theHip Camp bookings as well when
you share how amazing somewhereis and we just love that.
We just think how incredible,and particularly for people out
here like Farmer David who areworking the landmer David, you
know who are working the land,and just you know it's hard work
, it's long work.
We were sitting in the bathtubsone night and it was dark.
(15:27):
It must have been about eighto'clock and Farmer David and his
fellow workers are stillworking.
They're dropping sheep off intothe yards there at the shearing
shed, you know like they don'tget to clock on and off like us
East Coasters do at you knownine to five.
That doesn't exist out here inthe outback.
(15:50):
You know they do what they needto do.
So I love that we can sharethese amazing places with all of
you.
And then you know you go andyou book these places and you
have these experiences as well,and all of you.
And then you know you go andyou book these places and you
have these experiences as well,and all of that in turn goes
back to supporting the peopleout here.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
I love it.
It's an attitude of get it done.
Oh yeah, needs more of that inAustralian, doesn't it?
Speaker 2 (16:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
A few people that you could just give a little clip
on the ear and say, come on,just get it done.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah, a few people that you could just give a
little clip on the ear and say,come on, just get it done.
Anyway, we are digressing alittle bit from our campsites,
but these two sites here atDunblane are awesome and well
worth a look.
Now, the third campground thatwe stayed at during our time
here in Buckholden is somewherethat we have driven past
numerous times.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Yes, Larrab Wetlands, Now it is a 40-kilometre radius
between these three.
That gives you an idea of, youknow, booking ahead, making sure
that you experience all three.
That would be ourrecommendation.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Yeah, absolutely.
And even if you were, you know,fairly limited on time, and
even if you were, you know,fairly limited on time, I think
you could still stay at each ofthese campsites.
You know, even if you only hadthe long weekend, you could come
and do a night at each, becausethey are in close enough
proximity.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Yeah, exactly Katie.
Like a perfect world, we'd picktwo nights at each and maybe
three nights at Lara Wetlands.
Look, it's certainly, it'sthird on our list.
We decided as far as ourfavourite, as you know, related
specifically to the hot spring.
(17:31):
Okay, so it's third on the list, but as far as a campground
that offers a hell of a lot anda stunning environment like
really pretty and if you're abird watcher, you know you're a
bit of a twitcher, as they'reknown this would be your number
one.
But you could have three nightsat Lara Wetlands and maybe two
(17:52):
nights each at the other two.
I think that would be perfect.
Come out here for a week Now.
Lara Wetlands.
No bookings available.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
No, so just rock on in.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
Yes and no.
Fpos Cash only yes.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Yes, and they are located on the other side of
Barcaldon Township, on the roadheading south.
You can't miss it.
There's this massive sign up onthe side of the road you can
turn off.
It's probably how far in Paul,about 10km in on their dirt
(18:31):
access road, which was reallywell maintained.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Yes, it is.
I think you'd have aninteresting time if there'd been
a lot of rain.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
I don't know how you'd go.
You'd possibly be getting towedout by a tractor, but I think
from memory it's 14 kilometersfrom the bitumen to the actual
cattle station and then aboutanother kilometer around to the
campground around that beautifulbig wetland area.
The wetland area as you'relooking at it, the old, dead
(19:07):
ghost gums it's like.
This beautiful old growthforest that is now just the
remnants of these gums, is 800metres across and about 800
metres in length.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
It is pretty spectacular, this environment.
Now it's a 15,000-acre workingcattle station, as we mentioned,
but then to have this wetlandsanctuary, this natural feature
here on the property which ishome to hundreds of different
bird species, is very special.
And what's so cool is when yourock up you know there's a great
(19:43):
little reception area.
You can get all of yourinformation that you need about
the property.
You know, if you are a twitcher, then you can flip through the
bird guide, pick up your list ofyou know all of the different
species so that you can tickthem off.
And then you choose your ownsites so you can choose to park
up, reversing your van orvehicle into the wetlands.
(20:10):
They do have some other areasthat aren't waterfront if you
prefer to be closer to some ofthe other facilities and
activities that they have onoffer.
So you really do get to chooseyour own adventure.
And there is so much space thateven if you were coming in the
height of the season, youwouldn't be turned away.
(20:32):
In fact I'm sure I read thatwhen I was going through the
Wikicamps app and the reviews.
You know it says obviously nobookings, but they've got so
much space they've never turnedanybody away.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
I would think there'd be easily three to 350 vans a
night, in the height of theseason, and you would still have
room.
Yeah, you would still have room.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Yeah, now look, I will say we were there, I think
about five days before theseason ended, mm-hmm, right at
the very end of September, andit was lovely because there were
still people there.
But I don't know In total, Paul, how many vans would have been
(21:15):
there while we were there.
Not many 30?
.
Yeah, it was awesome.
I think being there in theheight of the season would be a
completely different experience,for better or for worse you
know They'd be the communitypart of it.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
They have a lot more activity on offer.
They have happy hours thatinclude free damper and billy
tea.
They have musicians, they havecook-ups, movie nights yes, so
the community aspect of it.
If you're really chasing moreof that, fantastic.
But for us we would prefergoing on the shoulder or trying
(21:51):
to pick a time when it's notbusy, because, yeah, being
packed would kind of, I feel,dampen the experience.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
What we loved about our time there, and in
particular it being that muchquieter, was the ability for us
to walk around.
They do have a heap of kayaksthat you can just go and use for
free, which is awesome.
So Paul and I jumped in adouble.
(22:26):
Jasper jumped in a littlesingle and it's pretty funny.
Actually Jasper's so light sohe just whizzed on straight out,
you know, out into the middle,no issues.
Paul and I are just a littlebit heavier and because it's
only a foot deep, Katie saysPaul and I.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
I know that she means we were bottoming out literally
under my bottom.
It was a little more weight.
I reckon I'm double your weight, katie.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
It's pretty funny and you know, underfoot of course,
is that really soft, sludgy claybed that you know lies
underneath the water of thewetlands.
You are able to, if you getstuck, obviously you're able to
put your feet out and getyourself free and moving again.
(23:10):
But that was really beautifulto be able to go for feet out
and get yourself free and movingagain.
But that was really beautifulto be able to go for a paddle
out there and look, in allhonesty, you could do that every
single day of your visit.
You could spend hours out thereon the water just watching the
bird life and really it's a veryrelaxing and very calming
environment and I think that'swhy I enjoyed so much it not
being so busy and full of people.
(23:32):
They also have a whole heap ofbicycles.
Now look, I don't know thestory.
I don't know whether these arebikes that have been left behind
or whether these are bikes thathave come from the local tip
shop or who knows where thesebikes have come from.
Some are in better conditionthan others come from.
(23:54):
Some are in better conditionthan others.
However, there would be 30easily, all there for guests to
use again for free.
So you can grab one of those.
Grab a helmet if it fits yourhead.
We couldn't find any that fitour heads, so maybe I don't know
.
Is that saying something, paul?
But anyway, we went for alittle cycle.
They've got a whole differentrange of walking and cycling
tracks through the property aswell, so you can go off and do
(24:16):
quite a few Ks.
They've got a very rusticoutdoor mini golf, which was
lots of fun, loads of laughs,try and conquer that.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Katie and Jasper, the competitiveness between these
two, I had to hold them apart.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
It was very fun Lots and lots of giggles, lots and
lots of balls flying off inevery direction.
They've got great playgroundset up for the kids which
adjoins the hot spring area.
Now the boar head here, Ibelieve, comes up at about 38
degrees, so again nowhere nearas hot as McBride's, and they've
(24:54):
kept this pool as natural aspossible while enabling access
for people to come.
Now there is only one hotspring pool here at Lara
Wetlands, so again in the heightof the season it would be very
busy.
I think You'd be gettingfriendly with your fellow
(25:14):
campers.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
I don't want to use the term human soup, but is that
okay to say that?
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Well, it's warm, so you know you are kind of in
there stewing away.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
I don't know, I don't think I'd enjoy that.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
We loved it because we went up quite early one
morning it was very cool in themorning, still even at that time
of year and we wandered up withour jumpers on and then hopped
in and we had the whole pool toourselves for at least 10
minutes before some othercampers saw us and went oh,
actually that's a good idea, weshould go and get in there while
(25:51):
it's quiet, so you'd have topick your times, you know, saw
us and went oh, actually that'sa good idea, we should go and
get in there while it's quiet.
So you'd have to pick yourtimes, I think.
But that is fantastic and youknow what is so stunning and
what really makes this place isthat wetlands environment and we
loved it.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
We watched this huge storm roll in and the clouds,
you know, just coming in thetime-lapse footage of that
moment is really beautifulbecause it captures, you know,
the activity as much as therolling clouds coming in and out
and the sun piercing through.
(26:25):
I was able to move the camerahalfway through and then get a
different vantage point, sothose two shots together was
really great.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
It is stunning.
Now, good to note $15.
Well, we visited at the end ofthe season in 2024.
Yes, $15 per adult per night.
From memory, Jasper was 12.
Kids are 12.
That's right, so you know ifyou've got a larger family or
you're travelling in a largergroup.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
If you've got eight kids, bring cash, bring lots of
it.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Definitely no power and no water.
You can fill your tanks here.
They do have various water fillpoints scattered throughout the
property that you can connectup to and fill your tank.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Yes, there's a dump point as well.
There's a funny dunny.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Yes, so it's quite quirky.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
I've just got to say on the funny dunny because
people are going hang on, what'sa funny dunny?
It's not a real dunny, but it'san old outback dunny that you
can walk into.
You can't do any number ones ortwos anymore, but you can sit
on there and there is probably10 pages of laminated jokes but
the best of Australian jokes andyou will have a good laugh
(27:39):
sitting on the funny dunny.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
There you go For our overseas listeners who don't
know what the word dunny is.
It's Australian slang, it'svery Aussie.
Just going out to the dunnydoll, it's the toilet.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
That is separate from the house.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Yes, very Aussie Just going out to the Dunnydale.
It's the toilet that isseparate from the house.
Yes, the outhouse.
Anyway, look, they have done agreat job here.
In all the quirks and crazinessof Lara Wetlands, we totally
understand why people have ravedto us about this place.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Yeah, definitely, Particularly that bird life and
sitting in your camp chairs yourStratus camp chairs, I should
say and enjoying thatenvironment and the bird life.
And the world slows down,doesn't it?
When you sit in your camp chair, you can have a fire, as long
(28:29):
as it's self-contained.
Unfortunately, while we werethere, there was a fire ban came
in effect literally the morningwe arrived and it lifted the
day we left.
So that was a bit of a bummer.
Yeah, but having your own firewould be great.
If you've got pets, yourfour-legged family members are
welcome, you know, well-behavedon a leash.
They always say that Is thereany other type of pet, can I?
(28:51):
And then there is a wonderfuloff-leash area where you can run
your dogs ragged, get thatenergy out, so we're always
impressed by that.
There's only ever a handful ofplaces that we've seen around
Australia that offer that aswell.
So well done.
And there's endless activitiesfor the kids and really great.
(29:12):
So when you look at, you know42 bucks for our little family
of three.
That included all of the gearand activities.
It's pretty good value.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
Yeah, look, we think so too.
And again, you know, supportingthe locals, supporting the
families, the farmers, it'sgreat out here.
Now drumroll, please.
I think we've probably alreadygiven our verdict away, but look
, I think are we split on this?
(29:43):
Paul, I think we both agreethat we love Dunblane Station.
We love what David has createdthere on his property.
Lane Station we love what Davidhas created there on his
property.
My personal favourite here isthe McBride's.
Boar Campground, the one withthe big yellow tub and where
you're really smack in themiddle of the property and you
can't see or hear anybody else.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
Yeah, certainly for Solitude being your main evening
partner, this would be theplace to go.
I pick Westbourne Shearing Shedand yes, it is closer to the
highway, if you could call itthat.
I mean, there's literally threevehicles possibly past you.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Yeah and two of them are probably David and his team.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
Yes, it's highly unlikely that you'd be disrupted
in your sleep.
But having the three baths,it's a different experience
because generally, you know,jasper is splashing around and
Katie doesn't.
Really we don't get a bath Likewe're in a caravan, yeah, you
know.
So I'll normally say, well,jasper, hang out with me, you
(30:51):
know, and we'll splash aroundover here.
I'm a break, yep.
So to be able to actually havethat minute, I love that.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Yeah, yeah, me too.
Something happens to me outhere on this property, and I
don't know whether it's theproperty or whether it's just
the region, but because we'recamping on the property, I
always associate it with that.
But from the very first timethat we visited, we just get in
and it's like every cell in mybody exhales.
(31:22):
It's this overwhelming feelingthat.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
I get, jasper, and I know you are so much nicer to us
.
Wow, it's cal Karma.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
Here we go.
You know, can we get through apodcast without?
No, I'm kidding, I am.
I love it.
There is something if you needa little bit of that in your
life, and I don't even know howto put it into words other than
to say, yeah, I feel like everycell in my body exhales and I,
just when I think about beingthere, I yearn for that It'd be
(31:54):
a great series actually aroundAustralia and we could call it
Exhale and literally we justtalk up the spots that you 100%
will have that moment, becauseisn't that lacking in a lot of
people's lives?
It is most certainly.
I tell you another place whereI had that exact same feeling.
(32:17):
Paul was out in the middle ofnowhere as we were traveling on
the Oodnadatta.
Yeah, out there in.
South Australia, where you knowagain, you're literally driving
on a dirt road and you might belucky to see another vehicle.
I had that same overwhelmingfeeling.
It's almost like all of thoseyears that you've been carrying
(32:38):
around all of this stuff in yourheart, in your head.
Just leave you.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
I think it's because the enormity of the environment
does overwhelm you to a pointwhere you realize you're
insignificant and so stopcarrying on let go yeah and just
enjoy this moment for what itis.
For me, a place like that isout there in Palm Valley, in the
(33:08):
West Macdonald Ranges.
Well, actually it's just pastthe West Macdonald Ranges.
Well, actually it's just pastthe West Macdonald Ranges If you
come from King's Canyon on thatAboriginal land that cut
through the Marini Loop andcoming out to yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
To Fink River National Park yeah.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (33:25):
Fink Gorge National Park.
I think it is.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
Incredible Same moment for me there.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Oh, spectacular.
Yeah, you know you're alive inthose moments and I think it is
Incredible.
Same moment for me there, oh,spectacular.
Yeah, you know you're alive inthose moments and I think you
nailed it, Paul.
You really.
It really.
It's like this massive slap inthe face without it being a slap
in the face, and you justrealize, actually, none of that
matters at all, no, Except thismoment right here, right now.
Speaker 1 (33:51):
No, we build up too much pressure on ourselves and
our situations and you know,worrying about other people's.
You know interactions or notwith us as well, like you, know
what we think and you know wejust I think we over-exaggerate
things, we complicate things toomuch in our heads quite often.
I certainly remember that inour working life prior to
(34:13):
travelling.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
So anyways, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (34:16):
Get out there, travel .
All right, let's talk aboutleaving the wetlands.
So there you go.
So Katie's number one wasMcBridesbourne.
Number two, westbourne,shearing Shed.
Number three, lara Wetlands.
And for me, just flip those toptwo.
And for me, just flip those toptwo.
So Westbourne Shearing Shedwith three barbs and the
shearing shed.
Good on you, mate.
Awesome, love it.
Thank you, david.
Okay, we're heading now back Ithink it's almost 40 k's back
(34:40):
into Barkie Buckholden speltB-A-R-C-A-L-D-I-N-E.
The first time we came throughhere, I think Kate pronounced it
Buckledeen and I pronounced itBuckledeen.
I can't remember.
Anyway, but we did getabsolutely smashed by comments
of people telling us Just callit Barkie guys, It'll be heaps
(35:02):
easier.
You guys don't know what you'redoing.
Yeah, so Barkie is how it shallnow be known.
Moving forward A really greatstory here, famous for the Tree
of Knowledge.
Now, the Tree of Knowledgereally came about back there in
1891.
There were 3,000 shearers thatwent on strike and really
(35:22):
Australia's economic successthey refer to as being built off
the back of the sheep.
Being built off the back of thesheep because the merino wool,
the finest grade wool in theworld, and the ability to be
able to grow economicallybecause of that, was huge for
Australia.
Back in the day, back in Morwayday, with 3,000 shearers there,
(35:44):
though, going on strike, thatwas pretty huge news.
They wanted better wages, theywanted better working conditions
, and quite a lot of them werearrested I think there was 12 or
13 actually arrested at thetime but it's really given birth
then to the Labour Party andalso iconic really for trade
(36:08):
unions and particularly theLabour Party.
And so there was this massivetree that's there called the
Tree of Knowledge, and it washeritage listed in 2006,
actually back on Australia Day,and very sadly and tragically,
it was poisoned in that sameyear, which you know.
It doesn't matter whichpolitical sway you have, we just
(36:31):
cannot comprehend this kind of,you know, idiotic behavior.
Who are these people?
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Yeah, craziness.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
You know, come on.
So anyway, they took this treedown to Brisbane to, I think,
like the Natural History Museumor somewhere down there, the
university, and they worked outthat they could still preserve
some of this tree.
So they did, and then they'vehad this architecturally
designed enclosure.
Speaker 2 (36:57):
It's incredible the design of what they have done
here now around this tree.
It's absolutely beautiful.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Look in our lives, katie, since we've known each
other, and even pre that.
There's always this little termthat comes up in the back of
our heads and it's worst thing,best thing.
In the midst of the worst thingthat could be happening in your
life, there seems to be a bestthing coming.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Yeah, it generally seems to be that way, doesn't it
?
Speaker 1 (37:26):
And for the tree of knowledge.
I don't think they could haveenvisaged anything more
spectacular and larger.
It's almost like they went allright, oh.
Speaker 2 (37:34):
Yeah, we'll show you.
Speaker 1 (37:35):
Yeah, here it is.
Here's the Tree of Knowledgenow, and it's quite impressive.
So, anyway, they do have afestival, now known as the Tree
of Knowledge Festival, on thelong weekend in May.
It's huge.
Tens of thousands of peopleabsolutely descend on this
little outback town of Barkieand there's horse races and
street parades Wow, and it's nota political thing.
(37:59):
So it is a celebration and wewould encourage you.
If you're going to come out andyou can get out here in May, we
certainly would love to comeout for that event.
It looks incredible.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
Fantastic.
Certainly would love to comeout for that event.
It looks incredible, fantastic.
So so much history out here inthis region and great people as
well.
And as far as the township goes, you know everything you need.
There's a fantastic IGAsupermarket, extremely well
stocked bakery, you knoweverything.
You need A couple of reallygreat pubs as well.
(38:30):
So you know, definitely wewould recommend come and stay
and play in Barkie.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Yeehaw.
Okay, now the takeaway for thisweek.
I love this, katie, you'regoing to like this.
A mind that is stretched by newexperiences can never go back
to its old dimensions.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
I love that.
I love that, and that isexactly what we were talking
about before, paul, when we weretalking about that overwhelming
feeling.
It does something to you, yeah.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
Alright, next week we continue our fossicking
adventures in Alpha and a returnto Rearview Vale.
For now we'll say dream big,look after yourself and look
after your family and happytrails.
This podcast is brought to you by our great
mates Stratus Outdoors, creatorsof the toughest and
eco-friendly outdoor equipmentdesigned to last a lifetime.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Oh, I love their camp gear, especially the all-day
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and they're made from recycledmaterials.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
So good, all right, their entire range is made for
Australia's environment and thebest part is that you are
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Speaker 2 (00:31):
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And to take advantage of your10% feel-good discount code with
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Speaker 1 (00:46):
Welcome to Season 9, Episode 7 of the Family Travel
Australia podcast.
We are Paul, Katie and Jasperfrom the Feel Good Family.
Join us as we explore thisgreat country, Australia, its
people, places and culturescultures.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Yes, welcome to the Family Travel Podcast, where we
share the latest in RV industrynews road trip travel,
caravanning and camping, productreviews, where to go, what to
see, and so much more.
Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
Yes indeed, this week we camp at our favourite
Outback Farmstay and give theverdict on the best artesian hot
spring in Outback Queensland.
There's three to choose from.
It's pretty hard to choose.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Katie oh, look at ease.
And we love all of thesecampgrounds and we will go into
more detail on each of them inthis podcast.
But I mean, how do you decideout here?
Speaker 1 (01:47):
I think you have to take in all of it the
environment, the experience, thetemperature, whether Jasper's
splashing in the face.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
Yes, that is a big consideration.
Do I have my own privatebathtub or do I have to share
something with somebody else?
Speaker 1 (02:07):
All right, so three to choose from.
Let's go down the list.
One we had visited before.
It is known as McBride's Boarand it is on Dumblain Station, a
40,000 acre predominantlymerino sheep station, and they
do run some cattle every now andthen as well.
(02:27):
Pretty well, you can stand inthe middle of this property and
walk to the fence line in anydirection is about 10 kilometers
, so that give you an idea ofhow large this station stay is
and throughout the five yearsstill our favourite all-time
outback artesian hot spring stay.
(02:50):
And so there's Dunblane Station,with two campsites they
actually have seven, but theseare the two that we were judging
from.
So there's McBride's Ball.
Then the second one isWestbourne Shearing Shed.
Okay, this is our new camp forthis episode.
And then the third place thatwe've driven past multiple times
(03:10):
, but we've always been out ofseason.
They have a very strict seasonfrom the start of May to the end
of September.
Never changes, that's it, andit was open.
That's Lara Wetlands.
So let's hear our thoughts onthat, but then we'll give you
our drumroll, please.
Verdict.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Perfect, All right, and we should say that we are in
Barkholden Now.
This is a great little town inOutback Queensland, steeped in
history and lots on offer herefor visitors, and we are heading
towards the East Coast.
If you've been listening to ourpodcasts, you'll know we've
(03:50):
been making our way.
Well, Jeepers, we've made ourway across the Plenty Highway
from the Northern Territory allthe way through Booyah, Booyah,
Winton, Opalton, Longreach, andnow here we are.
We found ourselves back inBarkie.
Absolutely love it here.
Now, Dunblane Station islocated about 10 kilometres just
(04:15):
west.
Thank you, Paul of BarkieTownship, so still really easy
access.
What I love about this propertyis that you can feel like you
are a million miles fromanywhere.
If you are somebody who wantsto set up camp and not see or
(04:36):
hear another person your entirestay, then this definitely is
the place for you.
It is a hip camp.
Farmer David is awesome.
We have stayed here many timesand what he's created, I think,
really is a perfect blend ofjust enough to make you feel
like oh yeah, this is all right.
(04:57):
This is a bit special, butstill rustic, still a farm
environment.
It is, as Paul mentioned, aworking sheep station, so
they're just going about theirday.
You know, and you have theprivilege of setting up camp on
this private property.
Let's talk about McBride's Boarfirst.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Yes, you know, you kind of just slot into their
day-to-day lifestyle and workand living environment.
So I have to say it really isrustic.
There's farm stuff just kind oflying around.
So if you're looking forsomething that's really polished
, this is not the place.
Speaker 2 (05:34):
In fact, if you're looking for something polished,
don't come to Outback Queensland, because you're not going to
find it.
But what you will find is true,authentic Aussie characters,
incredible experiences that willleave a mark on you for the
rest of your life.
Amazing locations that give youa real insight into how the
(05:55):
people out here live and workand what they're passionate
about, and how incredibleAustralia is as a country as
well.
Speaker 1 (06:04):
Love that.
Okay, McBride's Boar.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Okay, we love this campground you kind of.
I remember the first time webooked into this hip camp Paul
and we were driving in and wewere like, oh my goodness, like
where are we going?
I mean, you turn off the mainroad there, that highway I think
it's.
Is it called the LansboroughHighway?
I think?
Speaker 1 (06:26):
it is.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
That you're driving on.
And look, let's face it, someof the highways out here in
Outback Queensland need a littlebit of love.
But you turn off the bitumenonto the dirt road.
You've got your directions thatget sent through the HipCamp
app.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
I love the directions app.
I love the directions.
Turn right at the big blackwater tower.
Head down the dirt track for afew clicks till you see an iron
gate.
Make sure that you leave thegate as you found it, as is the
number one rule in the Outbackyes, follow that along the water
drain for about another twoclicks You'll see a windmill,
(07:03):
yep, and then camp up anywherethere.
Speaker 2 (07:06):
Yeah, and so we were pretty nervous about it.
When we first came in herequite a few years ago, we were
still fairly new and green, butlook, it is amazing to us.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
And David said and if you see a dingo, give me a call
.
I've got to get rid of thatUsed.
A couple of explainies.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Yeah, look, there are dingoes out here, and that is
good.
Tonight, if you are travellingas a family or with younger
children, you know you are outhere in the outback, and
particularly on a sheep station,you do need to be aware of the
roaming wildlife.
Okay, you pull in.
As we mentioned, there is abeautiful big windmill it is
(07:44):
attached to the bo borehead thatis pumping up water from the
Great Artesian Basin.
Now, before we go on, I justwant to say a couple of facts,
paulie, about the Great ArtesianBasin, because it is great and
mind-blowing groundwaterreservoirs spans over 1.7
million square kilometres acrossQueensland, new South Wales,
(08:09):
south Australia and the NorthernTerritory, wow, okay.
And when you pull up a map andI challenge you to Google and
pull up a map of the GreatArtesian Basin's footprint in
Australia and then I challengeyou to look at the catchment
area for this whole region, itis just incredible.
(08:33):
And here at McBride's Boar, aswe mentioned, this boar head is
coming up from underneath theground at about 100 degrees
Celsius.
So one of the first things thatFarmer David tells you to do
when you book this campsite isroll in.
You know, park up, now get out.
(08:53):
There.
There's this massive big yellow, what used to be like a feed, a
stock feed tub.
Fill it up with water, get itcranking.
It is so hot you are going toneed at least three or four
hours for that artesian water tocool down before you can even
(09:13):
think about soaking away yourworries in there.
So rock in in the afternoon,Get that bath running, set your
camp up, light the campfire andthen slip into that bathtub,
baby.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
Grab a beverage and have the second one standing by
because you won't want to getout, and if you time it right to
watch that epic sunset acrossthese endless outback plains.
You know, you're reminded ofDorothy and McKellar's.
Yes, my country.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
I love a sunburnt country.
Yeah, it really is Like I don'tknow.
We say it time and time againwhen we're out here in these
parts, and particularly out hereon this station, dumblain this
is Australia.
I mean this visit we stayed atthe Westbourne Shearing Shed,
which is another campgroundlocated on the station.
There are seven to choose fromand we saw so much wildlife from
(10:13):
the bathtub.
Now, westbourne Shearing Shed,it's located about four
kilometres from the McBride'sBoar Campground.
It is just a short turn off theLandsborough Highway, so,
whilst you are much closer tothat main road, it's not at all
busy, particularly when youdon't want it to be, which is
overnight.
(10:34):
We saw a couple of road trainscome through again while we were
soaking in the bulbs, but youare camped right up at the
working shearing shed and I'vereally loved this experience.
Speaker 1 (10:45):
How about you, paul.
Look, when I first rolled in,my first impression was yeah
right, it's just a shearing shedwith just junk lying around.
And then you set up camp andyou get those baths cranking
again.
The water here is certainlynowhere near as hot Like it'd be
(11:07):
half the temperature ofMcBride's Ball.
So you've got a lot less timeto have to wait.
Like you know, you literallycould wait 20 minutes and you'd
be able to hop in and then soak,but you can constantly top it
up with hot water.
And that there were three bathswas fantastic.
(11:28):
Two of them had their own taps,and then I was able to put a
plug in the third bath, sothey're like those old ceramic
four-claw baths.
Yeah, so that gives you apicture.
And the third bath was maybe afew meters from the other two
that were side by side.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
So for us, yeah, it's perfect for our family of three
.
Speaker 1 (11:52):
So I just used a bucket to fill up Jasper's and
then he just got all the toysand he could splash and do
whatever he wanted, whatever hewanted, and Kate and I had this
little sort of wooden shelfbetween us like an old fence
paling that had a bottle of wine.
There was a roaring fire infront of us.
(12:14):
Not that we needed a fire, butgeez, doesn't it just set that
tone, adds to the ambience.
Oh definitely Gives that feel.
And then we had our cheese andfruit platter and some bickies
and dip and you know the wine.
I just, I loved this.
I did not want to move.
In fact, we did stay a secondnight.
Speaker 2 (12:33):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (12:34):
And another beautiful Tim Adams wine with us, so that
was fortunate.
It was an absolute spoil.
It was rinse and repeat.
Honestly, you could do that allweek.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Yeah, look, and again , we loved it.
And you know to really paintthat picture.
Well, actually, do you knowwhat?
Jump on over to our YouTubechannel and check out the video,
because it is awesome.
But to paint the picture, asPaul mentioned, there's nothing
fancy about this.
It is rustic.
You are sitting in a bathtubthat is out, exposed to the
elements, you're outside, you'reunder, you know the billions of
(13:08):
stars out here in these hugeoutback skies.
From our bathtubs we saw stars,emu, we saw kangaroo, we saw
the sheep meandering through thepaddocks.
We were watching hundreds ofgalahs flying overhead.
I mean, it really is that tasteof australia.
(13:31):
And then, of course, when youlook behind you, you've got your
van parked up.
There's this massive shearingshed.
There's like they've just shornall the sheep, so there's just
massive bags stuffed full of themerino wool that they have on
the farm here.
I mean, it doesn't get any moreAussie than this.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Exactly, and the difference between Westbourne
shearing shed and McBride's boreis that you can have power and
water access here at Westbourne.
So I think was it $40?
.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Yeah, I think it's $40 a night for any of these
campsites on David's propertyand that is through the Hip Camp
app.
So you're best to look upDunblane Station in Barkholden
and we'll put a link through toDunblane and the Hip Camp
booking page in the showdescription for you as well.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
Look, as I mentioned, there's now seven different
sites across the 40,000 acreproperty.
Only a couple of them, maybethree, have access to the hot
artesian bore water.
So yeah, I think if you'regoing to stay here, then choose
(14:53):
one of those, but there isplenty to choose from.
But what's happened in thatlast few years since we first
covered this?
It is booked out quiteregularly.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
I know it's so funny that seems to happen to us quite
a lot, particularly with theHip Camp bookings as well when
you share how amazing somewhereis and we just love that.
We just think how incredible,and particularly for people out
here like Farmer David who areworking the landmer David, you
know who are working the land,and just you know it's hard work
, it's long work.
We were sitting in the bathtubsone night and it was dark.
(15:27):
It must have been about eighto'clock and Farmer David and his
fellow workers are stillworking.
They're dropping sheep off intothe yards there at the shearing
shed, you know like they don'tget to clock on and off like us
East Coasters do at you knownine to five.
That doesn't exist out here inthe outback.
(15:50):
You know they do what they needto do.
So I love that we can sharethese amazing places with all of
you.
And then you know you go andyou book these places and you
have these experiences as well,and all of you.
And then you know you go andyou book these places and you
have these experiences as well,and all of that in turn goes
back to supporting the peopleout here.
Speaker 1 (16:07):
I love it.
It's an attitude of get it done.
Oh yeah, needs more of that inAustralian, doesn't it?
Speaker 2 (16:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
A few people that you could just give a little clip
on the ear and say, come on,just get it done.
Speaker 2 (16:19):
Yeah, a few people that you could just give a
little clip on the ear and say,come on, just get it done.
Anyway, we are digressing alittle bit from our campsites,
but these two sites here atDunblane are awesome and well
worth a look.
Now, the third campground thatwe stayed at during our time
here in Buckholden is somewherethat we have driven past
numerous times.
Speaker 1 (16:36):
Yes, Larrab Wetlands, Now it is a 40-kilometre radius
between these three.
That gives you an idea of, youknow, booking ahead, making sure
that you experience all three.
That would be ourrecommendation.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Yeah, absolutely.
And even if you were, you know,fairly limited on time, and
even if you were, you know,fairly limited on time, I think
you could still stay at each ofthese campsites.
You know, even if you only hadthe long weekend, you could come
and do a night at each, becausethey are in close enough
proximity.
Speaker 1 (17:11):
Yeah, exactly Katie.
Like a perfect world, we'd picktwo nights at each and maybe
three nights at Lara Wetlands.
Look, it's certainly, it'sthird on our list.
We decided as far as ourfavourite, as you know, related
specifically to the hot spring.
(17:31):
Okay, so it's third on the list, but as far as a campground
that offers a hell of a lot anda stunning environment like
really pretty and if you're abird watcher, you know you're a
bit of a twitcher, as they'reknown this would be your number
one.
But you could have three nightsat Lara Wetlands and maybe two
(17:52):
nights each at the other two.
I think that would be perfect.
Come out here for a week Now.
Lara Wetlands.
No bookings available.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
No, so just rock on in.
Speaker 1 (18:05):
Yes and no.
Fpos Cash only yes.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
Yes, and they are located on the other side of
Barcaldon Township, on the roadheading south.
You can't miss it.
There's this massive sign up onthe side of the road you can
turn off.
It's probably how far in Paul,about 10km in on their dirt
(18:31):
access road, which was reallywell maintained.
Speaker 1 (18:34):
Yes, it is.
I think you'd have aninteresting time if there'd been
a lot of rain.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
I don't know how you'd go.
You'd possibly be getting towedout by a tractor, but I think
from memory it's 14 kilometersfrom the bitumen to the actual
cattle station and then aboutanother kilometer around to the
campground around that beautifulbig wetland area.
The wetland area as you'relooking at it, the old, dead
(19:07):
ghost gums it's like.
This beautiful old growthforest that is now just the
remnants of these gums, is 800metres across and about 800
metres in length.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
It is pretty spectacular, this environment.
Now it's a 15,000-acre workingcattle station, as we mentioned,
but then to have this wetlandsanctuary, this natural feature
here on the property which ishome to hundreds of different
bird species, is very special.
And what's so cool is when yourock up you know there's a great
(19:43):
little reception area.
You can get all of yourinformation that you need about
the property.
You know, if you are a twitcher, then you can flip through the
bird guide, pick up your list ofyou know all of the different
species so that you can tickthem off.
And then you choose your ownsites so you can choose to park
up, reversing your van orvehicle into the wetlands.
(20:10):
They do have some other areasthat aren't waterfront if you
prefer to be closer to some ofthe other facilities and
activities that they have onoffer.
So you really do get to chooseyour own adventure.
And there is so much space thateven if you were coming in the
height of the season, youwouldn't be turned away.
(20:32):
In fact I'm sure I read thatwhen I was going through the
Wikicamps app and the reviews.
You know it says obviously nobookings, but they've got so
much space they've never turnedanybody away.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
I would think there'd be easily three to 350 vans a
night, in the height of theseason, and you would still have
room.
Yeah, you would still have room.
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Yeah, now look, I will say we were there, I think
about five days before theseason ended, mm-hmm, right at
the very end of September, andit was lovely because there were
still people there.
But I don't know In total, Paul, how many vans would have been
(21:15):
there while we were there.
Not many 30?
.
Yeah, it was awesome.
I think being there in theheight of the season would be a
completely different experience,for better or for worse you
know They'd be the communitypart of it.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
They have a lot more activity on offer.
They have happy hours thatinclude free damper and billy
tea.
They have musicians, they havecook-ups, movie nights yes, so
the community aspect of it.
If you're really chasing moreof that, fantastic.
But for us we would prefergoing on the shoulder or trying
(21:51):
to pick a time when it's notbusy, because, yeah, being
packed would kind of, I feel,dampen the experience.
Speaker 2 (22:01):
What we loved about our time there, and in
particular it being that muchquieter, was the ability for us
to walk around.
They do have a heap of kayaksthat you can just go and use for
free, which is awesome.
So Paul and I jumped in adouble.
(22:26):
Jasper jumped in a littlesingle and it's pretty funny.
Actually Jasper's so light sohe just whizzed on straight out,
you know, out into the middle,no issues.
Paul and I are just a littlebit heavier and because it's
only a foot deep, Katie saysPaul and I.
Speaker 1 (22:41):
I know that she means we were bottoming out literally
under my bottom.
It was a little more weight.
I reckon I'm double your weight, katie.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
It's pretty funny and you know, underfoot of course,
is that really soft, sludgy claybed that you know lies
underneath the water of thewetlands.
You are able to, if you getstuck, obviously you're able to
put your feet out and getyourself free and moving again.
(23:10):
But that was really beautifulto be able to go for feet out
and get yourself free and movingagain.
But that was really beautifulto be able to go for a paddle
out there and look, in allhonesty, you could do that every
single day of your visit.
You could spend hours out thereon the water just watching the
bird life and really it's a veryrelaxing and very calming
environment and I think that'swhy I enjoyed so much it not
being so busy and full of people.
(23:32):
They also have a whole heap ofbicycles.
Now look, I don't know thestory.
I don't know whether these arebikes that have been left behind
or whether these are bikes thathave come from the local tip
shop or who knows where thesebikes have come from.
Some are in better conditionthan others come from.
(23:54):
Some are in better conditionthan others.
However, there would be 30easily, all there for guests to
use again for free.
So you can grab one of those.
Grab a helmet if it fits yourhead.
We couldn't find any that fitour heads, so maybe I don't know
.
Is that saying something, paul?
But anyway, we went for alittle cycle.
They've got a whole differentrange of walking and cycling
tracks through the property aswell, so you can go off and do
(24:16):
quite a few Ks.
They've got a very rusticoutdoor mini golf, which was
lots of fun, loads of laughs,try and conquer that.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Katie and Jasper, the competitiveness between these
two, I had to hold them apart.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
It was very fun Lots and lots of giggles, lots and
lots of balls flying off inevery direction.
They've got great playgroundset up for the kids which
adjoins the hot spring area.
Now the boar head here, Ibelieve, comes up at about 38
degrees, so again nowhere nearas hot as McBride's, and they've
(24:54):
kept this pool as natural aspossible while enabling access
for people to come.
Now there is only one hotspring pool here at Lara
Wetlands, so again in the heightof the season it would be very
busy.
I think You'd be gettingfriendly with your fellow
(25:14):
campers.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
I don't want to use the term human soup, but is that
okay to say that?
Speaker 2 (25:21):
Well, it's warm, so you know you are kind of in
there stewing away.
Speaker 1 (25:25):
I don't know, I don't think I'd enjoy that.
Speaker 2 (25:30):
We loved it because we went up quite early one
morning it was very cool in themorning, still even at that time
of year and we wandered up withour jumpers on and then hopped
in and we had the whole pool toourselves for at least 10
minutes before some othercampers saw us and went oh,
actually that's a good idea, weshould go and get in there while
(25:51):
it's quiet, so you'd have topick your times, you know, saw
us and went oh, actually that'sa good idea, we should go and
get in there while it's quiet.
So you'd have to pick yourtimes, I think.
But that is fantastic and youknow what is so stunning and
what really makes this place isthat wetlands environment and we
loved it.
Speaker 1 (26:05):
We watched this huge storm roll in and the clouds,
you know, just coming in thetime-lapse footage of that
moment is really beautifulbecause it captures, you know,
the activity as much as therolling clouds coming in and out
and the sun piercing through.
(26:25):
I was able to move the camerahalfway through and then get a
different vantage point, sothose two shots together was
really great.
Speaker 2 (26:34):
It is stunning.
Now, good to note $15.
Well, we visited at the end ofthe season in 2024.
Yes, $15 per adult per night.
From memory, Jasper was 12.
Kids are 12.
That's right, so you know ifyou've got a larger family or
you're travelling in a largergroup.
Speaker 1 (26:55):
If you've got eight kids, bring cash, bring lots of
it.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
Definitely no power and no water.
You can fill your tanks here.
They do have various water fillpoints scattered throughout the
property that you can connectup to and fill your tank.
Speaker 1 (27:09):
Yes, there's a dump point as well.
There's a funny dunny.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Yes, so it's quite quirky.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
I've just got to say on the funny dunny because
people are going hang on, what'sa funny dunny?
It's not a real dunny, but it'san old outback dunny that you
can walk into.
You can't do any number ones ortwos anymore, but you can sit
on there and there is probably10 pages of laminated jokes but
the best of Australian jokes andyou will have a good laugh
(27:39):
sitting on the funny dunny.
Speaker 2 (27:40):
There you go For our overseas listeners who don't
know what the word dunny is.
It's Australian slang, it'svery Aussie.
Just going out to the dunnydoll, it's the toilet.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
That is separate from the house.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Yes, very Aussie Just going out to the Dunnydale.
It's the toilet that isseparate from the house.
Yes, the outhouse.
Anyway, look, they have done agreat job here.
In all the quirks and crazinessof Lara Wetlands, we totally
understand why people have ravedto us about this place.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
Yeah, definitely, Particularly that bird life and
sitting in your camp chairs yourStratus camp chairs, I should
say and enjoying thatenvironment and the bird life.
And the world slows down,doesn't it?
When you sit in your camp chair, you can have a fire, as long
(28:29):
as it's self-contained.
Unfortunately, while we werethere, there was a fire ban came
in effect literally the morningwe arrived and it lifted the
day we left.
So that was a bit of a bummer.
Yeah, but having your own firewould be great.
If you've got pets, yourfour-legged family members are
welcome, you know, well-behavedon a leash.
They always say that Is thereany other type of pet, can I?
(28:51):
And then there is a wonderfuloff-leash area where you can run
your dogs ragged, get thatenergy out, so we're always
impressed by that.
There's only ever a handful ofplaces that we've seen around
Australia that offer that aswell.
So well done.
And there's endless activitiesfor the kids and really great.
(29:12):
So when you look at, you know42 bucks for our little family
of three.
That included all of the gearand activities.
It's pretty good value.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
Yeah, look, we think so too.
And again, you know, supportingthe locals, supporting the
families, the farmers, it'sgreat out here.
Now drumroll, please.
I think we've probably alreadygiven our verdict away, but look
, I think are we split on this?
(29:43):
Paul, I think we both agreethat we love Dunblane Station.
We love what David has createdthere on his property.
Lane Station we love what Davidhas created there on his
property.
My personal favourite here isthe McBride's.
Boar Campground, the one withthe big yellow tub and where
you're really smack in themiddle of the property and you
can't see or hear anybody else.
Speaker 1 (30:06):
Yeah, certainly for Solitude being your main evening
partner, this would be theplace to go.
I pick Westbourne Shearing Shedand yes, it is closer to the
highway, if you could call itthat.
I mean, there's literally threevehicles possibly past you.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Yeah and two of them are probably David and his team.
Speaker 1 (30:30):
Yes, it's highly unlikely that you'd be disrupted
in your sleep.
But having the three baths,it's a different experience
because generally, you know,jasper is splashing around and
Katie doesn't.
Really we don't get a bath Likewe're in a caravan, yeah, you
know.
So I'll normally say, well,jasper, hang out with me, you
(30:51):
know, and we'll splash aroundover here.
I'm a break, yep.
So to be able to actually havethat minute, I love that.
Speaker 2 (30:59):
Yeah, yeah, me too.
Something happens to me outhere on this property, and I
don't know whether it's theproperty or whether it's just
the region, but because we'recamping on the property, I
always associate it with that.
But from the very first timethat we visited, we just get in
and it's like every cell in mybody exhales.
(31:22):
It's this overwhelming feelingthat.
Speaker 1 (31:27):
I get, jasper, and I know you are so much nicer to us
.
Wow, it's cal Karma.
Speaker 2 (31:34):
Here we go.
You know, can we get through apodcast without?
No, I'm kidding, I am.
I love it.
There is something if you needa little bit of that in your
life, and I don't even know howto put it into words other than
to say, yeah, I feel like everycell in my body exhales and I,
just when I think about beingthere, I yearn for that It'd be
(31:54):
a great series actually aroundAustralia and we could call it
Exhale and literally we justtalk up the spots that you 100%
will have that moment, becauseisn't that lacking in a lot of
people's lives?
It is most certainly.
I tell you another place whereI had that exact same feeling.
(32:17):
Paul was out in the middle ofnowhere as we were traveling on
the Oodnadatta.
Yeah, out there in.
South Australia, where you knowagain, you're literally driving
on a dirt road and you might belucky to see another vehicle.
I had that same overwhelmingfeeling.
It's almost like all of thoseyears that you've been carrying
(32:38):
around all of this stuff in yourheart, in your head.
Just leave you.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
I think it's because the enormity of the environment
does overwhelm you to a pointwhere you realize you're
insignificant and so stopcarrying on let go yeah and just
enjoy this moment for what itis.
For me, a place like that isout there in Palm Valley, in the
(33:08):
West Macdonald Ranges.
Well, actually it's just pastthe West Macdonald Ranges.
Well, actually it's just pastthe West Macdonald Ranges If you
come from King's Canyon on thatAboriginal land that cut
through the Marini Loop andcoming out to yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
To Fink River National Park yeah.
Speaker 1 (33:24):
Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2 (33:25):
Fink Gorge National Park.
I think it is.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
Incredible Same moment for me there.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Oh, spectacular.
Yeah, you know you're alive inthose moments and I think it is
Incredible.
Same moment for me there, oh,spectacular.
Yeah, you know you're alive inthose moments and I think you
nailed it, Paul.
You really.
It really.
It's like this massive slap inthe face without it being a slap
in the face, and you justrealize, actually, none of that
matters at all, no, Except thismoment right here, right now.
Speaker 1 (33:51):
No, we build up too much pressure on ourselves and
our situations and you know,worrying about other people's.
You know interactions or notwith us as well, like you, know
what we think and you know wejust I think we over-exaggerate
things, we complicate things toomuch in our heads quite often.
I certainly remember that inour working life prior to
(34:13):
travelling.
Speaker 2 (34:15):
So anyways, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (34:16):
Get out there, travel .
All right, let's talk aboutleaving the wetlands.
So there you go.
So Katie's number one wasMcBridesbourne.
Number two, westbourne,shearing Shed.
Number three, lara Wetlands.
And for me, just flip those toptwo.
And for me, just flip those toptwo.
So Westbourne Shearing Shedwith three barbs and the
shearing shed.
Good on you, mate.
Awesome, love it.
Thank you, david.
Okay, we're heading now back Ithink it's almost 40 k's back
(34:40):
into Barkie Buckholden speltB-A-R-C-A-L-D-I-N-E.
The first time we came throughhere, I think Kate pronounced it
Buckledeen and I pronounced itBuckledeen.
I can't remember.
Anyway, but we did getabsolutely smashed by comments
of people telling us Just callit Barkie guys, It'll be heaps
(35:02):
easier.
You guys don't know what you'redoing.
Yeah, so Barkie is how it shallnow be known.
Moving forward A really greatstory here, famous for the Tree
of Knowledge.
Now, the Tree of Knowledgereally came about back there in
1891.
There were 3,000 shearers thatwent on strike and really
(35:22):
Australia's economic successthey refer to as being built off
the back of the sheep.
Being built off the back of thesheep because the merino wool,
the finest grade wool in theworld, and the ability to be
able to grow economicallybecause of that, was huge for
Australia.
Back in the day, back in Morwayday, with 3,000 shearers there,
(35:44):
though, going on strike, thatwas pretty huge news.
They wanted better wages, theywanted better working conditions
, and quite a lot of them werearrested I think there was 12 or
13 actually arrested at thetime but it's really given birth
then to the Labour Party andalso iconic really for trade
(36:08):
unions and particularly theLabour Party.
And so there was this massivetree that's there called the
Tree of Knowledge, and it washeritage listed in 2006,
actually back on Australia Day,and very sadly and tragically,
it was poisoned in that sameyear, which you know.
It doesn't matter whichpolitical sway you have, we just
(36:31):
cannot comprehend this kind of,you know, idiotic behavior.
Who are these people?
Speaker 2 (36:37):
Yeah, craziness.
Speaker 1 (36:38):
You know, come on.
So anyway, they took this treedown to Brisbane to, I think,
like the Natural History Museumor somewhere down there, the
university, and they worked outthat they could still preserve
some of this tree.
So they did, and then they'vehad this architecturally
designed enclosure.
Speaker 2 (36:57):
It's incredible the design of what they have done
here now around this tree.
It's absolutely beautiful.
Speaker 1 (37:06):
Look in our lives, katie, since we've known each
other, and even pre that.
There's always this little termthat comes up in the back of
our heads and it's worst thing,best thing.
In the midst of the worst thingthat could be happening in your
life, there seems to be a bestthing coming.
Speaker 2 (37:23):
Yeah, it generally seems to be that way, doesn't it
?
Speaker 1 (37:26):
And for the tree of knowledge.
I don't think they could haveenvisaged anything more
spectacular and larger.
It's almost like they went allright, oh.
Speaker 2 (37:34):
Yeah, we'll show you.
Speaker 1 (37:35):
Yeah, here it is.
Here's the Tree of Knowledgenow, and it's quite impressive.
So, anyway, they do have afestival, now known as the Tree
of Knowledge Festival, on thelong weekend in May.
It's huge.
Tens of thousands of peopleabsolutely descend on this
little outback town of Barkieand there's horse races and
street parades Wow, and it's nota political thing.
(37:59):
So it is a celebration and wewould encourage you.
If you're going to come out andyou can get out here in May, we
certainly would love to comeout for that event.
It looks incredible.
Speaker 2 (38:10):
Fantastic.
Certainly would love to comeout for that event.
It looks incredible, fantastic.
So so much history out here inthis region and great people as
well.
And as far as the township goes, you know everything you need.
There's a fantastic IGAsupermarket, extremely well
stocked bakery, you knoweverything.
You need A couple of reallygreat pubs as well.
(38:30):
So you know, definitely wewould recommend come and stay
and play in Barkie.
Speaker 1 (38:35):
Yeehaw.
Okay, now the takeaway for thisweek.
I love this, katie, you'regoing to like this.
A mind that is stretched by newexperiences can never go back
to its old dimensions.
Speaker 2 (38:49):
I love that.
I love that, and that isexactly what we were talking
about before, paul, when we weretalking about that overwhelming
feeling.
It does something to you, yeah.
Speaker 1 (38:58):
Alright, next week we continue our fossicking
adventures in Alpha and a returnto Rearview Vale.
For now we'll say dream big,look after yourself and look
after your family and happytrails.
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