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E-zine, we've got a range of cool places to check out.
NewsMarrabel Rodeo
One of the better known Rodeos in Australia is held at the Marrabel Rodeo Grounds in South Australia's Mid North during early October each year. If You've never been to a rodeo then this is a good one to get out and experience the dust, bulls, horses and great atmosphere that makes rodeo one of the most exciting and entertaining sports in the world. The Marrabel commitee are well known for putting on a well organised show so get along and cheer Australia's top cowboys and cowgirls at the top of Your voice. While You're there take the time to check out the excellent sculpture of Alan Woods' famous ride on Australia's greatest ever bucking horse, Curio!
Keep an eye out in Our Events Calendar for other Rodeos near You. Out and Around in OzValley Of The Giants Tree Top Walk - Western Australia
Western Australia's South West corner is renowned for its huge trees and awe inspiring scenery. The rugged coastline, peaceful inlets and rivers are a major feature of the Walpole-Nornalup National Park near Walpole. The park covers almost 20,000 hectares of towering karri and tingle forests and coastal heathland, and is one of the area's most popular tourist destinations. The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk gives visitors a different view of the forests by taking You high into the canopy of the trees.
Cellardoor and Cafe open at Woongooroo Estate - Via Somerset - Queensland
Phil, Gail and Amanda Close have completed their Cellardoor and Cafe at Woongooroo Estate and are planning to open it in mid October. They are hoping for Saturday 17th of October, and will be open weekly from 9am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday (except Christmas Day and Good Friday).
They would love to have you visit them to experience what Woongooroo Estate has to offer - great wines, tasty cafe food and friendly service.
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The Walkway is a very well engineered structure, in itself worth going to see. It was first proposed in 1994 as a way to minimise the impact of visitors on the Tingle Forests, and to provide them with an experience that would help bring appreciation of the area. Construction began in 1995 and the walkway was opened in August 1996. Including the Ancient Empire boardwalk on the valley floor the whole Valley of the Giants project cost $1.8 million and up to 2007 had seen 2.1 million visitors.
Events Calendar |
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October 2009
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November 2009
December 2009
January 2010February 2010
March 2010April 2010
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There are so many markets around these days, every weekend there is one within easy reach of where you are. Some are typically small and local while others are large, almost professional affairs. One thing You can bet, You can find things You haven't seen anywhere else. Some have amazing bargains, interesting objects and collectables, often You find the most exciting and diverse presents anywhere, and You can enjoy great atmosphere, excellent music and just plain have a good time.
St Barbara’s Square on Hannan St, Kalgoorlie. Food, craft, entertainment and lots of activity. Held 1st Sunday of every month between 9am – 1pm. Charleville Historic House Museum, 87 Alfred Street, Charleville. Locally made arts and crafts, giftware and much more. Bring the family along for a fun-filled day of shopping. 1st Saturday morning of the month. Florence St, Tweed Heads. A well represented local market with both indoor and outdoor stalls. Lots of variety, stalls with bric-a-brac, craft, and produce. Open every Sunday each month, 1st & 3rd are Outdoor Monster Markets. 7am to 12pm Goolwa Wharf, Public Road, near the Goolwa Train Station. 1st and 3rd Sunday each Month, 9am - 3pm. There are stalls offering bric-a-brac, collectables, plants in profusion, plenty of books both new and old, hand crafted goods, from woodwork and wrought iron to fabric and knitted items, beautiful decoupage and hand made greeting cards, hats fishing gear, small items of furniture, sunglasses and jewellery for the young and not so young. Fresh produce is so popular, with growers bringing their goods along, so too are the pickles, jams cakes and pastries. This market is well worth a visit! Ballan Road, Werribee. A well run riverside market with handmade crafts, plants, lollies, cakes, candles, soaps, baby clothes, jewellery. To be held on October 10, November 28 (4th Saturday), December 12. Devonport Showgrounds, Devonport. An excellent market with the freshest and the best of local vegies and seasonal fruits, plants, homemade fare and local hand made crafts. Open 2nd & 4th Saturday each month, 8:30am to 12pm. Nightcliff Shopping Centre, Pavonia Way, Nightcliff. An excellent market with fresh produce, art, fashion, recycled goods and plenty of variety. Also entertainment between 11am and 12:30pm. Open every Sunday, 8am to 2pm.
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Useful Links |
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» Mount Chambers Gorge |
The Flinders Ranges in South Australia boast some of Australia's most scenically rugged mountains and landscapes. Most people travelling to the Flinders stop at Wilpena Pound, traverse Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges, and some wander into Blinman and through Parachilna Gorge and a few trek further north into the Gammon Ranges and Arkaroola. Every one of those places is spectacular and beautiful and well worth a night or two or more, but also quite often the campsites can be a bit crowded. So if You are staying in the Flinders Ranges for a while, and especially if You are making the effort to wander up to the Gammon Ranges and Arkaroola from Wilpena or Blinman, then we recommend You take the time to check out Mount Chambers Gorge.
Mount Chambers Gorge is one of the most spectacular and beautiful gorges in the Flinders Ranges and is situated 60km east of Blinman on the gravel road from Blinman to Balcannoona, that traverses through the Wearing Range. The Gorge is on private land, but access is via a public access route. Please remember to act responsibly and that all stock on the property are the owners livelihood.
The 10km road access into Mount Chambers Gorge soon becomes not much more than a dirt track traversing through the Mount Chambers Creek and its feeder streams. In good dry weather this is accessible by two wheel drive but after any rainfall can become four wheel drive only or even impassable. Access to as far as the foot of Mount Chambers is often quite good but the extra distance into the beginning of gorge can become very rough. At the head of the gorge there are signs asking visitors to refrain from taking vehicles further. Please heed these out of respect for the landowners. There are many excellent camping spots along the track in to the gorge, some near the smaller pools of water that are almost permanent in the creek. One of the first pools you will come to and must cross is an important stock watering point so we'd recommend not camping by that one. The campsites near the foot of Mount Chambers are very good and the few near the head of the gorge tend to be very popular.
Mount Chambers Creek winds through the Wearing Hills and out onto the Lake Frome plains, only during very heavy rains does water from the creek reach the dry salt bed of Lake Frome. There are usually a few waterholes in the bed of the creek, although in recent years they have been fairly dry. The water is usually brackish, and we would only recommend its use for washing, and only for drinking in an emergency.
The upstream end of the Gorge is overlooked by Mount Chambers, a 409m peak, almost a mesa, with steep sides. Despite its' look, Mount Chambers is a fairly easy climb and affords a good view over the surrounding gorge as well as to the main part of the Flinders Ranges to the west. There is a 10 to 15m deep chasm near the eastern end of the peak and this can be accessed from the top of the mountain. Take care when climbing in and around the peak, as with anywhere in the area as the rock is friable and You are a fair way from help.
Both the Gorge and Mount Chambers were discovered by Captain Edward Frome and his party in 1843 who failed to name them. They were named by John McDouall Stuart in 1855 when surveying pastoral leases for the Chambers Brothers. Many of the leases around Chambers Gorge were held by John Chambers until 1863 when he sold them to Philip Levi.
The local Adynyamathanha people have lived in the Flinders Ranges for thousands of years and called this area Wadna yaldha. Their Muda (Dreamtime) story, tells of Yuduyudulya, the Fairy Wren spirit, who threw a boomerang which split Mount Chambers’ eastern end and then circled back to form the crown. This was a very important place for these nomadic people, with a reliable source of fresh water and plenty of food resources. In fact one section of the gorge area has a large gallery of petroglyphs, or rock peckings. This is easily enough found by walking down the gorge from the last camping area to the reddish rock bars that cross the creek forming small rock pools. Cross these, and on the northern or left bank of the creek before You enter the gorge proper is a small tributary. There is a large signpost here explaining the meaning of these petroglyphs. Follow this small creek and keep a look out on the lefthand or western walls for occasional chippings. As You wander further in You will come to an amphethetre where the walls are covered in hundreds of these very significant rock engravings, some of which are believed to be almost 40,000 years old.
The main section of Mount Chambers Gorge is in places 100m and more wide and stretches for several kilometres through the Wearing Range. The walls of the Gorge are magnificently rugged and spectacular, with occasional waterholes, usually on the outside of bends. Even in the coolest of weather it can be a long a tiring walk through the gorge, often over soft sand and uneven rocks. When walking in this country, even short walks, You need to carry plenty of water. At least 1 litre per hour You are walking and some spare for an emergency. That's not being a panic merchant, dry country like the Flinders Ranges is an easy place to die from dehydration.
As a place to camp for a day or two, explore and relax, Mount Chambers Gorge is a wonderful experience. There are no facilities, so act responsibly, and take Your rubbish out with You. Remember that fire bans are enforced in South Australia so listen out for fire ban warnings on the radio. And most of all, enjoy the tranquility of this quiet and wonderful place.
Things To Do
- Walk through the gorge.
- Chambers Gorge offers great opportunities for photography and painting, as well as very good bird watching possibilities.
- Spend some time looking at the petroglyphs. Please do not damage them.
- This is a perfect place to stop on the way between Arkaroola or the Gammon Ranges and Blinman or Wilpena Pound.
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Silverton- New South Wales
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» Silverton Website |
What do Mad Max, BHP, Coca Cola, Mission Impossible 2, painting and Australian Pennies have in common?
Stumped?
Well there is this small dusty town, almost on the New South Wales - South Australia border, where You can find the link.
Silverton was once a booming Silver Mining town, now it's more likely that You'll see it on the silver screen.
The Wiljakali people traditionally occupied the lands around Broken Hill and Silverton, often visiting the Barkindji people on the Menindee Lakes each year for trading and ceremonies. The first Europeans to visit the area were Charles Sturt and his exploration party, including John McDoull Stuart, who passed through the area in 1844 on their expedition to prove the existence of an inland sea. Sturt named the range country, known to the Wiljakali as "Willyama", Stanley's Barrier Range. Over the following few decades the area was settled by pastoralists, running both sheep and cattle as well as finding it a good place for breeding horses. Burke and Wills passed through the area on their way to the Gulf of Carpenteria in 1861. By 1875 silver ore was found by some well sinkers at Thackaringa, starting a rush to this western border country for gold and silver.
In the 1880s the Barrier Ranges were the scene of what was to become Australia's biggest silver mining boom. Prospectors were opening mines on silver prospects they had discovered around Umberumberka and the surrounding hills. By 1883 a small township had sprung up near the Umberumberka Mine, but the settlers soon chose to build on the flat ground by the Umberumberka Creek and this settlement was proclaimed as Silverton. A post office was established and the population of around 250 doubled within months. By 1885 the population had reached its peak at 3000, with many businesses, including medical practitioners, solicitors, and entrepreneurs of every type establishing themselves on the busy streets. In 1886 the Silverton Municipal Council was formed and held its inaugural meeting in January 1887.
Transporting of ore from the mines and supplies and equipment to and from the region were carried out by horse, bullock and camel drawn waggons, and by strings of camels. But with the founding of the nearby Broken Hill load in 1887 there was a need for the building of a railway to transport the local ore produced to a port. The New South Wales government refused to put in a line but South Australia was quick on the uptake and put a line in from Port Pirie to Coburn and the Silverton Tramway Company, a locally and privately owned business, was formed to build and operate the connecting line. It was opened in 1888 and ran from Cockburn, through Silverton and on to the quickly booming Broken Hill.
The line functioned up until 1970, having transported 57 million tonnes of freight and 2,881,000 passengers, when trains were re-routed onto the new standard guage line from Cockburn to Broken Hill, bypassing Silverton.
It was in this heyday leading up to the 1900's that Silverton boasted practically every convenience, including a newspaper, Masonic Lodge, goal, gymnasium, hospital, jockey club, football team and both Catholic and Methodist Churches.
Even before the popular successes of the trade union movement in Broken Hill in the 1890's, a strong miners association had originated in Silverton in 1884. Formed at a public meeting, the Barrier Ranges Miners' Association was a friendly society aiming to assist those injured in a mining accident. In 1886 the association resolved to form a branch of the Amalgamated Miners' Association of Australasia. They pushed for workers' rights under the banner "United we stand, divided we fall", and unionism was born in the region.
It was also in Silverton that the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, now BHP Billiton, was formed in the then Silverton Hotel in 1885, a company that would have a lasting impact on the country's mining industry and finances even today.
The rich silver mineral deposits around Silverton were soon worked out because of their small size, and as the larger mines sprung up in nearby Broken Hill, the town declined. In 1899 the Silverton Municipal Council was taken off the NSW state register leaving the State Government in control of the town. This led to many of the towns buildings being dismantled and transported into Broken Hill by teams of donkeys, camels or bullocks.
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Dame Mary Gilmore |
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Dame Mary Gilmore, under her maiden name of Mary Jane Cameron, served as an assistant teacher at the Silverton Public School from October 1887, to December 1889. She was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1937 in recognition of her services to Australian literature, and died in 1962 at the age of 97 years. Her picture is on the 10 dollar note. |
Another new project that lies on Silverton's horizon may polarise local attitudes. Silverton Wind Farm Developments Pty Ltd, a joint venture company has been given the green light for the first phase of construction of 280 wind turbines, which will later be joined by a further 316 turbines making it the largest onshore wind farm in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest in the world. The project will bring jobs for around 700 people and supply in excess of 1000MW of power.
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Silverton's Mining History |
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In 1875, silver ore was discovered in the area of Thackaringa by Julius Charles Nickel, a German tank sinker. Although he had some prospecting knowledge, he consulted John Stokie who ran the bush hotel at Thackaringa. Stokie suggested that he would be able to get his friend Paddy Green, a store owner and prospector based in Menindee on the Darling River, to finance a mine, but Nickel decided to travel to Adelaide to consult mining authorities. As soon as Nickel departed, Stokie hunted out the outscrop and contacted Paddy Green, who quickly made his way to Thackaringa and between them they pegged 15 blocks. Green returned to Menindee where he registered the claims in the names of himself, Stokie and Mr. Gower the Police Magistrate at Wilcannia who he had also got interested. Thus was formed the Pioneer Mining Company, which held the Pioneer Mine until 1892. 36 tons of ore were raised and sent to England but were lost in a storm on the way so another parcel was sent, the results of which were returned two years later. These very good results started a rush in the area and in a short space of time several mines were operating in the are including the Great Vugh, Bald Hill, Bonanza, Comstock, Lily and Lily extended, Thackaringa, Gypsy Girl, Hercules, Gypsy Boy, Alberta, Gypsy Queens, Greens, Goat Hill, Lady Brassey, Outward Bound, Devlin's Claim, Homeward Bound and Maggi Secret. These mines gradually wound down and the prospectors and investors were turning their attention northward, where rich silver discoveries in the Apollyon Valley by Joe Meech and Allen Sinclair had created another boom.
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Things To Do
Visit Beyond 39 Dips to find out about what Silverton has to offer the travelling visitor.
- Silverton Visitor Information Centre
Beyond 39 Dips
2 Layard Street, Silverton,
Silverton, NSW 2880
Telephone: 08 - 8088 7566
Fax: 08 - 8088 7566
Email: beyond39dips@westnet.com.au
Website: www.visitnsw.com.au/avic - There are several of the original buildings from Silverton's Heyday still remaining in town, many have been restored to their earlier forms.
The Methodist Church
There was a strong Methodist presence in Silverton in the 1890s. The Methodist Church that stands today was built in 1885 as a place of worship for Presbyterians. When the original Methodist Church was destroyed by strong winds in 1891, the Presbyterians gladly sold their building, owing to them being outnumbered. The Presbyterian Minister of the time took the opportunity to enter the mining field, becoming somewhat of an expert before heading off to become a poet and journalist.- St. Carthage Catholic Church
One of the most recognisable buildings at Silverton is the St Carthage Catholic Church. The church has been home to artists such as Shane Gehlert, Albert Woodroffe, and has appeared on the big screen in the movie A Town Like Alice and has also appeared in numerous television commercials. - The Masonic Lodge
Silverton's Cornish miners exerted a strong Protestant influence and in 1884 they held a public meeting to establish a Masonic Lodge. The "Umberumberka Lodge" was constituted the next year and dedicated in 1886. The first Freemason initiated into the lodge was Charles Rasp, the founder of the Broken Hill silver lodes and head of Broken Hill Proprietry, who had donated the land on which the building was built. - Silverton Public School
The first school in Silverton was run from a tent pitched in 1884, but as the population grew, so did the local school. A single-roomed, timber and iron building was built in 1887, housing 140 pupils and two teachers. This was replaced in 1888 by the building that stands today and serviced the community until its closure in 1970 - Silverton Municipal Chambers
Silverton Municipal Council was established in 1886 and the first aldermen were uncertain as to whether a hall was necessary. They put the matter to a vote in 1889 and the ratepayers decided that the chambers should be constructed. Since 1899 Silverton has no longer been a Municipal Council and resides in the Unincorporated Area of NSW. The town is run by the Silverton Village Committee, who to this day hold their quarterly meetings in the Silverton Municipal Chambers. - Surveyor's Cottage
Built next door to the Municipal Chambers in the 1880s, the Surveyor's Cottage has led a rich and varied existence. It was originally used by a mining company as a survey office, and housed a resident surveyor up until the 1890s. Since then it has been used for a myriad of users, finding use as a store and even a private business. These days, the cottage is used as a kitchen for functions held in the Municipal Chambers.
- Silverton Hotel
Most likely Silverton's most famous building, the Silverton Hotel has been used in countless numbers of films, television series, mini series, documentaries and commercials. There are times when it has become a two storey building for a few weeks, had its name changed and been watering hole for numerous stars. The original, single-storey building was opened in 1884 to cater for the town's growing horde of miners. A year later a two-storey model replaced the original as Silverton's population became increasingly thirsty. That building burnt down in 1918 and the current Silverton Hotel was built. Even though the mining industry moved into Broken Hill, the Silverton Pub continues to thrive. Starting with the film Wake in Fright, filmed on the premises in 1970, and several other well known movies including Mad Max II, Razorback, A Town Like Alice, Dirty Deeds, and The Craich, the pub has become a mainstay of the local film industry. On average, a commercial is shot on the premises every five weeks.
The friendly atmosphere and good service from Publicans Chris Fraser and Joanne Casey make the Silverton Hotel a great place to stop. It's easy to find too, the black Mad Max Interceptor replica out the front is a bit of a giveaway. - Silverton Cafe
Originally a house built in the late 1880s, Brian and Margaret Edwards renovated the premises eight years ago to create the Silverton Cafe, with excellent meals and a very impressive antique collection. - Silverton Gaol
Built in 1889, the excellent Silverton Gaol is now a museum with displays of virtually every aspect of life in Silverton's heyday represented. There are the tools of the trades of mining, transport, entertainment, technology, food, religion, sport, education and medicine, and are accompanied by a range of photographs, depicting a vivid picture of Silverton's early years. Silverton's original gaol was cobbled together from timber and iron. The building itself was less than secure, and prisoners were secured with leg-irons to prevent their escape. Due to overcrowding, prisoners often found themselves chained to a nearby peppercorn tree. It was these appalling conditions which led to the erection of the existing Silverton Gaol in 1889. As the town population declined the gaol was being used for short term prisoners and overnight lock-up only. In the 1930s the building was used as a boy's reformatory, until it closed in 1942 along with the Silverton police station. After being tenanted for a number of years the building was abandoned.
In 1966 the Broken Hill Historical Society set up a trust to care for the historical building, whereupon it was renovated and restored. As well as keeping the building, the Society established the Historical Museum inside to ensure that Silverton's unique way of life would be preserved for generations. - Nelson's Opal Shop and Pioneer Museum
Drop in to see Gillian at Nelson's Opal Shop, there are plenty of opals and other minerals on display as well as a varied collection of local memorabilia and art.
- Other things to do around Silverton include:
- Take a ride on a camel with Barrier Ranges Camel Safaris. They are easy to find on the main road in from Broken Hill
- The Coin Carvery is the only place in Australia where the currency is legally able to be defaced. Andy Jenkins carves wonderful momentos out of all sorts of coins, but mainly Australian Pennies. Imagine a filigried penny with the year of Your birth, well if You were born pre 1966 at least, as a great keepsake.
- The Daydream Mine was established in 1882 and is located northwest of Silverton and about 20 kilometres outside of Broken Hill. In its day the mine had a sizeable settlement which, while short-lived, boasted around 500 residents at its peak, as well as the district's first smelters. Although the settlement all but disappeared, mining continued up until 1983. The mine is now run as a museum with tours around the site and into the mine.
- Silverton is home to several artists and some have their galleries here
- John Dynon's Gallery and studio are at the top of the town, that's up the hill, easy to spot with the outback dunny and the old pushbike out the front. Johns landscapes are vibrant and refreshing.
- Peter Browne's Gallery and Studio is also at the top of the town, next door to John Dynon's, the painted VW Beetles with the emus all over them are a bit of a giveaway to Peter's great sense of humour.
- Horizon Gallery is at the crossroad in the middle of town. Albert Woodroffe and Bronwen Standley Woodroffe are the artists in residence here and their excellent landscapes and streetscapes capture the escence of the area.
- Keep an eye out for sculptor Chris Trotter's Silverton Scooter across the road fom Beyond 39 Dips.
- Penrose Park is on the north side of Black Hill Creek, the turnoff is to the right as You come into town. Established in 1937 as a recreational area for the region's miners and their families, Penrose Park was named after John Penrose, born in Yorkshire in 1850, was the place to be seen in it's hey-day. Sporting and recreational bodies such as The Barrier Ranges Jockey Club, Silverton Football Club and The Lawn Tennis Club thrived in the days of Silverton. Today Penrose Park has picnic areas with wood & gas BBQs, a playground, a grassed oval, aviaries, day and night-time tennis and other sports facilities, as well as powered caravan and camping sites with amenities, a large hall for hire with power and a kitchen, plus 2 bunk houses with kitchens ( one sleeps 8 and the other 6 ) and a self-contained cottage which sleeps 10.
- Wake in Fright - 1970
- Girl in Australia - 1970
- The Battle of Broken Hill (Miniseries) - 1971
- The Golden Soak - 1978
- Max Max II - 1981
- A Town Like Alice (miniseries) 1981
- Hostage - 1982
- The Slim Dusty Movie - 1983
- The Camel Boy -1983
- Razorback - 1983
- The Long Way Home - 1984
- Comrades - 1985
- Alice to Nowhere (TV) - 1985
- The Blue Lightning (TV) - 1986
- A Place to Call Home (tv) - 1986
- Dirtwater Dynasty (miniseries) - 1987
- As Time Goes By - 1987
- The Water Trolly - 1989
- Royal Flying Doctor Service (TV) - 1991
- Reckless Kelly - 1991
- Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - 1993
- The Missing - 1998
- Mission Impossible II - 1999
- Dirty Deeds - 2001
- Mundi Mundi Lookout is about 5km west of Silverton and looks over the Mundi Mundi Plains. It's a great spot for a sunset or to revist the crash scene from Mad Max II.
- Discover the history of the people of Silverton at the historic cemetery. The 42-acre cemetery is a sombre reminder of the harsh lives lived in Silverton's early years. Mining accidents were tragically common. Isolation meant that fresh water, fruit, vegetables and sanitation was often in short supply. Typhoid was a constant part of life that took many children. The cemetery was fenced in 1888 and is historically protected. Headstones still standing there date back as early as 1883 with names such as Sefton, Anderson, Zander, O'Grady, Mitchell, Roberts, Tantram, Tremaine, Desmond, Kestell, Crossing, Brady, Parsons, Harding, Lidington, Campbell, Bone, Polkinghorne and Spiller are found on the headstones.
- Umberumberka Reservoir is located 9km West of Silverton, and was built between 1912 and 1915 to supply water for the very dry Silverton township and Broken Hill. Until then locals relied on household tanks, wells and nearby Umberumberka Creek for a drink, and as there was never a lot of rain, water was precious. The creek flooded in 1884, easing the problem somewhat, as did the erecting of a public standpipe erected in the centre of town. but the building of the dam finally supplied enough water to the town. Today You can view the reservoir and enjoy the picnic sites and gardens. at the reservoir. These days the reservoir is a standby facility, adding to Broken Hill's main water supply.
- Take a walk around the 2 hour Silverton Heritage Trail. This is a great way to experience the whole of Silverton. Make sure You take water with You as it can get very hot out there and there isn't much shade.
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Silverton's Film History |
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Leyburn Sprints
This one is for the petrol heads amongst our readers. I know it isn't exactly a tourism event, although, if it brings people to a community to share an experience then that comes into my definition of tourism.
Anyway,during August we spent the weekend at the Leyburn Sprints in Queensland. This was the 6oth anniversary of the first ever Grand Prix to be held in Queensland in 1949. That first Grand Prix was held at the Leyburn Aerodrome, for the past 14 years the sprints have been held in the town itself, on a short cuircuit. These are timed trial sprint races and are open to entrants with historic and custom built race cars. The diversity of vehicles this year stretched from 2 of the former Leyburn Grand Prix cars through to the 2008 Spyders built by local Toowoomba engineer ......
"Big Rev Kev" Kevin Bartlett was one guest on the day, as was ....., who competed in the 1949 event. Former touring car ace Dick Johnson and his son Steven both spent a good deal of time on the track in both a 750hp GTHO Falcon and an RS2000 Escort, putting on a show for the fans.
Next year is planned to be bigger and better, so keep a lookout for the dates for 2010.
Brisbane River Floating Walkway - Queensland
This month's walk is a bit different to the usual bushwalks we write about. In the city of Brisbane, on the Brisbane River is the Floating Walkway, which at $3000 per metre to build is possibly one of the most expensive footpaths You'll ever have the pleasure to wander on. In fact for a pleasant stroll at any time of day or night it is well worth every cent. You can begin at the Storey Bridge or at Newfarm or incorporate the walkway into a longer walk taking in sights along the Brisbane River or even into the city.
Opened in 2003 the floating walkway is an engineering masterpiece consisting of 950m of pontoons that rise and fall with the tides and when boats pass along the river causing bow waves. The sensation you feel when it does move is slightly disconcerting but you very soon get used to it, and it truly gives you a great perspective of not only the river but also the people who live along it and incorporte it into their lives.
At the eastern end of the floating walkway is the riverside suburbs of New Farm and Merthyr. Both are very affluent areas with beautiful houses set amongst the park like streets. New Farm Park at New Farm is a very popular picnic and recreational area for Brisbanites, which with it's very large area of rose gardens, gorgeous jacaranda trees and open grassed areas, is also a very pleasant place to stroll. From New Farm Park to the start of the Floating Walkway is a pleasant walk through the suburban streets.
At the city or western end of the walkway You pass under the Storey Bridge and in to the Eagle Street section of the Brisbane city. There are usually interesting markets here on Saturdays. By continuing this walk along the riverfront You will enter the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, which are also a nice place to spend some time. You have two options here, walk through the gardens or along the riverfront walk which also has a couple of small boardwalks among the small patch of remnant mangroves. Beyond the Botanic Gardens there are also several options including continuing along the north side of the river and on beneath the expressway and alongside Coronation Drive to Towong, or by crossing the Goodwill Bridge that takes You across the river to South Bank where there are many more walking options both east and west.
Several options are available as we have mentioned. Here are some we do regularly.
- Floating Walkway from Newfarm end to the Botanic Gardens and return the same way.
- Floating Walkway from Newfarm end to the Botanic Gardens, cross the Goodwill Bridge, turn east along Kangaroo Point Cliffs and then cross back over the river via the Storey Bridge, then back onto the floating walkway.
- Walk along the river as far as You feel like and then catch a Citycat back.
- Floating Walkway from Newfarm end to the Botanic Gardens, cross the Goodwill Bridge, turn west along South Bank and then cross back over the river via the Grey St Bridge, then back long the walkway below the Expressway before returning through the Botanic Gardens to the floating walkway.
Best Points of the Walk
- There are very few ups and downs, this walk is mostly flat..
- You can make the walk as long or short as You feel like.
- You can even walk one way and catch a Citicat back.
Grade: Easy.
Distance: 3km Return or more.
Time: 1- 1½ hours
Viv Moon's Travellers Cookbook
- Viv Moon
