Blackall

 
 
 
We left Mitchell at about 8 a.m. and headed further west to Blackall. The roads are consistently straight but bumpy! So much road kill on the way – in particular Kangaroos. Other animals we saw included Eagles (more and more numerous as we travelled), Emus, Stockman and their bulls crossing the road (we had to stop for them), Sheep, Horses and a snake.

About 300 kms down the road we stopped at Tambo for a quick play and a look in the Tambo Teddy Shop. Lauren (a big fan of teddies and anything cuddly) bought a cute mouse called Mousey (original hey!)

We arrived at Blackall at 1 p.m. It is definitely bigger than Mitchell and much more lively! We spent the afternoon doing the tourist thing. First, we went to the Wool Scour – a heritage listed steam-powered, wool washing operation that was closed in 1978. It really was an engineering marvel. They ran the 1904 steam engine which powered up the entire complex, including the wool washers and lots of other machinery.

We then headed off to the “Black Stump”. Apparently we are now ‘beyond the Black Stump’!

Another Artesian Spa to be dipped in… this time with a 50 metre pool attached. The Spa was 38 degrees but that was the cooled temperature. The water actually comes up from the Artesian Basin at 58 degrees!

By the way, we forgot to tell you, that until our journey to Mitchell, we had been travelling without a GPS – it was not registering where we were. Ben spent some time trying to fix it, but to no avail.

When we got in the car to go to Mitchell, suddenly the GPS began to work! Thanks be to God as this was just the time we needed specific directions.