Observatory

There is a nice observatory at The Monument. The skies make for clear viewing out here. It is not open to the public of course, there are very few visitors here. If you knew the right person I'm sure they'd be happy to show you round the sky one night.

Monument Scenery

There are many other interesting sights around the town of The Monument. This is one of them.

The Monument

In the middle of an apparent no where there is this rock called The Monument. The Monument is a small mining camp/town just south of Dajarra, off the Diamantina Developmental Road. It should really be called The Giant Rock Erection, as that is what it actually looks like as you drive into the town. I guess they thought 'The Monument' sounded more discrete and less phallic.
The road into the town is a dry weather only trip. Many dry creek crossings are rutted and need careful navigation.

A lonely plain

The plains are big, flat and empty out here.

Camels

The camels before the race. The Boulia racecourse on google maps is here.

Boulia

Today I went to the Boulia Camel Races (from the link click on camel races to see a pdf). Boulia is a 3 hour drive (300km) south of Mount Isa on a good condition single track bitumen road. A few cattle and wallabies/kangaroos to watch out for of course.
I made it a day trip, but with more time I would advise camping overnight with the many party goers camping near the racecourse. And take plenty of warm clothes and sleeping gear, the nights are cloudless and cold under the desert sky.

Sunset in Sunset

This photo was taken from my back doorstep. Fittingly it is a photo of a sunset here where I live, in the suburb of Mount Isa called Sunset.

Garden Construction

During my trip away I helped build a display garden at the Nambour Home & Garden Expo. This is a detail from the garden.

Mt Beerwah

This is Mount Beerwah. The summit is on the left peak you can see here, behind the clifftop.

Mountain Home

A trip to Beerwah is not complete without climbing the mountain of the same name, Mt Beerwah. This photo came from a morning walk up said mountain in The Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Mt Beerwah section..