Trevor's Travels

Historic mural, Ouyen, Victoria

No Comments »26th August, 2007; Category: Historic places, Holidays, Victoria

Historic mural, Ouyen, NW Victoria

Several years ago we had a short holiday in Victoria and New South Wales. Our main objective was to take my mother-in-law to her sister’s funeral in Parkes. On the first day of our trip we stopped for lunch in the small mallee town of Ouyen in north west Victoria. This town is a service centre for a wide area of wheat and sheep farming in this district. It was beginning to decline but has had a boost in recent years due to tourism.

Historic mural, Ouyen, NW Victoria

We were fascinated by the mural painted on the side of one of the buildings in the town centre. This mural pictorially depicted the history, growth, development and industries of the town and the surrounding district. It also featured some of the wonderful flora and fauna found there.

Historic mural, Ouyen, NW Victoria

The mural tells of the struggles of the early settlers in this harsh environment as they attempted to make a living from the land. Early forms of transport are shown along with farming equipment and buildings. One scene depicts a steam train unloading water into an open drain. This water would probably have come from the River Murray some distance away. There are no natural river courses near Ouyen and water would have been essential for the farms to develop, as well as for the farm animals. The evaporation from the drains was enormous – probably as much as 90% in summer, so desperately needed pipelines were later installed.

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A visit to Loxton, South Australia

8 Comments »24th August, 2007; Category: Loxton, Murray River, South Australia

River Murray at Loxton, South Australia

Last week I drove to my old home town of Loxton in the Riverland district of South Australia. I grew up on a farm a few miles south east of the town and later moved into the town itself for a few years. I attended the local Loxton High School in the early 1960s. I visit the town from time to time to visit family. My parents used to live there (until they passed away) and now a brother of mine and two sisters-in-law still live there.

Australian Pelican, River Murray, Loxton

Last week I attended the funeral of the mother of a school friend of mine. After the funeral I visited one of my sisters-in-law for the afternoon. Before heading home I did a little birding down by the River Murray.

River Murray at Loxton, South Australia

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Next time I visit I must take more photos around this beautiful river town.

Lunch at Salt Creek, South Australia

No Comments »23rd August, 2007; Category: National Parks, Picnics, South Australia, Walking

A salt lake, Coorong National Park, South Australia

On our way home from our recent holiday in Robe, South Australia we stopped at Salt Creek. We took a short diversion road from the main highway and drove into the Coorong National Park. We stopped at a small picnic ground there so we could sit down at a picnic table in the scrub. While we were there I took a short five minute stroll along the walking trail shown in the photo. This is one of many walking tracks in this national park. We have often talked of camping here for a few days and doing some of the walks.

Walking trail, Coorong National Park.

Larry the Big Lobster, Kingston, South Australia

No Comments »22nd August, 2007; Category: South Australia

On our way home from our recent holiday in Robe we stopped briefly at the seaside town of Kingston. A few years ago we enjoyed a lovely holiday there in the beach house of people we knew. Kingston is a small but very friendly community. It supports thriving farming and fishing industries and tourism is becoming very important too. The rapid growth of holiday homes along the beautiful beach has been a feature in recent years.

On our most recent visit we pulled off the road and stopped for morning tea next to the beach. North of the town one can actually drive on to the beach but here you must stop a few metres short of the sand. My wife and daughter stayed in the car to have their cup of tea because of the freezing cold wind. Mother-in-law and I braved the chilling conditions and went looking for a few shells on the sand. We found very few. After about ten minutes we, too, retreated to the warmth of the car.

As we left the town I stopped to take a photo of Larry the Lobster on the northern entrance to the town. This giant replica lobster is one of a series of giant structures all over Australia. I know of a big orange, a big sheep, a big banana, a big koala, a big pineapple and a big Galah. Other big things around this country include a big guitar, apple, Murray Cod, pelican, pumpkin, prawn, penguin and peanut. This list is just a selection of many, many more. They are all listed on the Australian Big Things website, along with photos and descriptions.

Larry the Lobster, Kingston, South Australia

Larry the Lobster was still there a few weeks ago, but he may be moving. He has been for sale for over a year. Apparently no-one wants to buy him.

Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia

No Comments »21st August, 2007; Category: Plants, Robe, South Australia

Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia

While we were at Robe in the south east region of South Australia for a holiday recently, my wife asked me to take a series of photos of the coastal vegetation.

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Coastal vegetation, Robe, South Australia