We stayed in a free camp on the outskirts of town so we could spend the morning in Barcaldine before heading off.
In the main street there is"The Tree of Knowledge" which was a huge ghost gum and payed a big part in the formation of the Labour Party in the shearers stroke of 1891. It was poisoned in 2006 and a memorial wasbuilt to it. It contains 3449 hanging timbers to look like the canopy of the old tree and is lit up at night.
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| The windmill and Tree of Knowledge in main street |
We then spent the morning in the Australian Workers Heritage Centre whichwasvery interesting and was housed in different relocated buildings. It looked at all types of workers up until thepresent day.
There wasa medical section which had a segment on Nev's knee doctor.
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| Nev was lucky to get the leading doctor in the world for his operation |
Some of the exhibits were in the bicentenary tent that travelled the country and is now permanently at Barcaldine.
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Unusual museum building
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We left Barcaldine at lunchtieandtravelled to Blackall and camped in the town near the river (which was dry). We drove to the Woolscour for a tour . It is Australia's last remaining steam driven wool washing plant and operates on steam power.It uses artesian water straight from thebore and it isvery hot.
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Hot water gushes from the bore
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The tour was very interesting and the old guy had actually worked there from the age of 13 running for the shearers!! We were met at thedoor by a friendly goat!!
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| Still all working from steam engine |
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| My attempt at shearing!!!!! |
We then had a walk through Ram Park which is the museum for this Blackall. Every town has a museum!!!
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| Ram Park no more sheep in the area now. |
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