Queensland Outback Part 3

Winton

Next destination was Winton - the birthplace of QANTAS and the home of Waltzing Matilda, dinosaurs and opals. It is located in Central Western Queensland on the Landsborough Highway, 178 kilometres north-west of Longreach. "Winton is  has diverse landscapes like the rolling Mitchell Grass Downs suddenly interrupted by mesa formations, starkly beautiful red earth and spinifex country, and Channel Country, undulating plains as far as the eye can see with a myriad of dry channels, waiting for the wet season."

clear blue skies above red vast plains

Winton used to be a forested wetland 95 millions years ago

Banjo Paterson

This outback town is best known as the place that AB (Banjo) Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda in 1895. Winton is also recognised as the 'home' of Australian bush poetry, hosting the annual Bronze Swagman Award, one of the country's most prestigious literary awards.

Waltzing Matilda -  "the unofficial national anthem of Australia"

The town is also "famous for its water supply which thrusts its way to the earth's surface from three artesian bores, all around 1,200 metres deep emerging at a temperature of 83 degrees Celsius. The water is sourced from the Great Artesian Basin which provides water for most of Australia's Outback." I cant imagine having a shower in that water temperature. But no dont worry, water runs through radiator systems and cooling ponds before it is circulated to town. "Trapped with the water is sulphur gas, which gives Winton’s water a distinctive smell. If the water is allowed to stand to allow the gas to escape and chilled, it is the sweetest, cleanest water on earth."

Days after the tour kicked off, i have been waiting for this day - to see dinosaur diggings! Thanks to my nephews interests in dinosaurs, i cant help but be enthusiastic to finally see first hand proof  of their existence.

 The building on the upper right is the
museum's reception still under construction

The Australian Age of Dinosaur museum sits on top a wide plateau rising 70 meters above surrounding plains. It is located
on top of a mesa surrounded by gorges, steep cliffs and massive boulders and the view is spectacular. Although the museum project development is still in progress a temporary building was secured for a preparation lab, museum, storage and shop. Daily guided tours starts 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm. The center is open everyday except Christmas and Boxing Dy.

These bone diggings are waiting to be processed. The tour guide said they have 25 years worth of bones to be prepared thats why they need volunteers. If you are interested visit http://aaodl.com/



a volunteer working on a bone



 a glimpse of the preparation lab



A partial skeleton of a theropod Australovenator Wintonensis named "Banjo"



a sauropod's upper arm (humerus) compared to a cow's

front foot of a sauropod named "Matilda" Diamantinasaurus Matildae

interesting facts about theropods, sauropods and ornithods

best place to park your motorbike

The town is also home to Arno's wall. I saw this before on a tv show months ago and i did not know it's here in Winton. Arno's wall is a strange mixture of art and architecture. Different things are cemented to the wall which includes rusted lawnmower parts, boat propellers, vintage typewriters and sewing machines and even a motorbike!

Amazing! Isn't it?

Did you see the typewriter?

Yes thats a cement mixer!