Australia So Much to See

Following a road of fine and dusty grey-brown clay from the floor of the ancient Eromanga Sea, we headed towards Muttaburra. Station cattle grazed on the Mitchell grass plains, and a group of at least a dozen Brolga were by a waterhole. Bustards and Emus were also seen. Closer the Muttaburra we passed a sheep station. We have not seen many sheep as most stations and farms in this region have run mainly cattle.

Muttaburra; a small town on the Thomson River. Signage outside the original buildings shows their history. The heritage trail includes buildings such as at Cassimatis General Store, constructed in 1918, and run as a general store until the 1950s at which time it became a bank which closed in 1978. The Dr Arratta Memorial Museum is housed in the former hospital. There is a small community run low cost camping area in the town.

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Hughenden and Muttaburra - towns with a huge story to tell

The Flinders River was named after the explorer Matthew Flinders by John Lort Stokes of the HMS Beagle in 1841. In 1863 Ernest Henry was the first person to select a pastoral station in this area which he named Hughenden after his Grandfather's Tudor Manor in Buckinghamshire, England. The towns of Hughenden took its name from this station.

A small museum in Hughenden features a model skeleton of a Muttaburrasaurus. This dinosaur species was first discovered with a good specimen near Muttaburra to the south of Hughenden. “Hughie” is the star attraction at the Flinders Discovery Centre, being a life size skeletal replica. This seven metre Muttaburrasaurus was cast from the original bones of a 110 million year old dinosaur found in the Flinders Shire. There is also a good display of colorful and interesting rocks and gemstones from around the world. Watch a DVD about the formation of the land around Hughenden, including Porcupine Gorge.

“Mutt” is a full sized model of a Muttaburrasaurus out in the street and a popular photo opportunity. Fossils and windmills are the themes for this town.

To the south of the town, a large table top hill known as Mount Walker has six lookout points collectively giving views in all directions. The drive to the top is up to 16% incline. They ask that caravans and trailers be left prior to the hilltop driveway.

Hughenden

The usually dry Flinders River runs through the town, and is the longest river in Queensland being 1,004 kilometres as it makes its way north to the Gulf. There is a 1.5 kilometre eco-walk along the north bank of the river. Throughout the riverside park are picnic shelters, tables, viewing platforms and drinking fountains. Flora species from each different eco-system have been represented throughout. Along the pathway are local art pieces illustrating important historical events and various cultures of the Flinders Shire.