Australia So Much to See

We cross the Great Dividing Range into gemstone, coal mining and farming country as we continue through Queensland

Our first signed crossing of the Great Dividing Range this trip was not far east of Jericho and was shown at 444 metres but we would soon going to a higher point. 

The town of Alpha was lovely with murals and in an area where the red soil grew large trees.  We were now in cattle country. 

The wreckage of a US Dakota is a memorial to the 1943 plane crash at Carnarvon Creek when all US and Australian servicemen on board died. 

From Rolleston we turned south onto the Carnarvon Developmental Road to reach the access road to the gorge. 

South east of Springsure there was a small lookout at the Staircase Range, featuring Macrozamias. 

Heading further towards Springsure the Minerva Hills came into view.  A feature is a peak of Mount Zamia, called Virgin Rock as it is said to resemble a statue of the Madonna and Child, but it takes a lot of imagination to see the likeness.  

Springsure is a small and neat agricultural town.  The tourist Information Centre is in a replica woolshed. 

Emerald has joined other Queensland towns that boast a “biggest” with a huge painting of sunflowers in Van Gogh style.  

From Emerald we turned south as Carnarvon Gorge was high on our priority list. 

Note the double tracks on the inside of the curve. 

We crossed the Drummond Range at 535 metres.  From the lookout and picnic area at the Drummond Range crossing we looked across the railway line winding its way up the hill and under the road.