20120608 Qld Dululu to Mt Morgan

20120608 We are running out of water and are in much need of a shower so headed to Dululu, where there are showers in the rest area.  Don’t blink or you could miss Dululu, the towns original name was Bunerba the Railway Department changed this to Dululu in 1915 to avoid confusion with Buneru.  Des got talking to a couple camped up and lucky for us they accidentally left the door to the shower open, so we didn’t have to pay.  After we were all squeaky clean, we decided to stop and check out the local Hotel.

If you look closely, you will see three guys on the veranda having a beer which Des again, started chatting to, now I would have liked to have partied with them.  As I took this photo, they were very obliging and gave me a wave.

 I took this photo from a photo on the wall at the Dululu Hotel. An Australian sheepfarmer was puzzled at the disappearance of sheep on his farm and after a few weeks decided to put up an electric fence.

The snake has tried to get through an electric fence and became stuck at the fence and was getting very angry.  He was set free by a passer by who diverted the current on the fence to set him free.  When the owner of the property found out, besides being upset about the fence he was more than pleased the snake was free.

 

Next stop is Mt Morgan which was considered one of the most important gold discoveries in the world and the mine was also believed to be the largest open cut gold mine in the Southern Hemisphere.  To my disappointment the 1898 Railway Station was closed due to a show day holiday, bugger.

This impressive old hotel was one of the first buildings as you drive into Mt Morgan.

The Dee River flowing through Mount Morgan was once lined with a number of famous Swinging Bridges the first constructed in 1890s.  Six unique bridges were constructed to ensure easy access between town and mine site.  Sadly only a replica can found across the river today giving those who cross a fell for the old mining days.

Running the cutter local custom of mine workers approx 1900 - 1918 buying beer in billy cans and each drinking his cut.

We camped at the "Big Dam" in Mount Morgan that night and no sign to say no camping, the dam is the last and largest of seven dams built on the Dee River.