Just finished the novel East Of Alice which I bought because of the Outback setting and the profile of the Author Annie Seaton …
Will be her follower now, as she seems to be the Australian Charlotte Link!
This is my highest reward in Good Reads …. 4 sure
More via Goodreads
East of Alice by Annie Seaton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Totally agree with the review of Phrynne and nothing I wish to add …The two time frames past and history plus today are well combined, the outback life of the OZ pioneers is vividly outlined, and the story is well written, so good I can imagine a good film version like the story of the Brissie Camel Lady! Will check out more from the author! Great and easy vacation reading and of course very good for tourists visiting the Outback around Alice …like Ruby Gap.
Will get there one day myself for sure!
The author is very successful and travels a lot like myself! Will follow her now and read more Country Stories. She is the Australian Charlotte Link (German Author).
My Review East Of Alice published on GoodReads
East Of Alice
Autorin: Annie Seaton
The Early Settlers from Britain and more …
Setting is The Ruby Gap National Park.
(will be updated soon …) Read my Review via GoodReads.
Ruby Gap is a remote wilderness area located near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is known for its rugged beauty and unique geology, as well as its rich Indigenous history and cultural significance.
The Ruby Gap area is characterized by steep sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and rocky outcrops. The area is home to a diverse range of plants and animals, including the red kangaroo, rock wallaby, and various bird species. The area also has several permanent waterholes, which are important for wildlife and for the Indigenous people who have lived in the area for thousands of years.
Ruby Gap is part of the West MacDonnell Ranges, which is a chain of mountains that runs west of Alice Springs. The ranges are sacred to the Arrernte people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years. The area has many significant cultural sites, including rock art galleries, ceremonial sites, and sacred places.
Ruby Gap is a popular spot for hiking and camping, but it is also a remote wilderness area that is not easily accessible. Visitors to the area should be well-prepared, as there are no facilities or services in the area and it can be challenging to navigate. Permits are required to access the Ruby Gap area, and visitors should be aware of the cultural and environmental sensitivities of the area.
More about West MacDonnell Ranges
The West MacDonnell Ranges are a chain of mountains located west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia. The ranges are a major tourist attraction and are known for their rugged beauty, unique geology, and rich Indigenous history and culture.
The West MacDonnell Ranges stretch for over 160km, and are made up of several distinct mountain ranges, including the Heavitree Range, the Simpsons Range, and the Larapinta Range. The ranges are made up of ancient sandstone and are characterized by steep cliffs, deep gorges, and rocky outcrops. The area is home to a diverse range of plants and animals, including the red kangaroo, rock wallaby, and various bird species. The area also has several permanent waterholes, which are important for wildlife and for the Indigenous people who have lived in the area for thousands of years.
The West MacDonnell Ranges are sacred to the Arrernte people, who have lived in the area for thousands of years. The area has many significant cultural sites, including rock art galleries, ceremonial sites, and sacred places. The area is also home to several popular hiking trails, such as the Larapinta Trail and the Simpsons Gap Walk, which offer visitors the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the ranges and learn about the Indigenous culture and history of the area.
The West MacDonnell Ranges are also a popular spot for camping and picnicking, but it is also a remote wilderness area that is not easily accessible. Visitors to the area should be well-prepared, as there are no facilities or services in the area and it can be challenging to navigate. Permits are required to access the West MacDonnell Ranges area, and visitors should be aware of the cultural and environmental sensitivities of the area.
Camping & Hiking along the Hale River at Ruby Gap
Planning your Trip in the Northern Territory / From Alice Spring
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More about Camels in the History of OZ
Written by phb on Wed 15 FEB 2023
Definition of Camel Trains
A camel train is a group of camels that are tied together and used to transport goods, people or other supplies across long distances in desert and arid regions. Camels have been used as a mode of transportation for centuries in many parts of the world, including the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.
Camel trains are typically led by a human handler or a driver who walks alongside the camels to guide them and ensure their safety. The camels can carry heavy loads, and they are well adapted to travel long distances in harsh desert environments. They can go for long periods without water, and their wide, padded feet enable them to traverse rough and rocky terrain with ease.
In some parts of the world, such as in the Sahara desert, camel trains are still used today for transportation of goods and people. However, with the development of modern transportation methods, such as trucks and airplanes, camel trains are less common in many regions of the world.
Camel Trains in the Outback of Australia
Camel trains were used extensively in the Australian outback in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s as an alternative mode of transport to horses and bullocks, which struggled in the harsh, arid conditions of the outback.
Camels were imported from Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan, and were well-suited to the Australian outback. They could travel long distances without water, were able to carry heavy loads, and were less prone to disease than horses and other pack animals.
The first use of camels in the Australian outback was in the 1860s for the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, and they were later used to transport supplies for telegraph lines, mining operations, and other ventures. The largest use of camels in Australia was during the early 1900s, when around 20,000 camels were used in the outback.
Today, while camel trains are less commonly used in Australia, there are still some businesses that offer camel trekking experiences for tourists in the outback, allowing them to experience the traditional mode of transportation used in the region’s past.
The ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition in OZ
The Burke and Wills expedition was one of the most famous and ill-fated exploration attempts in Australian history. It took place in 1860-1861, with the goal of crossing the Australian continent from south to north.
The expedition was led by Robert O’Hara Burke, an Irish police officer, and William John Wills, a surveyor and navigator. The expedition started in Melbourne, Victoria, and the team consisted of 19 men, 23 horses, 26 camels, and 16 tons of supplies.
The journey began well, with the team making good progress and establishing supply depots along the way. However, the expedition soon encountered difficulties, including hostile Indigenous people, harsh terrain, and a lack of water.
Burke and Wills eventually made it to the northern coast of Australia, but by that point, most of their men had either died or turned back. Burke and Wills themselves also succumbed to the harsh conditions and lack of supplies, dying of starvation and exhaustion on the return journey.
Their deaths were a tragic end to the expedition and were widely mourned in Australia and beyond. The Burke and Wills expedition is remembered as a symbol of the courage and determination of early explorers in Australia, but also as a cautionary tale about the dangers of exploring unknown territory without adequate planning and preparation.
Further ill – fated expeditions in Australia in the past
There were several other ill-fated expeditions in Australia, particularly during the 19th century when exploration of the continent was still in its early stages.
One of the most notable examples is the tragic story of Ludwig Leichhardt, a German explorer who disappeared during an expedition in 1848. Leichhardt had previously completed several successful expeditions in Australia, but his final attempt to cross the continent from east to west ended in disaster. His party disappeared without a trace, and despite numerous search efforts over the years, no definitive evidence has ever been found to determine their fate.
Another example is the ill-fated expedition of John McDouall Stuart, who attempted to cross the continent from south to north in the late 1850s and early 1860s. Stuart and his team faced numerous challenges, including hostile Indigenous people, harsh terrain, and a lack of supplies. Despite these difficulties, Stuart was eventually successful in his goal, becoming the first European to cross the continent from south to north.
There were also several other expeditions during this time period that were plagued by misfortune, including the Arafura expedition of 1844-1846 and the Sturt expedition of 1844-1845. These expeditions, like the Burke and Wills expedition, demonstrate the many challenges and dangers that early explorers faced in their attempts to map and understand the vast and often hostile continent of Australia.
Hikers should know, Australia and the Outback is still a dangerous place for uninformed and unexperienced people from all over the word.
Many tourists have died on the remote roads of Australia, as they were not prepared and because of lack of experiende! coming from European capitals like Berlin or Paris or London or countries from the USA to Brasil, travellers often underestimate the perils of an outback or Hinterland Road Trip! More of this to come soon …
My advice: Never hitchhike in Australia in remote areas, only when you have no better choice! Some backpackers have simply disappeared for good …. (for ever)!
The ill fated Ludwig Leichhard expedition
Ludwig Leichhardt was a German naturalist and explorer who became famous for his ill-fated expedition to cross the Australian continent from east to west in 1848. Leichhardt was an experienced explorer and had successfully completed a number of expeditions in Australia before attempting his ambitious east-to-west crossing.
Leichhardt and his team set out from the Darling Downs in Queensland in March 1848 with the goal of reaching the Swan River settlement in Western Australia. However, they soon encountered a series of challenges and setbacks, including bad weather, rough terrain, and a shortage of food and water.
The expedition was supposed to take two years, but after just a few months, communication with the group was lost. Despite several attempts to locate them, no trace of Leichhardt or his team was ever found. The exact cause of their disappearance remains a mystery, and their fate has become one of Australia’s most enduring unsolved mysteries.
Over the years, many theories have been proposed to explain what happened to Leichhardt and his team. Some believe that they may have been killed by Indigenous people, while others speculate that they may have succumbed to illness, injury, or starvation. There have also been a number of searches for the missing group, but to this day, no conclusive evidence has been found.
Despite the tragic outcome of his final expedition, Ludwig Leichhardt is remembered as a pioneering explorer who made important contributions to the scientific understanding of Australia’s flora and fauna.
I asked ChatGPT about a Hobby Farm near Nerang at the Gold Coast!
If you are looking for a hobby farm near Nerang on the Gold Coast, there are several options to consider.
One option is to look for hobby farms in the surrounding hinterland areas, such as the Numinbah Valley or Advancetown. These areas offer a rural lifestyle with easy access to the Nerang town centre and the broader Gold Coast region.
Another option is to consider properties located in the western areas of Nerang, towards the hinterland. There are several rural properties and acreages in this area that offer a rural lifestyle within close proximity to the town centre.
When looking for a hobby farm near Nerang, it’s important to consider factors such as the size and condition of the property, the type of soil and topography, water availability, and any regulations or zoning requirements that may apply. Working with a real estate agent who specializes in rural properties in the area can be helpful in finding the right property to suit your needs.
The Nerang area offers a range of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding. The town centre also offers a range of local shops, cafes, and amenities, with easy access to the broader Gold Coast region via the Pacific Motorway.
Website – The Coral Expeditions – Australian Kimberley Outback: The Last Wilderness. Advertisement
21 April 2023 (Last updated)
Solar Eclipse Exhibition
Waltzing Matilda: The secret National Aussie hym
Waltzing Matilda is a term for traveling with a swag, which is a bundle of belongings carried on one’s back. The term is derived from the Australian slang for walking (waltzing) and the name given to the swag (Matilda). The term is also the title of a famous Australian song that tells the story of a swagman who steals a sheep and gets caught by the police1
The song was written in 1895 by the Australian poet Banjo Paterson, to a tune played by Christina Macpherson. It is composed of 32 lines in 8 verses. It uses an ABCB rhyming scheme with a ‘back and forth’ dialogue and a refrain to generate a melody that helps you remember the words of the song easily2
The song narrates the story of an itinerant worker, or “swagman”, making a drink of billy tea at a bush camp and capturing a stray jumbuck (sheep) to eat. When the jumbuck’s owner, a squatter (grazier), and three troopers (mounted policemen) pursue the swagman for theft, he declares “You’ll never catch me alive!” and commits suicide by drowning himself in a nearby billabong (watering hole), after which his ghost haunts the site3
The song has many words that are unique to Australian English, such as:
- Billabong: a stagnant pool of water in a dry riverbed
- Billy: a metal can used for boiling water or making tea
- Coolibah: a type of eucalyptus tree
- Jumbuck: a sheep
- Squatter: a wealthy landowner who occupies large areas of land for grazing livestock
- Swagman: an itinerant worker who travels from place to place looking for work
- Tucker bag: a bag for storing food
- Waltzing Matilda: traveling with a swag
The song is based on a true story that happened in 1894 at Dagworth Station, a sheep station owned by the Macpherson family, where Paterson was visiting. A group of striking shearers burned down the woolshed and killed dozens of sheep. One of them, Samuel Hoffmeister, also known as “Frenchy”, was pursued by the police and shot himself at Combo Waterhole, which is thought to be the location of the billabong in the song4
The song reflects the hardships and struggles of the Australian working class during the economic depression of the 1890s. It also expresses the rebellious spirit and anti-authoritarian attitude of the Australian people, who identify with the swagman as an underdog and a hero. The song has been sung by many Australians in various occasions, such as protests, celebrations, sports events, and ceremonies. It has also been adapted into different versions and parodies over time2
I hope this helps you appreciate the meaning and significance of Waltzing Matilda. If you want to listen to some versions of the song or read more about its history and analysis, you can check out these links:
- 6 Versions of Waltzing Matilda
- History of Waltzing Matilda – How it was Written
- Meanings and Origins of Australian Words and Idioms
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More about Gold and Precious Stones to come here soon …
What is a Ruby?
For many people first a well written old song …
What is blood – red or pinkish ruby?
About Stones and more – like Geology … written by Peter H Bloecker
Read more about Ruby Gap here.
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- Ruby helps align yourself with higher consciousness.
- Ruby assists you with experiencing and living spirituality.
- Ruby will remind you to enjoy being in the physical world & everyth
**Rubies**: Rubies are the red variety of corundum and they contain chromium. A small amount of chromium in corundum will produce a pink colour, but to be considered a true ruby, there must be enough chromium for the gem to be a distinctly red, or slightly purplish-red colour¹.
**Sapphires**: Sapphires are also a variety of the mineral corundum. They contain traces of iron, titanium and nickel, giving them a range of colours including green, yellow, blue, orange, black and pink. Blue sapphires are the most common¹.
**Opals**: The Australian Outback yields a cornucopia of precious gemstones, with opals being one of the most significant. The interaction of ancient inland seas and the leaching of silica-rich sediments have given rise to opals, those iridescent jewels that seem to capture the very essence of the Outback’s fiery skies⁸.
**Other Gemstones**: Australia, with its long geological history, has some of the world’s oldest rocks and minerals and a wide variety of gemstones. Australia is the world’s biggest producer of diamonds and opals and major supplier of sapphire, ruby, emerald, garnet, topaz and jade³.
These gems have not only captivated collectors but also played a significant role in the region’s economy and cultural heritage⁸. The Outback’s geological canvas is painted with the brushstrokes of tectonic forces, volcanic activity, and the relentless dance of time⁸.
Quelle: Unterhaltung mit Bing, 9.2.2024
(1) Sapphire and Ruby | Geoscience Australia. https://www.ga.gov.au/education/classroom-resources/minerals-energy/australian-mineral-facts/sapphire.
(2) Unearthing the Mysteries of Precious Gemstones in the Australian Outback. https://ossare.com/unearthing-the-mysteries-of-precious-gemstones-in-the-australian-outback/.
(3) Australian gems | Geoscience Australia. https://www.ga.gov.au/education/classroom-resources/minerals-energy/australian-mineral-facts/australian-gems.
(4) Outback – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outback.
(5) South Australian Outback – Travelmarbles. https://www.travelmarbles.com/2020/03/the-magic-of-red-desert-outback-south-australia/.
(6) . https://bing.com/search?q=half+precious+stones+in+the+Outback+of+Australia.
(7) Australian Jewellers Supplies – Headquarters. https://www.jewellerssupplies.com.au/.
(8) Australian Opal Centre. https://www.australianopalcentre.com/.
(9) Devil’s Marbles – Davenport, Australia – Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/devils-marbles.
(10) Opals in the Australian Outback – International Gem Society. https://www.gemsociety.org/article/all-the-treasures-have-been-found/.
(11) Splendor in the Outback: A Visit to Australia’s Opal Fields. https://www.gia.edu/gems-gemology/winter-2015-splendor-outback-australia-opal-fields.
(12) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0015/62034/SapphireImage2by800.jpg.
(13) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0017/62036/SapphireImage4by800.jpg.
(14) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0013/62005/SapphireImage5by800.jpg.
(15) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0016/62035/SapphireImage3by800.jpg.
(16) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0018/62037/SapphireImage6by600.jpg.
(17) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0014/62006/SapphireImage8by400.jpg.
(18) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0020/62039/SapphireImage9by800.jpg.
(19) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0012/62040/SapphireImage10by400.jpg.
(20) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0019/62038/SapphireImage7by600.jpg.
(21) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0013/62041/SapphireImage11by400.jpg.
(22) undefined. https://www.ga.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0012/62004/SapphireImage1by300.jpg.
(23) undefined. http://www.flickr.com/photos/fransdewit/41.
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Just live your dream and Words are only Words. Do it …
Last Update on Fri 9 Feb 2024
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More about Opals in Australia at the BNE Opal Museum
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