After 12 months of Covid restrictions it sure is a good feeling to load up our truck and head out west again. Our plan is to head west through Queensland and cross the, now open, border into South Australia around Innamincka. From there we will follow Strzelecki Creek along the Old Strzelecki Track, stopping at some of the waterholes mentioned by John Conrick in his 1870 journey to find a route to drive cattle from Western Queensland to Adelaide.
We will leave our truck in Adelaide then travel by coach back up to the Flinders Ranges to conduct a painting workshop for two weeks
Crop dusting vast fields of Cotton near St. George, Qld.
Old Dynevor Downs shearing shed. Every time we drive past I stop and take a photo. Over the last 30 odd years we have seen it slowly deteriorate. Wild dogs have virtually shut down the wool industry in Western Queensland.
An unusual site – The Wilson river at Noccundra brim full of water.
As we head out through Western Queensland it is great to see all the creeks and waterholes full from recent rain.
The normally dry desert country is green and full of wild flowers at the moment.
The Old Strzelecki Track could better be described as the Old Strzelecki River. Kilometres of the track were under water so we had to use side tracks most of the way. The abundance of water meant that birdlife was scattered far and wide, unlike in dry times when the odd small waterhole attracted hundreds of birds. We managed to find a couple of Conrick’s waterholes but the condition of the track made it difficult.
This ever changing sculpture made from camel bones and accumulated junk marks the end of the Strzelecki Track and the Northern approach to the Flinders Ranges.
The track improves and far off in the distance The Flinders Ranges become visible
North Mulga Station sits on a lonely stretch of land at the Southern end of the Strzelecki.
The southern end of the track crosses a dingo fence that stretches as far as the eye can see in both directions
Dogs are trapped and poisoned in an attempt to give the farmers a chance to raise stock on these huge properties.
A pair of Brolgas heading to a water hole at sunset
Corellas make a home in a giant River Red Gum
Approaching the Arkaroola turn off in the Northern Flinders.
Back into harsh, dry country around Arkaroola
The dark nights and clear air around Arkaroola are perfect for astronomy. There are a couple of large telescopes on the property.
A big Wedge tail surveys the countryside.
The small, endangered Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby lives in the hills around the Flinders Ranges.
Feral Goats also compete for grass and water in the area.
Nankeen Kestrel on an Arkaroola stump
A happy parrot perched in the morning sun
Splashing Paint 
Looks like you are going to have a great time out there. Enjoy!
Thanks mazabee
A wonderful journey through the outback.
Thanks Douglas
Fabulous pics! Now some paintings please! 😉
Cheers Gayle – I’ll post some paintings soon.
Can’t wait. 😊
Fantastic photos, I can’t wait to see your interpretations in paint. We stayed at Beltana station which I highly recommend visiting if you have time.
C
Love Beltana – but no time to visit this trip I’ll post some paintings soon.
Lovely … I can’t wait to see some new piccies. I adore your style.x.
Thanks Charlotte
Such beautiful photos John. What an amazing trip. Just wish I could one day join one of your workshops out there!
Thanks Ros
L’ ancien hangar de tonte de Dynevor Downs est très intéressant. Un jour, pourrez-vous nous montrer plusieurs photos pour voir son évolution depuis 30 ans? Cela pourrait faire des peintures intéressants! Merci.
Excuse my bad english!
The old mowing shed at Dynevor Downs is very interesting. One day, could you show us several photos to see its evolution over the past 30 years? It could make some interesting paintings! Thank you.
I’ll put up some of the old photos when i get back to the studio.
Greetings, John, from the US. Thank you so much for this fascinating view of your home country. A rare glimpse of unknown (to me) parts of Australia through an artist’s eyes!
Glad you enjoyed the post.
John it’s great to see you back doing what you love and as always your photos are fantastic.
Thanks Bob
Thanks Jon, love your travel journals and photos. *.Ron*
Cheers Ron
It’s wonderful to see your “Splashing Paint” stories and photos again! Many thanks. Carolyn
Thanks Carolyn – Great to be able to travel again.
Thank you John for your great travel story and wonderful photos. Wish I’d been there too. So different after the rain.
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks Pat – The desert sure looks different all coated in green!
Grt to hear frm u John, thanks for sharing yr wonderful photos 🎨🎨Geri james
Cheers Gerri
Thank you again for sharing your photography and travels with us —- your fans and students.
Thanks
Thank you for sharing. As I sit here down south and wondering why I ever left Qld…..I could not help but read and look at your post over again. Many years since I saw the Western Qld side of life. It is another world that cannot be explained to people down south if they never experienced it! Great photos as ever. Sad about the feral dogs.
wonderful trip australia is an amazing space Great photos thankyou for sharing