quilpie

The killing of kangaroos by Europeans began at exactly the same time that the species was first identified. Shooting, naming, describing, scientifically classifying, sketching, dissecting, eating: these things all played out simultaneously as soon as Cook’s Endeavour got stranded on a reef in far north Queensland in June and July 1770. Many notable visitors participated in organized kangaroo hunts: Charles Darwin in 1836 (“my usual ill-fortune in sporting followed us”), Britain’s Admiral of the Fleet Henry Keppel in 1850, and the novelist Anthony Trollope in 1871. The Duke of Edinburgh came to the colonies in 1867 – the first royal visit – hunting kangaroo in South Australia and then traveling out to Victoria’s western district for more sport. Organized hunts could kill any number of kangaroos; alongside hunting meets that pursued individual roos as game, squatters also organized large-scale drives or battues, which could see thousands of kangaroos rounded up, slaughtered, and left to rot. Source: theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-art-of-the-colonial-...

Quilpie is located 953 km west of Brisbane via Toowoomba, Roma and Charleville. It is 210 km west of Charleville. The town's name is taken from a Margany Aboriginal word for the largely nocturnal bird, the "stone curlew". Beyond the town and the tiny settlements of Toompine and Eromanga lie the deserts and marginal lands of western Queensland with their endless sand dunes, scrubby mulga and gidgee vegetation, dirt roads heavy with bulldust, annual rainfall of less than 350 mm and summer temperatures which have been known to reach 47°C (116.8°F). The Quilpie district is known for its opals and is one of the world's leading providers of boulder opals. Boulder opals are recognised as being particularly beautiful as they are backed by ironstone. The Bulloo River is an ideal spot to birdwatch and enjoy the natural sounds of the bush. Source: www.aussietowns.com.au/town/quilpie-qld

Adavale is located approximately 100 kilometres north east of Quilpie. The township was proclaimed on 3 December 1872 and by 1897 five hotels soothed the dusty throats of travellers and locals alike. The mail coach Cobb and Co stopped in the town on its way from Charleville via Cheepie to Windorah. The name Adavale has been said to derive from the horse and buggy days when in 1870 a Mr Stevens, who later became Member of Warrego 1879 to 1922 and State Treasurer, was out driving with his wife when the veil from her hat blew away. It is believed he called out 'there goes Ada's veil' hence the crossing was Ada's Veil Crossing and subsequently Adavale. Today Adavale is a much smaller township with a population of only twelve people. An Artesian bore supplies water and the town has rural power. The town is well worth a look as it is a town filled with history, stories and memories. The locals have done a marvellous job celebrating their history, culture and dry Outback humour. A mini museum, in the old butcher house, displays local relics from more than a century ago. Source: www.australianexplorer.com/adavale.htm#:~:text