We arrived in Winton mid afternoon after an eventful drive that kept us on our toes. We checked into our digs - the caravan park operated by the Tattersalls pub - understanding it wouldn't be too flash, but they'd had a powered site vacancy for two nights. Although a bit on the dusty side, there was shade and reasonable, clean amenities. A promising start.
Actually, I am running out of superlatives for all our favourite spots on the Old Farts' Epic Road Trip. Cairns, due to Kerri and Kev, Cooktown (B2's home), Mareeba, Yungaburra, Mt Surprise, Croydon and Julia Creek all exceeded our expectations. An honourable mention must go to Normanton, as we simply didn't have enough time to explore the town properly.
On arrival in Winton, we were immediately enchanted. Unfortunately, we decided the time was not right to undertake sustained periods on our feet, so that ruled out the Age of Dinosaurs. The site of the dinosaur stampede was located over 100 kilometres out of town via a gravel road. The boom was lowered on that expedition as well.
Bearing in mind that Winton is about the same size as Beverley, we were concerned that we may not have enough else to do. That could not have been further from the truth. We started the afternoon at the Visitors Centre, which is part of an amazing building that also houses the Waltzing Matilda Centre, a gallery, reading room with a bottle collection, a café, giftshop and outdoor exhibits. We only managed to scratch the surface in the Gallery and Reading Room, before retiring into Romeo's interior before the evening chill set in. On the way back to the caravan park, we were entranced by the street art of bulls, sheep, a pelican and the recreation of the Waltzing Matilda story through a metal and plinth combination. Whoa!
We enjoyed a very slow start to the following morning, as the temperature was rather chilly. Once we had succeeded at getting our acts together, we adjourned back to the Waltzing Matilda Centre. And of course, there was a story. A.B. (Banjo) Paterson was a Sydney solicitor who really didn't like his job. He far preferred to write poetry and songs. He arrived in Winton to visit his fiancée (of seven years!), Sarah Riley who had travelled to Winton for family reasons. Also in Winton was Christina MacPherson whose family property bordered that of the Riley's holding. In due course Banjo arrived and he and Sarah were invited to the MacPherson's station for a social gathering.
During the evening's entertainment, Christina played a tune on a zither harp that she had first heard in Melbourne. She couldn't remember the name of the ditty, however she and Banjo began collaborating on what would become Waltzing Matilda. The song appears to have been written between June and August 1895.
There is rumour that Banjo and Christina had a dalliance and certainly, the engagement between Banjo and Sarah ended soon afterwards, However, neither Sarah nor Christina ever married and Banjo did not marry until 1903 to Alice Walker. And that was that!
Anyway, the Waltzing Matilda Centre was just an outstanding and innovative example of when a small community can embrace a focus and run with that. An added advantage was that Winton was located in a boulder opal field, which adds value to a visit to Winton. We were just stunned by Winton's initiative. After we eventually left the Waltzing Matilda Centre, we dropped into Opaltown, one of quite a few opal outlets in town. Proprietor Debbie was just lovely. I fell in love with a tiny piece of boulder opal that looked like an angel and Debbie just gave her to me. What a generous lady. Later we attended a bush poetry performance by Gregory North at the...North Gregory Hotel. We were spellbound by his one man show.
Dinner at Tattersalls was followed by bed. We were due to leave in the morning but I wanted to photograph some sites before we headed for Longreach. So after we left the caravan park, I followed a lively path of recording memories with my camera. Our last stop was the Opal Miner, a centre that offered a view of Winton history, the gems and Duncan the resident blue heeler cattle dog. We stayed as long as we could, vowing to return when we come back to Winton.
Which we will.
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