Situated 871 kilometres north of Adelaide, (and 14950 kilometres to the south east of Paris), lies the dry and beautiful metropolis of William Creek. Here one sees some hungry, Adelaide mouths, that popped-in from down south, simply to experience the fine cuisine - and tomato sauce in the mandatory squeezy bottle.
It is one of South Australia’s smallest townships (population average 16 people) and lies within the world’s largest pastoral station, Anna Creek, which at its peak was 34, 000 sq. km, almost half the size of Tasmania. The origins of the district date back to March 1863.
8 comments:
I just can't imagine living in such a remote place. I like peace and quiet but 16 people? That is like living along in the middle of 34,000 sq.km.
I like the photo. It looks like everyone was enjoying their get-together.
Nice post.
Abraham Lincoln
Brookville Daily Photo
Looks soooo good! What a nice bunch!
16 people!?! There are often more than 16 people sleeping in my parents' house (or, should I say, my parents' township).
So is this considered the "outback" then or just "one of the suburbs"??? lol
Bonjour Michael,
This endroit is a closely guarded secret and is steeped in History.
The William Creek Pub (i.e. the Town), had a population of 4 when I was last there. In the bar of the hotel, was a brasiere, belonging to Mrs. Anneas Gunn about 150 years ago. The bra was the biggest one had ever seen and it was suspended from the low rafters. Tourists were encouraged to put their small change into this pendulous device and the funds, so raised went to support the Flying Doctor Service. When full of coins from every corner of the globe and having considerable mass, one could have a "feel" for an additional donation. This is reputed to raise about $5000 per month for The F. D. S.
Mrs. Anneas (Jeannie) Gunn wrote the amazing book, "We of the Never Never".
Here is a bit of research on the subject, and it opens up a whole new world of exploring and investigation.
Click on this link and look at the subject "Mataranka". The Mataranka Springs are amazing.
http://www.nt.gov.au/pfes/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&p=56&m=22&sm=48&crumb=33
The land around Mataranka and the Roper River is home to the Mangarayi and Yungman Aboriginal groups. The Mataranka Springs, according to Aboriginal Dreaming legend, were created at the same time as the Roper River course, carved by a Rainbow Serpent whirlwind.
Explorer, Ludwig Leichhardt crossed the Roper River in 1845. Early European settlement at Mataranka was based on pastoralism after attempts at sheep farming were defeated by the harsh climate and rough terrain. The area became known through the 1908 book of Mrs Anneas (Jeannie) Gunn, ‘We of the Never Never’, describing her experiences at nearby Elsey Station. The Station is now administered by the local Aboriginal people. The Darwin-Alice Springs railway reached the town in 1927, making the small settlement a rail and service centre, a role that continues today.
Michael and everyone, it's worth looking on Google Earth. Go to,
14 55 20.81 S
133 07 55.94 E
Or type in "Mataranka Springs Australia."
I went to the link and didn't know whether to laugh or gasp. I think I did both.
For example, under "Housing" it's written, "Housing: There is one three-bedroom elevated home located near the station and one three-bedroom home nearby."
And under "Services"..."There is a health clinic and primary school to year 7. The nearest high school is in Katherine (note, Katherine is 107km south!!!). There is a supermarket, store, two roadhouses, hotel and caravan park with cabins and an automatic teller machine. There are a regular bus services and an airstrip suitable for light aircraft."
Michael,
Australia is quite an enigmatic place.
21 million people live in 3 million square miles.
Most of the population live in the coastal strips where all the capital cities are located, (except Canberra, the national capital.)
We have only just gained a train service, The Ghan, from Adelaide to Darwin.
One could make a life's work in studying this enormous space.
Refer also to my post of 27 Jan. 2007:-
http://adelaidedailyphoto.blogspot.com/2007/01/off-to-back-of-beyond.html
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