AUGATHALLA

Augathella is a rural town with a population of 449 people, with the name being indigenous  for “camp on a waterhole” referring to the Warrego River, and it’s primary industries are sheep, cattle, kangaroos and timber. 

Augathella was also a stop for bullock teams. The drivers would use the banks of the Warrego River, which runs through the town, as a resting spot on their long journeys through the outback. 

The local rugby league team is known as “The Mighty Meat Ants” named after the huge meat eating bull ants said to be capable of carrying 100 times their own weight. 😳 🐜🐜🐜 ……not interested in seeing those buggers!

 We are staying in the Augathella Showgrounds (minus the bloody bull ants I hope) for a couple of days. It’s about 1.5 km out of town, so it’s within walking distance. 

It’s also where they put on the Rodeo and Campdraft.

Campdrafting is a unique Australian sport involving a horse and rider working cattle. The riding style is Australian stock, something like American stock horse events such as cutting cattle, where they must turn the beast two or three times to prove to the judge they have the beast under control.

Fuel is slowly rising @ $2.26, and the price of groceries, fruit & veg is 👀🫣😳

But I suppose with the price of fuel….. to get those groceries to these small rural towns…you can understand why. 

I think for $10 a night with power, water and hot showers, you really don’t mind spending a bit in the town. 

There is also a very big free camping  area in the town centre, again with showers and toilets, so hopefully the town benefits from all those people as well. 

(More photos tomorrow)

Stay safe ❤️❤️