I
n his 1966 book, The Tyranny
of Distance, Geoffrey Blainey
explains how Australia’s des-
tiny has been shaped by its
remoteness from Britain and
Europe. The book’s name is
now liberally applied to describe the
vast distances between almost any-
where in this colossal landmass.
Heading “out west” from Brisbane
the suburban sprawl and satellite
towns peter out quite rapidly. Farming
and other land management activities
congregate around road intersections,
and a rail track runs alongside the
road for a while.
The long-legged, stocky and well
fleeced Merino sheep are the breed
of choice here, with the larger sta-
tions being dominated by beef cattle;
Brangus and Charbray cross breeds.
TRAVERSE 33