Lara Station

1 – 3 May

Dead trees in the wetland on a calm morning.

We had been told about this spot sometime last year so decided it might be worth a visit. On arrival we found our way to the wetland and chose a camp spot – there were only three other caravans there, one of which belonged to the caretaker, so we anticipated a peaceful couple of days, and we were right. Lara Wetland is a lovely, quiet spot. Bill, the caretaker visited late in the afternoon to collect our camping fee ($10 per person per night).

More reflections.

Our camp viewed from the far side of the wetland.

There is no shortage of fire wood around the grounds.

Our camp spot was right on the edge of what was once an ephemeral wetland but is now fed constantly by an artesian bore. There are showers and toilets, as well as a hot artesian pool and camp kitchen. Pretty good value for money. Owner Jo visited in the morning for a yarn. Lara Station Wetlands is a very peaceful spot and has been open for less than a year, but Jo has plans to keep improving the facilities to attract visitors. Looks like she is on the right track.

The highlight of our Lara visit for me was finding a small flock of  Plum-headed Finches feeding on grass seed close to our camp. I had only ever seen one of these before and that was many years ago. Also notable are the, very common, Brown Treecreepers and the large flock of Tree Martins that hawk over the water in the early morning and evening. Galahs also come in to drink in significant numbers, preferring to perch on dead timber surrounded by water.

Ducks kept to the far side of the wetland out of reach of my camera. Black-winged Stilts, Black-fronted Dotterels, a Red-kneed Dotterel and Masked Lapwings cautiously passed us at the water's edge from time to time. A bird list is kept in the camp kitchen but the Plum-headed Finch was not mentioned. Mick.

It was great to get a pic of a Plum-headed Finch.

Black-winged Stilt.

Brown Treecreepers hopped right into our camp at times.

Very common in western Queensland is the Red-winged Parrot.

We left early in the morning with a big day’s drive ahead of us – aiming to get through Winton and on to Opalton for the night.