Trip to Artesian Bore - Punchbowl - Julia Creek Outback Queensland

Two weeks after we arrived in outback Queensland in the small town of Julia Creek we met a fellow McKinlay Shire Council worker Greg Sant and his lovely wife Bronwyn - but it was not the first time Drew had met Greg as they had both worked at Lismore City Council NSW. We started out to go to the artesian bore at Punchbowl which we did then took a circular trip around to hit the Flinders Highway (Overlanders Way) at Neila.

This is the road out of Julia Creek heading towards Punchbowl. We travelled 38kms till we hit the Flinders River, then 32kms from there on gravel road was the Punchbowl bore, very interesting as it is hot water from the earth which flows 24hrs a day, it is very hot when it comes out - after which the troughs are filled and from there water the cattle on the surrounding stations. The water is very clear when it comes from the ground as it will be evident with the photos. The drought still goes on after four wet seasons which did not rain at all. Two pictures above show the dust on the road after the bore. The land is black soil which is clay, very dangerous when wet. Cracks in the soil and sink holes, when prolonged dry season. The trip was wonderful we saw wild camels, wild pigs, kangaroos, wild goats & emus. We travelled onto view a capped bore which has so much pressure, this bore was situated on Glen More Station. After travelling along various dirt roads we finally come to the highway at Neila. Neila is a very small township of a handful of houses and one shop. They have several statues at the entrance. We came home and discovered that we had travelled nearly 200kms round trip, but the bore was worth it and I would recommend that a visit to this for any traveller.