Waltzing Matilda Country THE INLAND part of Australia has a long, proud history of being the heartbeat of the nation, with huge export industries including mining, wool and beef. But for all that, it’s the landscape that captures your imagination when you visit this amazing part of the country. Vast open plains seem to stretch forever. In other places, jagged hills have a stark kind of beauty. Wildlife is incredibly abundant. Ancient history suddenly becomes meaningful - dinosaurs, lava flows and aboriginal art take on new dimensions. Through it all flows the hot lifeblood of the dry west - artesian water. The Great Artesian Basin, which underlies much of Queensland, is probably the single most important factor in the settling of the inland. The second is surely the grit, determination and inventiveness of the pioneers who sought to conquer the inland. The ability of man to overcome the tyranny of distance can be found in the history of the Australian airline Qantas and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, both born in outback Queensland. Nowadays you can venture out west in the family car. The Matilda Highway, stretching from Cunnamulla near New South Wales right to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, is sealed all the way. Officially called (from south to north) the Mitchell Highway, Landsborough Highway and Burke Developmental Road, this stretch of bitumen has been nicknamed Matilda Highway in honour of our national song, “Waltzing Matilda”, penned more than a century ago by A.B. “Banjo” Paterson. There are also many exciting byways to take. We take you out as far as the Simpson Desert Country west of Birdsville and to Innamincka in the remote top corner of South Australia. This part of the outback is isolated, ancient territory and is best travelled in 4WD vehicles. Some people like to explore the beauty beyond the beaten track and follow in the footsteps of those great explorers - Leichhardt, Landsborough and Burke and Wills. When you consider the comforts of today’s travelling, you can’t help but be awed by the accomplishments of those adventurous souls. This publication has been presented to you free of charge. In exchange, all we ask is that you support the businesses featured inside the magazine. We also have an internet version of Travel Action Matilda Country - see it at www.action-graphics.com.au. The vast majority of Australians live the bulk of their lives near the coastline. But Australia’s heartland, with its vastness, its history, its icons and the laconic humour it has spawned ... that is something which calls to us all.