Rich indigenous heritage at sleepy outback post

VISITING Dajarra today, it’s almost impossible to believe that this sleepy little outback post was once the biggest cattle trucking centre in the world.

Situated on the Diamantina Development Road between Boulia and Mount Isa, this settlement once trucked more cattle than Texas, USA. Drovers would bring cattle from as far away as Western Australia to put them on the train at Dajarra. Back then, Dajarra was the end of the line and the closest railhead to the Northern Territory. But those days have gone, and the last train came to Dajarra in 1988. See the old railway line and the camps.

Dajarra has a rich aboriginal heritage and is home to aboriginal people of many different tribes from around the Diamantina River, the Gulf and the Northern Territory. The old culture is kept up here. The aboriginal language is taught at the school by a couple of elders and the children learn how to select wood to make boomerangs and didgeridoos. They know where to find the bush foods, too from the “bush lollies” on gidyea trees after rain to witchety grubs!

Right in town, visit the museum which features everything from old campovens to stirrups to a Model T Ford in working order. The museum is usually open. If it’s not, the fellow to find is Hooter, who put the collection together by rescuing many items from station dumps in the region. (Ask at the pub.)

A short distance out of town is Rock Quarry, an old aboriginal stone axe site. If you’re a fishing buff, the Georgina River 90km away is good for catching yellowbelly, or you can try your luck catching perch at Carbine Creek.

An hour’s drive from Dajarra on a dirt road is Black Mountain, which has a gorge and lovely waterholes.

While in town, fuel up at Dajarra Roadhouse, which also sells oil and tyres and does tyre repairs. They have a range of meals available and offer air-conditioned accommodation.

So drop in, meet the local characters and enjoy some great country hospitality at the only pub in town