TAKE advantage of someone else’s knowledge of the area. From April to September, if you’re a guest at the Matilda Country Tourist Park you can join the “class” at 4.00pm at the shady acacia tree near the kiosk.

You learn such things as dinosaur footsteps, the inland sea, Merton Gorge and lush rainforests. But be warned. There are always a few tall tales slipped in among the facts!

Mudmaps are available for people wanting to make the 110km drive to Lark Quarry the following day. For those who don’t want to drive themselves, the best option is to join one of the Waltzing Matilda Country Tours to Lark Quarry. The tour leaves at 8.15am each day and takes about four-and-a-half hours.

The Matilda Country Tourist Park offers accommodation including en suite air-conditioned cabins, caravan and camping sites.

From May to September every night except Sunday, Kevin and Jo from the Winton Hotel cook up mouthwatering dinners around the campfire at the park. As well, Australian champion bush poet Milton Taylor and another well known bush poet John Best, visit regularly to entertain guests with verse. There’s nothing quite like outback entertainment presented out of doors!

Throughout winter, brolgas are also regular visitors to the park. You can often see half a dozen of them wandering around.