Images of the Outback

  • The Marion Sleigh

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    The Marion Sleigh bringing supplies to remote Gulf communities. (Photo: Mataranka Museum)

    A ship like this steaming up Gulf rivers would raise a few eyebrows these days, but in the early 1900s the Marion Sleigh was a regular sight carrying supplies as far up as the Roper River Bar, and Borroloola on the Macarthur. The Marion Sleigh was of 506 tons burden, had a number of cabins for passengers, and often carried Darwinites who wanted a taste of adventure.

    On one trip in 1926, a troupe of young ladies on a pleasure trip were forced to endure ten days stuck on a Macarthur River sandbar, followed by serious engine trouble, and finally a storm near Groote Eylandt that saw the Marion Sleigh almost founder several times.

    The Marion Sleigh was sold in 1932, her engines converted to diesel, and she spent her final years in New Zealand waters.

    Written and researched by Greg Barron

    This is an excerpt from Galloping Jones and other True Stories from Australia’s History by Greg Barron. Available at ozbookstore.com

  • The Parapitcheri

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    This is the Parapitcheri waterhole, on the Georgina River west of Boulia. Charlie and the rest of the Durack party camped here with 7000 head of cattle for at least three months, waiting for rain to bring the drought-parched plains back to life so they could continue. It was a beautiful spot, though there was something eerie about the place; the lack of large trees for a start, but more than that. I couldn’t put my finger on it, but when we finally drove away over the low dunes and bulldust, I was happy to leave it behind.

    The story of Charlie Gaunt is documented in the book, Whistler’s Bones by Greg Barron. The book is available from good bookstores and direct from the publisher at ozbookstore.com

    Buy the ebook version here.