Signs #17 - Yes ... or NO!!

Possibly the sign of a misspent youth, my ability to guess 'whodunit' has been well-honed over the years by detective and courtroom drama novels, TV shows and films.


But this sign, languishing with other unlabelled exhibits in a shed at Boulia's Stone House Museum, gave my amateur sleuthing skills the chance for a REAL workout!

Who made it? Where was it located?? Why wasn't it there any more???

Of course to someone with my well developed investigative powers, finding the answers was a doddle ...

According to point #10, the sign was once located 48 miles – approximately 80 km – from Boulia. So it pre-dates the metric system – adopted in Australia during the 1970's!

The sign gives answers to probably repetitive questions - or why would the sign have been made in the first place? But while they're about living in a remote location - Boulia itself is deep in western Queensland's Outback - the signwriter clearly had enough visitors to make the sign necessary, which indicates a stopover point on or near a main road.

And given that other exhibits in the shed near the sign included signs for various refreshments, an old bain-marie and bottles, the stopover point could well have been a roadhouse or hotel.

Deducing the rest was elementary easy. Within a radius of 80 km from Boulia, a map of the area indicated hotel ruins 78km to the east – with no other site meeting the parameters above.

Then – a quick look at the excellent Boulia visitors guide booklet confirmed the Hamilton Hotel ruins about 80km from Boulia towards Winton! QED!!  Or should I say 'WooHOO'!

Hamilton Hotel Ruins, via Boulia, Queensland

Today these ruins are what's left of the last stage from Winton to Boulia. Opened in 1897, the hotel closed in the 1990's – with what was left after demolition salvaged by the Stone House Museum. Travellers can still stay at the Hamilton Hotel – it's now a popular rest stop and free camp with a modern amenities block.

And the old windmill still provides an irresistible opportunity for another Outback cliché shot!

Windmill, Hamilton Hotel Ruins, Outback Queensland

If, like me, you just can't get enough of clever signs, you'll be thrilled to find a whole bunch of them over at 'Signs, signs'!!  Head on over to check out the other contributors!!