Despite lacking maps to guide them,
visitors to OZ – whether overseas tourists or aliens from beyond
the Southern Cross – need not fear losing their way.
In some parts of Australia, anyway.
Where, thanx to the daring imagination
and colourful speech of our colonial past, working out your location
can be as simple as describing what you see. So join me for a tour of Australian place names that'll have you scratching your
head … NOT!
1 Big Bend, South Australia
The River Murray, part of Australia's
largest river system, wends its way from high in the Snowy Mountains,
through Victoria and into South Australia where it meets the sea at –
yes, you guessed right – the Murray Mouth.
But en route to this glorious spot on
the South Aussie coast, the river winds through what would otherwise
be the quite arid Riverland. What do you get when the river winds?
Bends, of course. And what do you call the biggest bend on the river just out of Swan Reach??
Big Bend, of course! Incidentally, I bet you can't guess how
Swan Reach got its name …
MORE about Big
Bend, Murray River
2 Black Mountain, Queensland
If the person responsible for naming
Queensland's Black Mountain had been slightly more pedantic, it'd be
called 'Mountain covered with house-sized black rocks, unusual plants
and animals and odd smells – where weird things happen'.
The odd aroma surrounding Black Mountain National Park 25 km south of Cooktown en route to Cairns is as much a mystery as the local legends about disappearing people and stock, strange noises and unusual turbulence and magnetic fields over the mountain reported by pilots.
Black Mountain National Park, Queensland |
The odd aroma surrounding Black Mountain National Park 25 km south of Cooktown en route to Cairns is as much a mystery as the local legends about disappearing people and stock, strange noises and unusual turbulence and magnetic fields over the mountain reported by pilots.
And it's a habitat unique enough to support a three endemic species – a skink, a frog and a gecko, the names of which are all preceded by 'Black Mountain!'
But all that's too much to fit into a
single descriptive place name, so in a grand display of brevity, the
unknown (to me) name-bestower chose the two most important words.
MORE about Black
Mountain (Kalkajaka) National Park
3 Black Rock Falls, Western
Australia
A waterfall that flows over black rocks
can't really be called anything other than Black Rock Falls, right?
And although this Kimberley beauty near Western Australia's Kununurra wasn't flowing on our visit, the path of the water was visible against the black rock surrounding the falls area.
And although this Kimberley beauty near Western Australia's Kununurra wasn't flowing on our visit, the path of the water was visible against the black rock surrounding the falls area.
When I saw our destination on the
tourist map, my well-developed deductive powers gave me a pretty good
idea that I'd be seeing some combination of black, rocks and
waterfalls.
I was right!
MORE about Black
Rock Falls
I'm not sure what colour the water is
at midday or in the dark of night, but I DO know what colour it was
at sunrise as we clambered aboard the boat for Kakadu's world famous
Yellow Water sunrise cruise.
All the better to see the crocodiles
with, the glow of the sunrise turned the lagoon into a shimmering
sheet of gold, perfectly captured by Pilchard before the serious
business of birdwatching began.
MORE about Kakadu
National Park
5 Snowy River, New South Wales
OK, Ok, ok … this photo doesn't
REALLY prove my point!
But that's because it was taken in autumn before the winter snow started. With its headwaters just below the summit of Mt Kosciuszko, Australia's highest peak, and above Charlotte Pass, where Australia's coldest temperature was recorded, the Snowy River is an Aussie icon. So much so that if the Department of Immigration is looking for another citizenship test question, they could do worse than something about classic Aussie poem 'The Man from Snowy River'!
And I bet I don't have to tell you how
it got its name!
MORE about Mt
Kosciuszko
6 The Pyramid, Queensland
I blame the Egyptians.
Their astounding ability to build
massive and perfectly symmetrical three dimensional triangular
objects from gigantic pieces of rock has given the rest of the world
a ready-made name for any three-sided rock formation.
Even when the landscape in which the
formations concerned are set bears absolutely NO resemblance to the
Egyptian countryside.
I'm not sure whether or not the Pyramid at the bottom of OutBack Queensland's Porcupine Gorge is a dead ringer for its namesake, but it really doesn't matter.
Because I'm sure you can spot their
similarities!
MORE about Porcupine
Gorge
7 Circular Pool, Western Australia
To be fair, there's a number of obvious
names for a smallish body of water that's pretty much round when
viewed from above. So Circular Pool, in Karijini National Park could
just as easily have been called Round Lake. Or Spherical Pond. Or
Almost-Ovoid Baths.
Circular Pool, Karijini National Park, Western Australia |
MORE about Circular
Pool, Karijini National Park
8 Rhino Head, South Australia
It doesn't take much imagination to
work out how Rhino Head got its name. At the eastern end of
Stenhouse Bay and part of spectacular Innes National Park, the Head
is best viewed from the excellent Stenhouse Bay lookout walking
trail.
And I can't actually think of a better
name for it. Can you?
MORE about Innes
National Park
9 The Horn, Victoria
Victoria's Mt Buffalo is a great hunk
of rock like a landlocked island rising 1723 metres above the sea of
the surrounding plain. While the climb (actually 'drive') up the
Buffalo's flank is steep, the plateau at the top belies its height
above sea-level.
But, Mt Buffalo's highest point is, of course, the Horn – a shortish but stiff climb to a 360° view of the Victorian Alps.
And for an Acrophobic
like me, the newly installed handrails, stairs and fence around the
domed rocky summit made the whole thing a bit of a doddle. Well,
almost!
MORE about Mt
Buffalo
10 Pink Lake, Western Australia
The name of any lake in Australia that
has a slightly different colour to normal is pretty much a foregone conclusion.
But unlike other pink lakes in Australia coloured by salt, this
Western Australian wonder's unique colour is caused by beta-carotene!
Just south of Kalbarri near holiday town Port Gregory, the unusual and unnatural colour of the lake looks like a set from a B-grade science fiction movie. But there's no doubting the colour. And hence the name ...
MORE about Pink
Lake
A dastardly combination of Australia's
ubiquitous RED Rock and our inability to think outside the square
with our place names, Redbank Gorge's name should come as no
surprise.
Because yes, the rocky banks of this
gorge are RED.
No surprises here! And the red is also a sobering reminder of fatal clashes between the local Aboriginal people and the early settlers.
No surprises here! And the red is also a sobering reminder of fatal clashes between the local Aboriginal people and the early settlers.
While Redbank Gorge would fit the
description of almost any of the several gorges along the Western
MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs, it's perhaps more surprising
that it only describes this one.
Redbanks Gorge, however, isn't to be
confused with South Australia's Redbanks Conservation Park.
While this name doesn't accurately describe the conservation park's palaeontological wonderland, it DOES describe one of its main features!
See if you can work out which one from this photo ...
While this name doesn't accurately describe the conservation park's palaeontological wonderland, it DOES describe one of its main features!
See if you can work out which one from this photo ...
12 Five Rivers Lookout, Western
Australia
Yes, there really ARE Five Rivers
visible from this lookout on the Bastion (wonder why they called it
that?!) high above Cambridge Gulf near Wyndham in the Western
Australian Kimberley. The Ord, Pentecost, Forrest, Durack and King
rivers all flow into the gulf but my camera wasn't wide enough to
capture all of them. Not even by stitching photos.
And even if it could, it wouldn't do
the staggering view justice. Or capture the view from what must be
one of Australia's most scenic public toilets.
So don't take MY word for it – head
up Wyndham's Bastion and count those 5 rivers for yourself!
MORE about Five
Rivers Lookout
13 Boulder Beach, New South Wales
What else would you call a beach
covered with small boulders? At least it makes a change from the
plethora of Sandy, Shelly, Rocky and Stony beaches along the
Australian coastline.
And this fine beach, between Skennars and Lennox Head near Northern New South Wales town Ballina also lifts those coastal photographs out of the cliché category.
Doesn't it?
MORE about Ballina
Even though this is a long post, it's
really just a teaser! There's WAY more place names like this so YOU
tell ME! Which ones have I missed??
It's been a pleasure having your
company for my 300th post! But stick around … I've got
WAAAAAAY more to show you!
Black Rock Falls, via Kununurra, Western Australia |
Well done you on 300 posts. I have learnt a lot and possibly forgotten a lot too. I get Rhino Head but not Mount Buffalo. Pink Lake is pretty interesting.
ReplyDeleteI am not seeing "Red Nomad Mountain" anywhere in this list. I think you are missing an opportunity here. Just throw up a few official looking signs on your travels. I'm sure it will catch on. Hurry before every Tom, Dick, and corporate sponsor start renaming the place.
ReplyDeleteWhat else would you call a beach covered with small boulders? The English would call it Brighton, but I guess that's not an answer that's within the rules of the game.
ReplyDeleteSuitably stunning photos for the occasion of your 300th post. I'm sure I'll be enjoying hundreds more :)
Congrats on your 300th post. Quite a lot of travelling to gather those pictures. Can't decide on a favourite but the pink lake was a bit more unusual than black rock mountain.
ReplyDeleteOnce again you have provided a great post. I'm enjoying all these photos and your sense of humor. Terrific reflections in that last picture. People are sometimes captured by the obvious when they name things, and you have proved that point.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, true Aussie stunners! I am especially taken by that Pink Lake - wow!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo's....they are very good.
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Joop
http://joopzandfotografie.blogspot.nl
Thank you so much for sharing the photos. I will never get to see these things except through your camera lens.
ReplyDeleteHappy 300th, Red!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the fantastic photos and great writing.
I loved this post, and was very interested in Black Mountain. I went and read up about it, and I do believe it could be Australia's "Bermuda Triangle". Some seriously spooky stuff.
And, I can only come up with, "The Gap" and "Dog Rock" in Albany. And, Elephant Rocks near Denmark - if you squint hard, they kinda resemble a herd of elephants taking a dip in the cool blue-green water.
It's a lovely place to visit too.
Oh, and to me, from the air, The Great Australian Bight looks as though a huge great white has taken a "bite" out of the bottom of this continent :)
So glad you have much more to show. Bring it on!
So many places I would love to visit, I have been to the Snow River a few times but that is all
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 300th post. I enjoy traveling around Australia with you! I would like to visit everyone one of these places above. Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing. Have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteThese are fabulous! I would like ALL of TODAY'S photos as a 15 month calendar.
ReplyDeleteplease, please, pretty please.
I can't think of other place names but I've gotta say the Black Mountain near Cooktown is much more aptly named than the one in Canberra.
ReplyDeleteAs it happens I posted Black Mountain yesterday.
Fantastic ! The 1st picture is the best !
ReplyDeleteHappy to find your lovely blog !
Best regards from Sarajevo
300 extremely interesting posts. How about "The Grandstand" at Kalbarri or Dog Rock in Albany WA, or Great Australian Bight.
ReplyDeleteDearest Red - WOW - I am outta breath with the beauty in this post. I have experienced it all or thought I had, until you took us on this whirlwind tour through water, mountains, crevices and small lakes. I could just imagine scaling that wall at Black Rock Falls or figuring out myself the mystic of Black Mountain. Five Rivers lookout most impressive and I love the boulders at boulder beach - I love rocks and crevices also. So.....any takers on Pink Lake with all that rich beta-carotene within it - Eh - bet the rabbits would be happy. he,he
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love all photos, but especially Yellow River Sunset. Great Job Red and thank you for this wonderfully bright virtual tour for your 300th post. Take care Kiddo, Eh :)
Great post for your 300th. I look forward to your next 300. You're right about the place names, I immediately thought of all the 1 mile, 2 mile, 10 mile creeks I've seen. Are they still called that or have they changed over to kms? It's so long since I've travelled in Oz.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 'big' number of post.
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious the names if you think about it, but to tell you the truth I haven't!
G'day Red! 300 posts! Congrats and here to another 300.
ReplyDeleteWhat a spectacular around Australia trip over my morning coffee! - especially following an ABC production last evening on Australia's formation.
Congratulations on your 300th post. The only place I have been to is Pink Lake...I still have a lot to travel!
ReplyDeleteI’d have thought WA’s Wave Rock might’ve been a contender, Red. My personal un-favourite place name is Bullock’s Head Creek on the western edge of Brisbane – I always wonder how it got to be called that.
ReplyDeleteYep, those weren't subtle -- even I could figure out why these places were named as they were. Yellow River and Pink Lake are my favorite...all are amazing.
ReplyDelete@Andrew - Thank you!! It's a toss up between you & River as to who's made the most comments all up - so whether or not you've learned/forgotten, it's been an enjoyable experience for me, at least!
ReplyDelete@SFlaGuy - HAhahaha!! I NEARLY put in a pic of 'Red Bluff' - that's probably getting pretty close!!!
@FruitCake - Thank you! I'll be honoured to have your company for the next few hundred!!! Perhaps by the end of my next 300 posts, 'Brighton' will have become synonymous with 'Boulder Beach', who knows?!
@Fun60 - I've enjoyed nearly every minute of those travels!! I think Pink Lake stands out because it's SOOOO obvious as a name, but such an unusual landmark! Maybe you'll get to see it on your next trip!
@TFG - HHHMMMmmm... maybe the sense of humour is an Aussie thing. As is the spelling of 'humour' ...
@LONDONLULU - HAha, don't tell me I've at LAST found something Australian that doesn't remind you of Hawaii??!!!
@Joop Zand - Thank you! But I bet if you came to Australia, your photos would look at least as good as mine, if not better!! It's easy to take good photos with scenery like this!
@Kay - It's my pleasure to share the photos!!! And to travel around taking them!! So glad you liked them :)
ReplyDelete@Vicki - I LOVE the Bight/Bite nexus!! And Victoria's Grampians also have their fair share with 'The Pinnacle', 'Elephants Hide' and Venus Baths!! We're SUCH an imaginative nation! Thanx for your good wishes too!
@Jo-Anne - Well, I've only been to the Snowy River once - as an adult! I'm always torn between re-visiting good spots and seeing somewhere new!!
@Eileeninmd - Thank you! And thanx for being a WAAAAAY better follower than I will ever be!! I love comparing notes with you too, and sitting back to enjoy your travels from the comfort of my lounge!
@River - HHHMMMmmm... I hadn't thought of that!! Leave it with me ... thank you so much for being one of my most regular commenters - it's been a pleasure to show you the Australia I've found and hopefully inspire your future travels!
@Joan Elizabeth - I've been meaning to write about Black Mountain for AGES and this seemed the perfect opportunity!! I'll check out your post too!!
@Doronette - Wow! So glad you could drop in from such a distance!! I look forward to seeing your world while you are discovering mine!
@Linley S - Thank you!! And yes, I've seen the pix of Dog Rock which is SO weird! I hope to visit it one day but in the meantime I'll just keep checking out your blog!
ReplyDelete@Saucy - It's ALWAYS a pleasure to hear from you and I thank you for your support and comments - and that great guest post where you brought me my FIRST international scenic toilet!! I look forward to sharing more with you over the next 300 posts (I feel exhausted already)!!!
@Pauline - Hahaha, there are still a few of those creeks, but probably not as many as before metric measurement! Now there's lots of Rocky, Stony, Wild Dog and Crocodile creeks!!!
@whiteangel - Putting captions on my photos made me think of it - like 'Black Rocks at Black Rock Falls'!! So you've got blogging to 'thank' for my inspiration!
@Rose - I watched that too!! I think I'll have enough material to do a follow up post on place names sometime in the future! What's up your way?!
@Sami - Well, Pink Lake is a GREAT start!! See you on the road somewhere!
@FigMince - Wave Rock is RIGHT up there ... except for the fact I haven't been there and have no pix of it!! Next time ... I also visited Dead Horse Gap near Lake Argyle - the mind boggles!!
@Sallie - So glad you haven't lost your super-deductive powers!! Thanx for your visit - look forward to a virtual catch up soon!
Ah Red! Such beautiful photography, so vibrant. Congratulations on showing up all the wondrous beauty of Oz for 300 posts, and many more to come!
ReplyDeleteWow - another stunning series of shots.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos, beautiful place, beautiful colors ...!
ReplyDeleteCan´t wait for more!
ReplyDeleteAwww. Just.... couldn´t you have done this pre-1999? I was in Wyndham and just didn´t know! Your Loo-calendar was a big hit, btw! :-)
Another great post with fantastic photos of the gorgeous Australian countryside. We have a few places here in the states with the same type of "subtle" names. The Grand Canyon comes to mind. There is a place in Utah called Coral Pink Sand Dunes named for the.....you guessed it....coral pink sand dunes. Fun stuff.
ReplyDelete