We’d heard about an interesting sculpture trail so we added it into our plans. We enjoyed it so much we decided to make it a blog on its own. Even getting there was an adventure, especially after we took a “shortcut” that turned out to be on private station (ranch) roads with lots of grids, gates and cattle and unintended forays into people’s yards; plus maps showing roads that didn’t exist. Probably was a longer way in the end but we saw different country.
Even without the sculpture trail we probably would have stayed at Lake Dunn (aka The Lake), as Dick’s family used to live at Dunn Lake in Wisconsin.
This photo is for Dick’s family. This lake is on private property and the owners allow the public to camp here in conjunction with the local council. The property owner (of 60 years) comes around at 5pm in a golf buggy and collects the fees.We had a nice campsite on the lake with our Explorer friends, Chris and Joanne. After our “shortcut” drive we got there in time for dinner and an evening fire.We joined Chris and Joanne for a morning uke practice, but it must have been hard for them as they are both very good players. In fact they have taught us a lot, and they gave us homework.
The Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail features 40 sculptures along a 200 km circuit. The story is that a local sculptor, Milynda Rogers, decided she needed a platform to display her work. I think she gave a precious gift to her community by providing it with one of the biggest, permanent, outdoor sculpture exhibitions in the world. As you will see, she has combined her love of sculpture and incredible ability to turn junk (ie old farm equipment, nuts&bolts, old kerosine tins, odd motorbike and car parts etc) into art. This was a well-kept local secret but is now becoming an international phenomenon attracting travellers from all over.
The artist gets her inspiration from local characters and animals. We started at The Lake with ‘The Crayfish’Then we saw the ‘Ballyneety Bronc Rider’. She uses a lot of barbed wire in her work, as well as almost anything else you can imagine!This ‘Cutting Horse Cowgirl’ looks quite real from a distance.On a close up look, you can see what she used to make this one.Looks like the local station owners are all involved as well.It took her a couple of days to make these ‘Butterflies’.Here’s ‘Goanna in Gum’This ‘Plane’ was surrounded by cows when we drove up. Some were resting in the shade under the plane.In keeping with the local animal theme, we have ‘Koala in a Tree’.‘Dingo on a Stump’‘Pig’, and this refers to the feral pigs common in the bush. The sort you don’t want to meet!‘Kookaburra’‘White Cockatoos’ on another station gate sign.‘Bottle Tree’‘Eagle and Snake’. Getting these sculptures in place must have been quite a feat as well.‘Motorbike Musterer’, complete wth his dog on the back.‘Thirsty Cockatoos’. 4 X Gold is a brand of beer in Queensland.‘Deer’ – the sculptor was so good at getting the proportions and shapes right, even with the wide array of materials she used.‘Possum in Gum’ – another favorite local.‘Mustering Dog on a Rock’‘Returned Soldier’. Driving up to this it looked very real. Imagine what she had to do to get this one in place.A closer view of this guy, so you can see some of the material she used to make him.‘Eagle and Nest of Chicks’. Her placement of so many of these is so good.
TIRED OF LOOKING AT SCULPTURES YET???? As you can tell by the light the sun was going down so we had to return to camp. Over four hours we saw the sculptures shown above, and just made it back before dark. Weren’t we lucky to have such fabulous weather and not another person around as we did that drive.
Just made it back in time to catch the last of the sun on the lake and to have another dinner with Joanne and Chris.
The next day we left Lake Dunn and completed our pilgrimage seeing every sculpture on the trail. By the way, this trail is in a very remote area, away from any population centres, and most of the trail is on dirt roads.
‘Frilled Neck Lizard’, another part of the local animal series…..‘Emu and Chicks’; not quite the same as the real ones we saw crossing the road earlier and those ones didn’t have motorcycle bodies!‘Echidna’ – lots of workshops would have been raided to make him.‘Rainbow Serpent’, represents one of the great and powerful forces of nature and spirit in Aboriginal society. This one is made with mosaic tiles.‘Jabirus’; my impersonation wasn’t so good but it does show how large they are.‘Jonathan Thurston’ is a well known, well regarded and highly awarded rugby league footballer from Queensland. He won Queenslander of the Year in 2017 and was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2018. It took our sculptor 10 months to build this sculpture of him.‘Pair of Plains Turkeys’‘Harry Redford Drover’; Harry was an infamous drover and cattle thief who carried out the audacious theft of 1000 cattle, including a white bull, and drove them from Queensland to South Australia in 1870, an arduous journey at that time. Eventually he was caught and tried, but the jury let him off because they were so impressed with his achievement. These sculptures illustrate local color and famous stories.Just checking out ‘Ram’.‘Pushbike with Goanna and Kangaroos’‘Roaming White Bull’ – she’s thought of everything on this one!‘Fighting Red RoosNote the detail in these guys – even forks for eyelashes.
As you can tell, we thought this was one of the best things we’ve seen on this trip. Due to our initial shortcut, we finished our sculpture trail in Aramac, the town where most people start the trail.
The main street of Aramac features a statute of the infamous white bull from Harry Redford’s cattle theft, but its 2020 so the statute has a mask. A normal statute looks very plain compared to the innovative ones on the sculpture trail. This little town must get so many more tourists thanks to the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail, and there is no charge for looking at those sculptures. Its too bad the artist is not rewarded in some way. She said she likes to put a smile on the faces of the people who travel through her beautiful and historical part of Queensland. She has certainly done that!
Thank you so much for a virtual tour, especially because I shall never make it.
Adding this to my 2021 plans. Thanks Pat.
OMG Pat, what an extraordinary adventure you’re having. Loved every minute
of your show of remarkable sculptures.
This is fantastic – I’ve never heard of this Sculpture Trail …..school is in !!!”
Where to next ? wherever – travel safely.
Jeanette xxx