Forsayth Turnout

Being "Johnny-come-lately" Queenslanders we didn't know what a 'Turnout' is. Do we stay in town for another day or drive away like so many others did? We were told it is like a Show Day. "Like the EKKA?" we asked. No not quite that grand but 'everybody' will be there. We thought we better book into the caravan park or we will be homeless! Friday afternoon came and all we saw at the Turnout site was a couple of marques and a few temporary market shelters. We were thinking, this is going to be a "BIG" day out. But as it eventuated, it was a brilliant day of continuous activities. The crowds of families there totally enjoyed themselves. Full credit to the organising committee for a fantastic day.

Log cutting with a 'Crosscut Saw'. The winning pair, one male and one female, sawed the log in 13 seconds.

The greasy pig chase. This is the second release, the first time the pig ran into the exhibits shed scampering under the tables.

You can just make out the pig running behind the marques, it bolted through the cattle yards and back into the bush.

Girls sprint final.

Boys sprint final.

Girls whip cracking. This is the winner, same girl as in the sprint above.

Boys whip cracking, the winner.

Tossing water filled balloons, drop it and you are OUT.

Dog high jump. Some smart animals ran around to the side of the ute and jumped in!

This is the eventual 'Runner-Up' clearing the hurdle.

The eventual winner showing his style.

Forsayth

On leaving MT Surprise we run the car and caravan through a weed and pest control truck wash facility, although not a perfect result, it at least this got rid of most of the accumulated dust and grime.

We then drove the 92 km west to Georgetown. Mostly on two lane sealed road but there was some single lane road to navigate. Because of Government Policy there has been a massive decline in the beef market in this area and consequently there are not too many cattle road trains to look out for. After lunch at Georgetown we then drove 45 km south to Forsayth where we booked in for one night. Later, after booking two gorge tours that we learned of on our arrival, we stretched our stay to four nights. We then further discovered that Forsayth had it's Annual 'Turnout' Festival planned for the weekend that we were to leave, so we extended again.

The entire region is in drought conditions having missed out on the summer rains last season. There is little water available to the cattle unless the water troughs can be fed from bore water. The population of Forsayth is about 100 persons and the town is under strict water restrictions. I did notice that some of 'The Tourists' still have their half-hour showers, no consideration at all. One downside to camping here is that there is no digital communication what-so-ever, No Mobile or Internet. The TV is only 3 Analogue Channels unless you have a Satellite Dish.

The Goldfields Tavern in Forsayth.

The Forsayth Hospital is for day treatment only. Any serious medical cases are flown to Cairns by The Royal Flying Doctor. Forsayth boasts a sealed airstrip at the airport.

The old Station Masters House is now a 'Bed and Breakfast'.

This is The Forsayth Railway Station, believe-it-or-not! This is the end of the line for the Savannahlander. After an over night stay the train begins it's return journey to Cairns.

A dry creek bed that runs directly into the back of the caravan park.

This is typical of the country around the town of Forsayth.

A very old 'Golden Fleece' hand pump/gravity feed fuel bowser. This is in the front garden of a residence in the town of Forsayth.

There are many old relics scattered around town, this was the Mail Contractors mode of transport at one time. It is actually cut down from a sedan.

This huge contraption is a soft drink bottling machine.

This diesel/electric locomotive was once used by the mines around Forsayth.

A windmill fed cattle trough from one of the nearby stations. This windmill would still operate but it is disconnected at the pump shaft.

The remnants of an old boiler.

A stockpile of sleepers, of various types for the Savannahlander Railway. There is still a rail gang living and operating from Forsayth.