"In the beginning"

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this blog are not necessarily the views of the blog management, (on the other hand, they are not necessarily not the views of the blog management).

No effort has been made to stay within the bounds of the truth in this blog as it has always been the view of the management that the truth should never be allowed to stand in the way of a good story.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Intercontinental Telegraph Lines

The vagaries of distance in the remote areas of Australia applied equally to communication between WA and the eastern half of the continent, where almost all of our meagre population lived.

This led to the construction of the Intercontinental Telegraph Line between Adelaide and Perth via the goldfields of Norseman, Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie a distance of 2,500 Km this line opened in 1877.






This photo shows the remains of the repeater station at the WA - SA border at Eucla, it is slowly being engulfed by the moving sand dunes and will in all probability disappear forever someday.



1877 was a big year for telephony in Australia as this was the year that a telegraph line was opened between Cooktown and the tip of Cape York Peninsular as well, this line remained in service for 100 years until closed in 1977.

A trip to Cape York still offers a true adventure to those who undertake it, (probably rates another post sometime) you can choose how exciting you want it to be as there are by-passes to the roughest parts, the problem is that these are also the most spectacular... so if you chicken out you also miss out!!!


Please click photos to enbiggen


The road/track varies between a wide graded (but always corrugated) surface to a deep rutted two wheel track





On the left are Elliot Falls a truly lovely spot and on the right the Cockatoo Creek crossing, one of many creeks to cross.







11 comments:

Puss-in-Boots said...

I've seen some TV docos on Cape York. It's pretty rugged country and one really needs to be well prepared to travel up there. I'd still love to do it...what an adventure! Lovely photos, Peter...are they of your vehicle?

Jeanette said...

OMG peter, Its a rough out there I wouldn't like to be on the road with all those ruts.I bet you both had wet feet by the time you got to dryland ..

Big Dave T said...

Wonder what kind of vehicle would work best traveling through creeks and over rutted roads. Certainly not my Chrysler mini-van. I think if I drove, I would want to caravan, just in case.

Dave said...

Beautiful pictures, great history lesson Peter.

Did you take the pictures on a visit there?

kenju said...

I love the photo of the falls, and it is good you captured the first one if it is slowly disappearing.

willowtree said...

You will see me disappearing from the "Followers" in the sidebar. I haven't dumped you! I still subscribe to your feed, but this following thing is screwing up my feedreader. Thanks Blogger.

LZ Blogger said...

Peter ~ At first I thought that top shot was snow instead of sand. (It must be getting closer) to winter here in the Midwest USA? I loved the shot of the Cockatoo Creek Crossing! ~ jb///

Christina said...

oooh, the waterfalls are beautiful...

Cliff said...

I loved the pics Peter. There was a lot of progress being made everywhere in the 80's and 90's. I think our little town got a telephone system in about 1890. I recently read in our church history that we got electric lighting in 1902.
I'll bet one would be hard pressed to find someone to run a telegraph who was non military.

Walker said...

Looks like a place with beauty and all the challenges that nature can throw at you.

Jamie Dawn said...

Oh, boy! Driving on that deeply rutted road would shake a person's liver out!!
I'd love to see those waterfalls firsthand.