About 2.5hours driving, south west of Mount Isa, almost on the Queensland/Northern Territory border is Urandangi (You-Rah-Dan-gee). It is most commonly spelt with the "E" on the end. It is also often referred to as "The Dangi" (Dan-gee)
For a VERY little town - it has alot of heart and plenty of character. Whether you make your way to Urandangi via Mount Isa-Boulia Road - or via the Plenty Highway from Alice Springs in the West - you will see plenty of signage to let you know the Urandangi Bush Resort is not far away.
The little pub, come local store - will suck you in for a 'coldie' and Pam will let you in on a few secrets, and give you a few tips on the things to see around the place while you continue on your travels.
Urandangi is located on "Georgina Stock Route" from Dajarra in the south to Camooweal and onto to Burketown in in the North. The Route follows the Georgina River and all along this route are bores and creeks that run off from the main Georgina River. This route would be followed at muster times (March/April) to move stock North for feed purposes (fattening) during the 'dry season', mainly due to that area having plenty of feed after a 'wet season'. Then during November/December - the stock would be moved South again before the wet season set in up north. During the early 1930's - this valuable source of food and water was closed due to a drought that lasted many years.
Although the townsite of Urandangi has been around since 1885, it was not until 1920, that a store was built to cater for all the 'Drovers' and hard working folk that worked the musters on the Route. The local indigenous people have used Urandangi as a meeting place for many years on their travels.
Many station holders and managers rely on Urandangi and its pub/store to provide them with much needed items when the trip into town (Alice Springs about 6hours drive - or Mount Isa 2.5hrs ) is just too far away.
On the way into Urandangi - you will see plenty of signage to let you know you are getting close. Each of these signs has been written on an old car bonnet! Once in town you will see the memorial to the "Unknown Traveller" - this was a little man/gnome - who had a lovely spot on the way into town - but during the flood in March 2011 - he refused to budge - and as such 'drowned' - and the down gave him a proper burial.
The local cemetery is the resting place of about eight Chinese Market Gardeners. There were many Chinese migrants who made Urandangi their home - they worked as gardeners, and help builds stone crossings for the rivers, and built rock walls for dams to help with water collection for stock.
Today - Urandangi is a quiet town with a small general store/pub which can also supply you with UNLEADED and DIESEL fuel. Once a year they hold a "Get to know your Neighbour" day (which can see property and station workers travelling for in excess of two hours to take part) - where all the station folk come into town and the kids all get to play together.
The hotel is keen to keep the history of Urandangi alive and well - and would welcome any photos or stories you have, regarding "Who and When" and the names of people they could possibly contact to get a bit more information.
Whilst you are in Urandangi make sure you check out the collection of LISTER and SOUTHERN CROSS motors. Local man "Ross" has an ambition to have the biggest collection of these motors in one area. Can you help him out? Do you have any on your property - just sitting around getting rusty and collecting cobwebs? If so, then give the pub a call on 07 47484988.
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| On the Road to Urandangi - though the windscreen - moon can still be seen |
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| The view in the rearview mirror |
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| 100km's further along - it is still dusty - but the colour has changed! |
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| Warm Beer. Lousy Food. Bad Service. NOT TRUE any of it! One of the best experiences you will have is travelling to Urandangie. |
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| I believe this to be a Mulga Snake. These snakes are DANGEROUSLY VENOMOUS. The good thing about this particular specimen is that it is dead! Even so - this did not stop me from shaking and expecting it to jump to life!! |
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| The Unknown Traveller - was just a small man (gnome) who would not budge when the rain and flood came. The locals of Urandangi gave him a fitting farewell. |
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| The Urandangi Pub. There is a wonderful collection of all sorts of things here - take the time to drop in and have a look. You may just see something you have never seen before. |
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| At The Urandangi Pub - you will see all sorts of things - here Pam feed the ducks, chickens, turkeys, geese, dogs, cats and ponies - frozen bread! "On a hot day, frozen bread for them is like an ice cream for us!" States Pam. |
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| A three day old peacock chick. |
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| The Dangi Pub Toilets!! |
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| The Urandangi Pub - March 2014 - and below about 100 years earlier! |
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| Image can be sourced from: https://www.library.uq.edu.au/fryer/hume/web/954.html |
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| A growing collection of Lister and Southern Cross motors. If you have any of these motors not in use - contact the Urandangi Pub and they will gladly taken them off your hands |
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| Georgina River - still flowing all the way to the Lake Eyre basin. |
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| We of the Never Never |
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| Queensland - Northern Territory Border |
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| Oops! Spelling Mistake at the border! |
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| Looking back to Queensland |
The trip to Urandangi is best tried during the "Dry Season". Although we have had an exceptionally dry "Wet Season" our first attempt to get to Urandangi was a failure - due to a storm that managed to bring much rain to the south of Mount Isa (yet very little to the town of Mount Isa!). Due to a flooded creek and very boggy roads - we had to turn around - and come back another day. Below are the images of our failed attempt to get to Urandangi in February, 2014.
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| On the road to Urandangi from Mount Isa |
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| Turn Right at the Bonnet! This is the Urandangi North Road - and the best option for a short cut to the Plenty Highway |
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| Moonah Creek Crossing - put a stop to Plan A of getting to Urandangi |
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| So we tried Plan B - Urandangi South Road |
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| Everything was going well - under the baking hot sun - but little did we know that although the road looked dry - it was very very wet and boggy underneath |
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| Eventually we had no choice but to turn around and come home. |
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| A beautiful view from atop a small rise on the Dajarra - Mount Isa road |
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