If you are travelling in outback Queensland, there is one place you just have to put on your list of ‘must do’s and that is the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail. The trail consists of 40 sculptures by local artist Milynda Rogers. We had an absolute blast driving the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail and highly recommend it to anyone who is into quirky artwork.
Location
The Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail is located just out of the small town of Aramac in Central West Queensland. Aramac is just over 65 kilometres north of Barcaldine or 127 kilometres northeast of Longreach. A detailed map of the trail is available at any of the local Visitor Information Centres or a PDF version is available HERE.
Driving The Trail
The Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail covers a distance of approximately 200 kilometres. We travelled the trail clockwise, starting on Eastmere Road. This section of the trail is fully sealed, but once you get past Lake Dunn and onto Ballyneety Road, the road is unsealed for the rest of the way back to Aramac.
Both Ballyneety Road and the Jericho-Aramac Roads are dry-weather roads only. Our suggestion is that both are suitable for high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles only.
The trail can be completed in around five hours, but if you want to make the most of all there is to see, we suggest taking a little longer. It took us nine hours, and we felt rushed towards the end.
Tips For Driving The Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail
It is pretty remote out here. There is no fuel and no shops, other than the kiosk at Lake Dunn, which is only open from Friday to Monday between April and September. Also, there is no phone reception until you get to Lake Dunn. There are no toilet facilities anywhere except at Lake Dunn. So we recommend that you:-
- Fuel up before you leave.
- Pack a picnic lunch to take with you (Lake Dunn is the perfect spot to stop for lunch)
- Carry some extra water with you it can get quite hot even in the middle of winter.
- Take a first aid kit with you.
- Let someone know where you are going and what time you are expecting to be back (even if it’s just a fellow camper)
- Be prepared to go to the toilet in the bush if you need to. As most of the trail runs through Private Property, make sure you leave no trace if you do need to go to the toilet.
- Keep an eye out for stock on the roads.
- Some parts of the unsealed road sections are badly corrugated or have deep sandy ruts in them
- If the area has received rain recently, the edges of the road may be very boggy
ABOUT THE ARTIST
The artist who created all the sculptures along the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail is local Milynda Rogers, aka Scrap Metal Sheila. A quote on her website says, “I am intrigued by old tools, motor parts and generally rubbish of all sorts. I love melting steel.” This can be seen in the materials she uses to create her artwork. Many of her sculptures feature rusty barbed wire, which is just amazing to see.
PICKING A FAVOURITE
We would have to say that picking a favourite is nearly impossible. They are all so cleverly done. So I will say that we found some that appealed to us more. For me, I loved the Returned Soldier. His location and the time of day that we were there (late afternoon) just added to the overall beauty of this piece. I also loved the Ram, but I couldn’t go past the Emu and Chicks because of quirkiness. The chick’s bodies were made out of motorcycle fuel tanks!
Brenden loved the Fighting Red Roos and the Frill Neck Lizard. He also identified many of the bits and pieces that have gone into making these sculptures.
OTHER THINGS TO SEE
WHITE STATION HEALING CIRCLE
Driving the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail is not just about the sculptures. The whole area is full of natural beauty and ever-changing landscapes.
On your way to Lake Dunn, stop at the White Station Healing Circle. This healing circle is connected to six others around the world. The circle is used for prayer, meditation and healing.
While there, climb up to the lookout above the healing circle. We were told that this area was used for the station owner’s daughter’s wedding. The view from the top is spectacular. Please note that the Healing Circle and lookout are on private property, so be respectful when you are there.
LAKE DUNN
Lake Dunn is a large freshwater lake located at the end of Eastmere Road. It is a very popular spot for camping, all types of water sports and bird watching.
You will find many places to set up camp along the foreshore area of the lake. There is even power available. There are also spotless showers, toilets, and washing machines.
Camping at Lake Dunn costs $10.00 per night for unpowered and $15.00 for power. It’s a beautiful spot, so it would be well worth the drive.
HORSETAILER’S GORGE
Almost at the end of the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail, you will find Horsetailer’s Gorge.
The easiest way to access it is to drive past the Returned Soldier sculpture and turn left. The track winds its way through an area that drovers once used. The gorge formed a natural barrier that kept their horses from straying at night time.
We finished off our day driving the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail by checking out the Brolgas. They looked fantastic in the late afternoon light.
ARAMAC
Aramac is just a tiny dot on the map, but it is a great spot to base yourself while you explore the surrounding area. In Aramac, you will find a shop and a pub, which also has free camping behind it.
When in Aramac, watch for the White Bulls dotted around town. They are a nod to the infamous cattle rustler, Harry Redford.
We chose to stay at the Aramac Camping Grounds, which has power and water and fantastic new amenities. It was $15.00 per night, but when you pay for two nights, you get three free.
The sites are not huge, and you choose your site based on what is available. Now (August 2022), it is $20 per night and the following night. If you stay longer, it is free. The amenities are clean and tidy.
There are also two other free camps and another campground for self-contained campers, which is $8.00 per night and must be booked online.
Find all the best places to camp with Camps Pendium. 1 guide for each state (7 total) with easy-to-read large text and full-sized photos.
Includes
PIN THIS:
Listen in to their podcast episode https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/travelling-and-working-around-australia/
Aramac is a top class town in every respect and visitors will be highly impressed with the hospitality and friendliness they will undoubtedly enjoy. Townsfolk are proud of their hometown and that sense of pride is clearly evident in the upgrade of facilities and the overall maintenance of parks, gardens and amenities.
Be sure to visit the Airport and pay homage to the fallen at the newly erected ANZAC Memorial. The Barcaldine Regional Council is to be highly commended for the continuing support it provides to this fine Outback Centre.
Aramac Camping Ground is now $20p/n for 2 nights.. then free for following nights. Ammenities are newish and very clean and tidy
Thanks for the information Wendy
I’ve updated the post.
This looks like a fun Outback activity. I’ll have to add it to my list. We didn’t do Aramac, we went straight from Barcaldine to Longreach.
It was such a great day out. We love anything that’s a bit different. Aramac has been a great spot to base ourselves for a couple of days too.