City to country

Last holiday, I embarked on an unforgettable trip to spend a week with my friend, Kadence Wilson, and her family on their sprawling grazing property located near Julia Creek in North West Queensland.

While I was initially apprehensive about the considerable distance and the remote nature of this destination, my experience turned out to be nothing short of extraordinary, leaving me wishing for a longer stay.

The adventure kicked off with a flight to Mt Isa, where Kadence’s mum picked us up, and we headed to Dajarra (150km south of Mt Isa) to meet her dad and brother at a campdrafting event.

This three-day event was so much fun watching the skilful drafting and rodeo events, with lively music and dancing stretching into the evenings.

It was intriguing to observe Kadence in her element, her speech subtly transformed into a unique country dialect, and her usual reserved demeanour gave way to an outgoing, exuberant version of her that I barely recognized.

The Wilsons were fabulous and welcomed me with open arms, even her spirited younger brother, Zander, embraced my presence and introduced me to the intricacies of their farm life.

I loved working with their cattle, separating them into different yards, learning to horse ride, star gazing at night, and the magnificent sunsets.

The sunrises and sunsets in this remote landscape were unlike anything I had ever seen. The vast, unbroken horizon, flat and barren, painted a breathtaking canvas of colours that left me in awe.

This holiday instilled in me a profound respect for farming families and their unmatched dedication and work ethic. Their days begin at the crack of dawn and extend well into the evening, filled with demanding tasks like herding cattle, mending fences and checking water supplies.

I loved the way the family works together, especially during school holidays when the children actively participate in the daily operations.

Living in such a remote location, as the Wilsons do, presents unique challenges. Everyday conveniences that I often take for granted are luxuries there.

The nearest shopping destination is a five-hour drive away in Mt Isa, and this visit is a bi-monthly marathon that requires meticulous planning by Kadence’s mum Kimberley. There’s no quick trip to town for forgotten items. Local schools are absent, leading to Zander’s enrolment in the School of the Air, and any medical emergencies are managed by the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

Life in this remote location is far from easy, yet the Wilsons embrace it wholeheartedly, considering it their way of life and loving it.

For Kadence, who travels back home from Fairholme each holiday, it’s a LONG journey – a 24-hour bus ride or a full day of travel by plane and car. Her decision to relocate to Toowoomba and attend boarding school shows remarkable courage and determination.

My trip to the Wilsons’ grazing property was an incredible experience that provided me with an appreciation for the challenges and rewards of rural life and a profound respect for the Wilsons.

I must confess that after my holiday, I can see the allure of spending a gap year working on a North West Queensland property.