Montana Aussie Adventures with Erin-Jay

White sandy beaches, tropical sunshine with magnificent views and, of course, the almighty Daintree; Queensland is known as the sunshine state back home and there are more than just a few reasons as to why.

As I talk with friends both here in the U.S. and back home, there are always those few little tidbits that a true Queenslander can pick up whether they grew up in the state or just lived there for a short while.

Over the weekend I had a few hours where I could get out and enjoy the sunshine under the four-o-six sky and for the first time in over a year I felt like a Queenslander once again.

There is something magical about the state where I grew up back home; there are pieces of Queensland, and of course North Queensland that never leave you. Funnily enough, one of those is sitting on a sandy beach under the bright sun that just breathes life back into the soul.

Just like home there are always so many brilliant little spots that are a favorite amongst locals. For “secret keeping” sake, let’s call this little spot where I ventured to a Billabong. Though it is not traditionally what is constituted as a billabong, it certainly had that same feel.

Now some may have heard of the word billabong, however the one I am talking about is not the popular swim wear that is usually associated with the surfing world.

If you know what I am talking about, bare with me for a minute so I can catch others up. Billabong is probably most widely recognizable through the infamous song Waltzing Matilda, which has on more than one occasion been mistaken as the national anthem of Australia. An off the beaten track waterhole for basic descriptions.

Oh yes, it has happened a few times at big sporting events, even an Olympics if I’m not wrong. Instead of playing Advance Australia Fair (which is our National Anthem), it was Waltzing Matilda that played and any Aussie would gladly have that play if the mistake was to happen.

So as the song goes,” Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong under the shade of a coolibah tree, He sang as he watched and waited ‘til his billy boiled. You’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, you’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me. He sang as he watched and waited ‘til his billy boiled, you’ll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me.”

Although I wasn’t near a coolibah tree and there aren’t any jumbucks around (kanagroo), that small beach brought the Waltzing Matilda within me alive once more.

It always amazes me and for one I feel grateful for the sneak peek of local hot spots; but it tends to bring me back to fresh eyes over and over again.

Like I have mentioned in the past, every week, every adventure I tend to see new and exciting places and people even if I have already enjoyed the adventure once before.

All this got me thinking that Sanders County may just have a little of Queensland amongst its magical mountains.

I always describe Townsville as the true gateway to experience Australia. A vibrant rural city with the tropical rainforest and Daintree on one side, the white sandy beaches of the Whitsundays on the other side, the true blue outback in your back yard and the Great Barrier Reef just off the front porch.

Funnily enough I tend to be doing something similar when it comes to describing Sanders County here in the mighty Northwest of Montana.

So in the same breath, thank you once again for showing me that Queensland can be anywhere. Last week was proof that Montana can be just like home.

With you’re Montana styled “Billabong,” there is no doubt that you are beautiful one day and perfect the next.

Until next week Sanders County…HooRoo