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B ME Bites 56: Epic Aussie Van Life Road Trip - Gold Coast to Uluru and Back – Part 7

From Musical Fences to Aviation Legends: Winton to Tambo

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This week’s B ME Bites Trivia Question:

Exploring new places can help improve mental flexibility and reduce stress by breaking routine patterns. - True or False?

Answer at the bottom of this week’s newsletter

Welcome to edition #56 of B ME Bites! From quirky fences that sing to unexpected snake warnings, our journey from Winton to Tambo was anything but ordinary!

"Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong..." – Starting the day with a nod to Banjo and the bush ballad that still echoes through Winton's red dust.

Epic Aussie Van Life Road Trip - Gold Coast to Uluru and Back – Part 7

From Musical Fences to Aviation Legends: Winton to Tambo

From early morning music fences to fashion through the ages, this leg of the journey served up nostalgia, surprises, and a true taste of outback charm.

Winton: Musical Fences, Family Cafés and a Dash of Snake Caution

We kicked off the day with a wander around the North Gregory Hotel before heading out to explore Winton’s quirks. First stop: the Musical Fence. Yep, a fence you can actually play music on. Not sure we’ll be releasing an album anytime soon, but it was a fun way to start the day. On the way to the Musical Fence, we also passed a sign proudly marking Winton as the birthplace of Qantas—just another reminder of how much Aussie history is packed into this little outback town.

Winton knows how to make noise and history. Between plucking out a tune at the Musical Fence and stumbling across the birthplace of Qantas, this little outback town made a big impression.

Then came Arno’s Wall — a giant concrete wall filled with everything from lawnmowers to typewriters. Seriously, if it ever existed, it might be in that wall.

One man’s junk is another man’s concrete masterpiece. Arno’s Wall is part art, part mystery, and 100% worth a wander.

We wandered the main street and got a good chuckle from the blackboard quotes lining the outside of Tattersalls Hotel. Brekky was at the Winton Newsagency & Travel Service Café — a total hidden gem. The café was tucked inside the newsagency, and it was a real family affair. The kids were helping out, there was a cute gift shop corner, and a peaceful little backyard area where you could eat if you wanted. Out the back, a garden shed full of outdoor knick-knacks and a side gate led to a big carpark with public loos. If you're ever passing through Winton, it's the perfect spot to stop for a feed and a reset.

The humour here hits harder than the outback sun—Tattersalls Hotel had us giggling without even stepping inside.

We made it to the Waltzing Matilda Centre just as it opened at 9am. Even with warnings about brown snakes posted everywhere (yikes), we’re so glad we went. It was beautifully done — full of music, history, and outback spirit. We had a good chat with the young lady at reception before hitting the road again, one adventure down and many more to go.

Banjo out front, Waltzing Matilda underfoot, and brown snake warnings all around—this centre was unforgettable for more than just the exhibits!

Longreach: Quick Dash Through Qantas History

We rolled into Longreach and found out (surprise!) the Qantas Founders Museum was closing early for summer hours. But with just 10 minutes to spare, the amazing staff let us in for a whirlwind tour. We soaked up as much as we could in a short time — including a timeline of Qantas uniforms that took us on a fabulous fashion flashback. It was absolutely worth the dash!

Two Aussie icons in one shot: a Qantas jet and Princess Panda! So grateful the museum let us in just before closing—it was a whirlwind, but so worth it.

Barcaldine: A Quick Stop with Big Meaning

We pulled into Barcaldine for a quick visit to the Tree of Knowledge Memorial, marking the birthplace of the Australian labour movement. It was a short stop, but a meaningful one. We didn’t try the town’s artesian water (we were still recovering from the experience in Winton!), but it’s another Great Artesian Basin town if you're feeling adventurous.

Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, learning about Aussie labour history, and admiring artistic water signs—Barcaldine packed a lot into one pit stop.

And just like that, we were crossing the Tropic of Capricorn on our way to Tambo — no fanfare, but cool to note we’d officially re-entered the tropics.

Tambo: Hearty Feeds and Outback Hospitality

We made it to Tambo before dark and checked in to the Tambo Mill Motel & Caravan Park. After getting settled, we followed local advice (always the best kind) and headed across the road to the Tambo Tavern for dinner. It didn’t disappoint. The food was hearty and delicious, the staff were lovely, and the dining room walls featured some amazing murals — a little gallery with your meal.

This stunning sunset over the windmill at our Tambo stay was the perfect outback goodnight. Not pictured: full bellies and happy hearts after a hearty pub dinner.

Road Trip Lessons So Far

  • Outback towns have the best-kept secrets — from musical fences to cafés hidden inside newsagents.

  • Qantas uniforms from the '50s were seriously stylish.

  • Sometimes the best part of the day is a solid pub meal and a great chat with locals.

💬 What’s your favourite unexpected find on a road trip? Hit reply and tell me!

Next up: Part 8 - Sweet Surprises, Ginger Goodness and Saying Goodbye

In Case You Missed It: B ME HQ Weekly Recap

🎁 Gift giving just got a meaningful makeover. Last week’s podcast, B ME Podcast 41: Better Gifting – Thoughtful DIY Ideas for Healthier Chemical-Free Living, shared why it’s time to rethink what we give—and how we give it. From toxic-free body scrubs to bath salts and room sprays, this episode explored practical, simple recipes that show your love without compromising health. Plus, powerful reasons to start making the swap to natural alternatives for the people who matter most.

🎧 Listen to the episode on your preferred podcast platform.

🎥 Watch the video on YouTube:

☀️ B ME Sunrise Bites – Week 3 Highlights:

This week brought a beautiful mix of softness, surprises and serenity. There were fog-draped mornings, reframed perspectives, and a reminder that clarity often shows up when you pause for just a moment longer. From proud puppy cameos to "better than coffee" moments, these Sunrise Bites kept the magic rolling.

🎥 Watch the Week 3 Highlight Reel here:

📺 Or explore the full journey on the B ME Sunrise Bites YouTube Playlist
(Remember to hit subscribe while you’re there!)

🎯Weekly Challenge

Your mission for this week, if you choose to accept it, is to do the following:

Slow down on purpose—even just once.

Take a moment in your day to pause. Breathe. Look again.
What’s right in front of you that you’ve been rushing past?
Maybe it’s the light through the window, the sound of birds, or something your mind has been trying to tell you.

You don’t have to go anywhere to go deeper.
🌅 What shifts when you choose stillness—on purpose?

If you need some help, feel free to hit reply - let’s help you get started if you’re stuck!

B ME Bites is deliberately sent on a Friday morning (Aussie time) so that where ever you are in the world, you have the weekend to give yourself the gift of implementing a small change towards a better you. What will that small change be? Is there a change that you have been trying to make and haven’t yet succeeded? Give it another go, applying the above - you can do it!

Resource Roundup

Below is a resource list that has been created with you in mind. Whenever something new that could be helpful is discovered or created, it’s added to the list, so check it out from time to time. If you’re strapped for time, once you open the page below, click on Resource List in the top menu, then click on the “Health Tools” link for a list of items that could be helpful on your path to a better you.

Click on the graphic to access the resources

The answer to this week’s trivia question is:

Answer: True

When stepping into new environments—whether a new town or an unfamiliar experience—it challenges the brain to adapt and stay present. This kind of novelty boosts mental flexibility, reduces stress by interrupting habitual thought patterns, and can even elevate mood. It’s one reason why travel and adventure often leave people feeling refreshed and inspired.

Thanks for reading and the hope is that you found something helpful inside this issue. If you did, remember to share it with others whom could also find it helpful, using this link: https://bmebites.beehiiv.com

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Hit reply and answer either 1,2 or 3, and, if the answer is 2 or 3, give the deets on what would make it a 1 for you!:

  1. Loved it!

  2. It was OK

  3. Meh!

If you have an inspiring story, or a helpful tip or strategy to share, or if there is something specific you would like covered, please fill out the form below so that it can be shared with the community. Please note that this is a subscriber survey, so you may have to subscribe first (hint, hint…… 😉) : https://bmebites.beehiiv.com/forms/8d0dfdd1-4290-4e40-bff9-1f61b812c661

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Until next week, keep taking one S.T.E.P.S step at a time! (If you missed the issue explaining The S.T.E.P.S Formula, you can check that out here)

Warm regards,

Shari Ware Chief Encouragement Officer at B ME Bites

PS - Public service announcement from Tattersalls: if your friends aren’t declaring their love over drinks at 2am… are they even real friends? 😏 #OutbackWisdom

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