Christmas Edition

G'day folks,

First of all, thank you for subscribing to my newsletter, and welcome to all new subscribers.

Christmas Edition of the Bush Telegraph. Time flies! I can't believe how quickly this year has passed. This is a pic of an Aussie Santa, of course :). It was taken in Loxton, S.A. in 1998.

The Bush Telegraph is the monthly newsletter of Rita's Outback Guide that'll inform you about

• updates on Rita's Outback Guide
• festivals and events in the Outback. If you're planning a trip, don't miss this great opportunity to include an unique Outback event to your itinerary!
• breaking news from the Outback and Australia
• Every now and then I will add a personal story from my numerous Outback trips.

If you like the Bush Telegraph, please pass it on to your friends, they might like it, too.

* So what's new on the Outback Guide? *

This is an overview about new pages on the Outback Guide since the last newsletter.

Beyond Birdsville - The channel country beyond Birdsville is black stump country, forlorn places, shimmering mirages, a great way to experience the Outback. I thought the route from Birdsville to Boulia was even more remote and lonely than the Birdsville Track itself.

Boulia - Boulia is home of the spooky Min Min Light, the ancient myth that has never been solved. Want to know more about this ghostly phenomena?

Adventure Travel Australia - Adventure travel Australia - the Outback is still last frontier country. Looking for a thrill?

Birdwatching Australia - I thought it is about time to write some chapters about the stunning Australian wildlife and nature, so I started with the birds.

The dancing Brolga - The dancing Brolga is the most elegant and stunning Australian bird.

* Coming Outback events *

There are not many Outback events for the next two months. Is it too hot in Australia? Perhaps. The big events back of beyond are terminated during the Aussie winter.

There is, however, one big event, not actually in the Outback. But it is the # 1 festival for country music lovers. And country music is about the Outback, mostly, and so the circle closes :).

Fri 18 to Sun 27 Jan 2008- Tamworth, NSW - The annual country music festival is one week full of music. There's rarely a pub, a park, or a street in Tamworth without music during the festival. Concerts, buskers, line-dancer, whatever you want, it is there.

The grand final of the Tamworth country music festival is the night of the awards. The 36th CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia, will be staged on Saturday, 26th January, 2008 at the Tamworth Regional Entertainment Centre (TREC).

The first Tuesday in November was Melbourne Cup Day. It's the day when the nation stops, to watch the race, and to have fun. You see this is Australia's most important thoroughbred race.

That reminds me on a huge disappointment. A couple of years ago I was in Victoria, and I wanted to visit Hanging Rock. Do you know the book by Joan Lindsay? The story is about a girls' school picnic on Valentines Day, and the mysterious disappearing of a few girls. All the mystery and paranormal happened at Hanging Rock. And I wanted to get a feeling of that haunted place!

So! When I arrived at Hanging Rock it was crowded and noisy. Radios and portable TVs roared, kids were running around, a never ending stream of people climbed the rock. I was baffled! No mystery! Then it dawned to me. It was Melbourne Cup Day, and everyone in Victoria was on the move. I just was at the wrongest day at this place!

BTW, the winner this year was "Efficient", the first Victoria Derby winner since the legendary Phar Lap to come back a year later and win the Melbourne Cup.

Now I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. For the readers who don't celebrate Christmas, I just say have a good time.

Until next month.

If you want to know more about Outback events, or probably want your favourite Outback event listed, please contact me at The Bush Telegraph