Extract (Ireland to Channel Country)from:
The Great Trek of the Durack Family
From Ireland in 1855 to Kununurra North West Australia in 1885

as told by
Mary Durack
TREK OF THE DURACK FAMILY IS THE STORY OF AUSTRALIA ITSELF; HUGE, PIONEERING, AND TREMENDOUS IN CONCEPT”
Patsy Durack brought his family to Australia in 1855 to escape the Irish potato famine –he subsequently encouraged and sponsored many other Irish families to immigrate to Australia. One of Australia’s great droving exploits was the overlanding of 7520 head of cattle from Goulburn in NSW to the Kimberley district of WA by members of the Durack, Costello & MacDonald families.
”In December 1855 Grandfather (Patsy Durack) purchased 273 acres –in the vicinity of Dixon’s Creek about 12 miles north east of Goulburn…early in ’67 after 14 years in Australia, Grandfather started on his trek north in search of greener pastures –
Tthe family cavalcade moved out of Goulburn wending its way north along the Lachlan River–the first stages were comparatively easy travelling, over wheel made tracks and past farms and stations where they would sometimes linger for a day or so on the invitation of hospitable bush people (farmers).”
Forbes – Bogan Gate – Nyngan - Bourke
“…a month by easy stages to the Bogan gates…the route wound for about 150 miles northwest along the Lachlan and up the Bogan River to its junction with the Darling River…they made 8-10 miles a day over good country…2½months to Bourke, last outpost of NSW settlement.”

Bourke –Fords Bridge –Thargomindah
“…after replenishing their stores for the last time the party moved north…feeling their way up the inconsistent stream of the Warrego and across the Cuttaburra…they moved on to the sandy, treeless plains of the Paroo into an area of seemingly permanent springs…here, south of the border they established a depot.”

Thargomindah -Kyabra–Ray Station
“Stumpy Michael (Durack) and the native Cobbyhad set off…sixty-five miles north up the sprawling course of the Bulloo to somewhere about the site of the present town of Quilpie. Grandfather and his family settled on the Thilling-gurrawaterhole while the Costello party moved south…to where KyabraCreek swelled into a lake, seven miles long by half a mile wide.”350km
Ray Station
Patrick Tully and Sarah Durack “sold up everything and started out for Queensland. Their fourth son, and ninth child, was born in Parkes on the way –a few weeks later the family moved on –Patrick driving the wagon, with his wife Sarah and smaller children in a loaded spring cart, and the older ones driving the cattle and horses.”They took up Ray Station in 1874 and it still remains in the family today.