Rainfall soaking into higher country, in our case the New England region, slowly sinks underground through cracks in the granite, old fault lines, porous basalt and then moves underground until it emerges as a spring lower in the landscape.

A fascinating fact is that that the rain may not have fallen recently or nearby. Springs that breakout on Nordale may have entered the ground kilometres away. Springs in our area continue to flow through drought because they are releasing older stored groundwater from wetter times.

Mixed basalt and granite landscapes create perfect conditions for springs and permanent soaks.

The Delungra area has many soaks, springs and swampy areas which attracted Aboriginal people to the area. The name Delungra can be translated to reeds and waterholes from the language of these early inhabitants.

Just prior to our recent rain the spring at the willow trees on Nordale broke out. This is one of serveral springs on the farm. They can been identified by the reeds or rushes and the chorus of frogs in the area.

These springs can provide much needed water for stock who by nature will camp in the area of spring.

An old time farmer will often say that Springs break out in a dry time. This can be true if the ground has become dry and cracked allowing underground water to find a passage out.

Looking back to 2018, when we were encountering a major drought, an opportunity arose to employ Steve McCauley with his digger to dig out the spring in Mill grass. It was amazing how quickly it filled with beautiful fresh underground water. Barry made his last trip back to the farm at this time and he was astounded to see the water source it had become. He was so taken by this that he asked to be taken back one more time just to see it again and commit the image to his memory as it was so unknown to him.