Thursday, 23 July 2015

Longest Fence!

Here in Australia there is a long fence.
The fence was built during the 1880s and finished in 1885.  Now this fence is the longest in the World!

The fence stretches 5,614 kms (3,488 mile) through thousands of kms of arid land.

Main reason for having this ever so long fence is to keep the dingoes out of the fertile land of our continent to protect the sheep in many areas.  This has been partly successful, though dingoes can still be found in parts of the southern states of Australia.

We visited this fence at Coober Pedy where it's very arid.




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Location: Coober Pedy SA 5723, Australia

59 comments:

  1. JeannekeThursday, 23 July 2015 at 00:19:00 GMT+10

    I follow your journey with great interest. Such a pleasure.
    Is this fence the same as the Rabbit-proof fence? I read Doris Pilkington's book and now I am wondering...
    Thanks for sharing your experiences.
    Cheers,

    Jeanneke.

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 10:45:00 GMT+10

      Hello Jeanneke,
      No it's not the rabbit fence. I selected a small clipping for you to read from Wikipedia.
      'The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, formerly known as the Rabbit Proof Fence, the State Vermin Fence, and the Emu Fence, is a pest-exclusion fence constructed between 1901 and 1907 to keep rabbits and other agricultural pests, from the east, out of Western Australian pastoral areas.'
      Lovely to read that you are enjoying my travels...

      Delete
    2. JeannekeFriday, 24 July 2015 at 02:26:00 GMT+10

      Thanks for your information!
      Travel safely, enjoy!
      Looking forward to new updates.
      Cheers,

      Jeanneke.

      Delete
  2. AdamThursday, 23 July 2015 at 00:24:00 GMT+10

    wow that's pretty cool

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  3. LindaThursday, 23 July 2015 at 00:24:00 GMT+10

    Very neat!

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 10:46:00 GMT+10

      Yes Linda it a fairly neat fence in places, but requires a lot of up keep.

      Delete
  4. CraigThursday, 23 July 2015 at 01:46:00 GMT+10

    That's a remarkable statistic and a remarkable fence Margaret! Those old timers knew how to build something which lasts (not like today).

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 10:49:00 GMT+10

      A major feat back in the 1800's Craig, even today I can't I imagine it being done without so much red tape...

      Delete
  5. StrayerThursday, 23 July 2015 at 02:24:00 GMT+10

    The dingos can't jump that? I also read Rabbit Proof Fence, then saw the movie and it was amazing.

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 11:14:00 GMT+10

      No the dingo apparently don't jump the fence....and the Rabbit Fence is a different fence.

      Delete
  6. StrayerThursday, 23 July 2015 at 02:24:00 GMT+10

    I love reading of your travels and of Andrew's too. It's like being there almost. Thank you.

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  7. Existe Sempre Um LugarThursday, 23 July 2015 at 03:33:00 GMT+10

    Boa tarde, desconhecia que podia existir um cerca com a dimensão a que se refere, sua viagem é encantadora, as fotos são maravilhosas.
    AG

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 11:17:00 GMT+10

      I don't think a great number of people are aware of such a fence as the dingo one.
      And, thank you.

      Delete
  8. RosemaryThursday, 23 July 2015 at 03:34:00 GMT+10

    I saw the film Rabbit-Proof Fence and am assuming that this is the same fence, although I could imagine rabbits burrowing under that very easily.

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 11:18:00 GMT+10

      No it's not the same fence Rosemary. The rabbit fence is in Western Australia only..

      Delete
  9. GosiaThursday, 23 July 2015 at 04:20:00 GMT+10

    Margaret it is wonderful fence, I didn't know you have the longest fence in the worls it is like Chinese Wall. I can't imagine such long fence and how to maintain it in a good shape..

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 11:19:00 GMT+10

      It is likened to the Chinese Wall..maintenance must be a night mare..

      Delete
  10. Elephant's ChildThursday, 23 July 2015 at 05:36:00 GMT+10

    A bit like painting the Harbour Bridge - the maintenance is endless, and never done. You have me wondering whose responsibility it is. Land owners? Local councils?
    Such a huge undertaking, and I doubt it could be done now.

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 11:27:00 GMT+10

      Definitely endless work on the fence. We didn't see any holes in it, there are a few gates along the fence where we looked. I found the below on the internet written in 2015...
      The dingo fence is still actively maintained.

      In South Australia, The Dog Fence Board administers and maintains the fence. A levy is charged to graziers to fund wages for maintenance and patrol workers. In Queensland the Wild Dog Barrier Fence Panel provides similar administrative assistance, as does the Wild Dog Destruction Board in New South Wales (NSW).

      Too much red tape these days but if Dingos, Rabbits and other animals kept destroying animals and stock, then something would be done today..

      Delete
  11. Linda KayThursday, 23 July 2015 at 06:05:00 GMT+10

    Never had to worry about dingos in Texas. So interesting to read your posts about your native country and the animals you have there.

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 11:29:00 GMT+10

      I guess you don't have to. You would have other animals to be concerned about..that we might not have.

      Delete
  12. Terra Thursday, 23 July 2015 at 06:09:00 GMT+10

    What a truly long fence! Do the dingoes dig under it? Does it keep rabbits out, I hear they are a bit of a plague in Australia, but I may be wrong.

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 12:29:00 GMT+10

      I should imagine that the fence would go under the earth as well quite away actually, dingos and rabbits do dig. I don't think there are dingos or rabbits living in that area of the photos. There is a map on the Internet somewhere which tells where the dingos are in Australia...I do believe once they were a real nuisance along with the rabbits and other animals (so hence the fence) but probably not to a lesser degree today.

      Delete
  13. VENTANA DE FOTOThursday, 23 July 2015 at 06:11:00 GMT+10

    After admiring your photos, step to answer your question.

    The image of the star, is a sunflower plant , which has been applied the effect kaleidoscope In one image I did transformations , making a different processing for each image.

    Therein lies the mystery.

    Kisses

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 12:32:00 GMT+10

      Thanks for your reply. Your photo looked like a kaleidoscope, it's wonderful what can be done digitally.

      Delete
  14. HuggybearThursday, 23 July 2015 at 07:07:00 GMT+10

    I believe that the wiring of this fence goes a certain depth underground also - thus is some deterrent
    to the burrowing rabbits.
    I also believe that the maintenance of the fence is the responsibility of the various state governments.
    Unfortunately the main breakers of the fence now are the feral camels and goats. Brumby horses,
    emus and kangaroos also have no respect for the fence.
    The maintenance and checking vehicle type marks are clearly shown in one of the
    above photos !!!!!
    Great photos of this amazing fence and the reason for it's existence.
    Cheers
    Colin

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    1. HuggybearThursday, 23 July 2015 at 08:19:00 GMT+10

      Good God! Spelling - TYRE marks - not TYPE marks! Tut tut!
      Colin

      Delete
    2. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 12:40:00 GMT+10

      I'm always making spelling errors often due to predicative text,nit often puts the wrong word or spells it differently, but on the other hand it's good...

      Delete
    3. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 12:46:00 GMT+10

      I'm near enough positive it does go a certain distance under. There is file on the Internet with specifications put out by the NSW Government on the specs for building a dingo fence 'if you must'.

      There has been a lot of who ha as to who looks after the fence and repairs it....have written that in a comment.

      You are correct on who breaks the fence these days, modern times...things change.
      Thanks Colin...hot day today, too hot to sit outside where I'm at the moment...going into the A/C and have a long drink of cool water...

      Delete
  15. CynthiaThursday, 23 July 2015 at 08:37:00 GMT+10

    Such a desolate landscape and you caught the feeling well. I remember first r adding about the fence when I was in grade school and became fascinated in all things Australian. I'm enjoying yourself your trip!

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 12:35:00 GMT+10

      Thank you. I'm enjoying doing my blog as I travel. I will of course put more photos etc. when I arrive home mid September..

      Delete
  16. CynthiaThursday, 23 July 2015 at 08:38:00 GMT+10

    YOUR trip!

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  17. AnonymousThursday, 23 July 2015 at 08:41:00 GMT+10

    Maintaining the fence must be a huge job.

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  18. MerlesworldThursday, 23 July 2015 at 10:19:00 GMT+10

    It's hard enough to keep mine up when we had three dogs but it would be a massive job to keep this one working.
    Merle............

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 12:37:00 GMT+10

      It sure would be and I wonder how many times parts of it have been replaced...

      Delete
  19. AnonymousThursday, 23 July 2015 at 10:57:00 GMT+10

    Very interesting.

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 12:38:00 GMT+10

      Mildred it is interesting especially when I researched the fence, I'm learning..

      Delete
  20. The Yum ListThursday, 23 July 2015 at 13:09:00 GMT+10

    Is this also known as the "rabbit proof fence"?

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 13:12:00 GMT+10

      Yes and no. The Rabbit fence is in WA and was built in the very early 1900's
      The Dingo Fence was also built to keep the rabbits out way back when!

      Delete
  21. GwenThursday, 23 July 2015 at 14:59:00 GMT+10

    wow, thanks for teaching me something I didn't know!

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  22. Buttons ThoughtsThursday, 23 July 2015 at 22:28:00 GMT+10

    Wow M " Longest in the World" that is true no doubt. I love seeing your travel pics and hearing the interesting history and facts that go with the, Enjoy your trip my friend. Hug G xo

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    1. Margaret DThursday, 23 July 2015 at 23:52:00 GMT+10

      Yes it's true according to my research..thank you...Hugs M xox

      Delete
  23. 黄清华 Wong Ching WahFriday, 24 July 2015 at 10:20:00 GMT+10

    It's 2 very rich man/woman shouting 'this is mine, that is yours' ! (and by the way, there are all watching an approaching Kavadi attam dance ('burden' dance I think) at the annual Thaipusam festival)

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  24. diane bFriday, 24 July 2015 at 15:55:00 GMT+10

    A big fence for a big country. I saw it in South Australia near lake Eyre. It is amazing how they are continually maintaining it.

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  25. RiverFriday, 24 July 2015 at 18:01:00 GMT+10

    "Longest fence in the world", you'd think with such an honour it would look a bit more...spectacular, but at least it does the job. mostly. I always thought it was to keep the rabbits out, but that's a different fence is it? The rabbit-proof fence.

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  26. RiverFriday, 24 July 2015 at 18:11:00 GMT+10

    Okay, it isn't the rabbit fence.

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    1. Margaret DFriday, 24 July 2015 at 21:12:00 GMT+10

      No it's not the rabbit fence...you got it right. Would think it could be more flashy, but then again that would be very costly..

      Delete
  27. UnknownSaturday, 25 July 2015 at 07:42:00 GMT+10

    I did not know that all of the all the dingo cattle dogs I had been around years before really weren't dingoes until I saw Quigley Down Under sometime in the '90s. Since that was before my introduction to the internet, I have a good excuse for my ignorance. By the way, the movie is truly great, if you have not seen it yet. Another Australian-based movie I love is The Man From Snowy River (the first one).

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    1. Margaret DSaturday, 25 July 2015 at 20:57:00 GMT+10

      I too liked the Man From Snowy River...haven't seen the other movie will look out for it..

      Delete
  28. BlogorattiSaturday, 25 July 2015 at 18:18:00 GMT+10

    That is one long fence indeed. Thanks for sharing. Greetings!

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  29. Margaret DSaturday, 25 July 2015 at 20:57:00 GMT+10

    You're welcome..

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  30. UnknownMonday, 18 January 2016 at 16:01:00 GMT+11

    Your website is terribly informative and your articles are wonderful. John B

    ReplyDelete

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