Bilpa Morea facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bilpa Morea
Bilpa Morea Location in Queensland
Floor elevation	200 ft (61 m)
Geography

Bilpa Morea is a very flat, hard area of land in the far southwest of Queensland, Australia. It's a type of dry lakebed called a claypan. You can find it near the town of Bedourie in the Shire of Diamantina. This special place is known for its smooth surface, which makes it interesting for some unique activities.

Exploring Bilpa Morea

Bilpa Morea is a natural wonder in the Australian outback. It is a large, flat area of land made of clay. These areas are often called "claypans." They form in dry regions where water collects after rain, then evaporates, leaving behind a hard, smooth surface.

What is a Claypan?

A claypan is like a natural, flat, and very hard ground. It's usually found in dry areas, often in deserts or semi-desert regions. When it rains, water gathers in these low spots. As the water dries up, it leaves behind a layer of fine clay. Over time, this clay gets packed down and becomes very smooth and hard. This makes claypans different from sandy deserts or rocky areas.

Where is Bilpa Morea Located?

Bilpa Morea is located in the extreme southwest of Queensland, Australia. It is close to the small town of Bedourie. This part of Australia is known for its vast, open landscapes and dry climate. The area is part of the Shire of Diamantina, which is a very large local government area with a small population.

Why Bilpa Morea is Special

Bilpa Morea's incredibly flat and hard surface makes it unique. This special feature has attracted attention for some very fast activities.

A Place for Speed Records

Because Bilpa Morea is so flat and smooth, it has been looked at as a possible place for land speed record attempts. A land speed record is when someone tries to drive a vehicle faster than anyone ever has before on land. To do this, you need a very long, perfectly flat, and hard surface. Bilpa Morea fits this description well, making it a potential spot for future record-breaking attempts.

What are Land Speed Records?

Land speed records are all about pushing the limits of speed. People design special cars or vehicles, often shaped like rockets, to go as fast as possible. These attempts usually happen on very large, flat dry lakebeds. The goal is to set a new world record for the fastest speed achieved on land.

Historical Discoveries at Bilpa Morea

Bilpa Morea is not just interesting for speed; it also holds secrets from the past. An important archaeological dig took place here, uncovering items left by early explorers.

The Burke and Wills Expedition

In 2009, an archaeological dig happened at Bilpa Morea. During this dig, researchers found items that were buried by the famous Australian explorers Burke and Wills. These explorers were on a big journey across Australia in 1861. They were trying to be the first to cross the continent from south to north. They buried some of their supplies and records along their route to pick up later. The items found at Bilpa Morea give us clues about their journey.

Uncovering the Past

Finding these items helps historians and archaeologists understand more about the Burke and Wills expedition. It shows us where they traveled and what challenges they faced. These discoveries help us learn about the history of exploration in Australia and the people who bravely ventured into unknown lands.