The Outback is a state of mind, not simply a line on the map, the more so in western Queensland. This is a land of sprawling cattle stations and sun-baked towns where some of Australia’s most enduring institutions were born, of characters larger than life; of pea-green rivers populated with yellowbelly, yabby and other elusive creatures; of homesteads both hospitable and historic.

Tonight, Windorah’s Western Star Hotel is hosting two rowdy contingents of jackaroos, partying on their day off. Last weekend’s annual yabby (crustacean) race was still a runaway success.

Up the road stands a tiny, weatherbeaten bungalow where an elderly man keeps watch from a rickety verandah. ‘Tarpot’ is a retired station hand, a former cattle ringer who still enjoys a rum. Mark the publican notes matter-of-factly, “we take a feed over to him at night”.

We’re out on Cooper Creek, fishing for yellowbelly. The fish will start biting when the river drops after a flood, says Brian, who musters cattle by helicopter when he’s not fishing. His mate Geoff is a kangaroo shooter, which explains the racks and fittings mounted all over his truck. In these towns whose population never reaches three digits, surnames become irrelevant; nicknames good enough.

These images from a road journey from Longreach out to Isisford, Yaraka, Windorah, Quilpie and Charleville were taken with Nikon D200 (10 mpx) using RAW format, all are available for licensing. Please visit www.travelgame.org.