The Outback's Not So Wayback Anymore

The Outbacks not so way outback any more There's a mighty highway where the diesels roar And the old-time waterholes had closed their doors No the outbacks not so way outback any more The old characters had gone and said goodnight From the bar rooms and the boos ups and the fights Old faces and old places only stand In the memories of the ones who understand I sold a set of firsts in '61 We took our time and took time off the fun I lost some sweat and drank my share of beer The times can change a lot in 30 odd years The old petrol stops where up and hard to beat And you could stay for a few hours or a week But when you left your head was pretty sore No the outbacks not so way back any more When I go past New Dunmarrah? I think back Held Heelie? started out there in a shack I stayed there for a week one time I think N'old tought me how Rum was a friendly drink Now everything is for tourism and speed And the tourist's like grasshoppers take the lead The highway signs display their message clear Air-conditioned rooms, hot takeaways, cold beers Don't get me wrong the outbacks good to know And there's still some good old places left to go But no longer it's the land of lot's of time Little old quiet spots are harder now to find Oh I like to get away from noise and speed Got some good mates and some places up my sleeve Where a man can share the bush to his desire With the moon and stars and a good gituar No the outbacks not so way outback any more And there are video tapes from every distant shore And the old-time waterholes are just no more No the outbacks not so way back any more No the outbacks not so way back any more The outbacks not so way back any more