beyond the black stump

Origin and development contested; possibly from the use of fire-blackened tree-stumps when providing directions to people, or from a particular black stump: see Wikipedia. Attested since the 20th century, and possibly developed in the 19th century.

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

beyond the black stump

1. (Australia, informal, idiomatic) In an extremely isolated place, remote from populated areas; in the middle of nowhere. Typically used to refer to outback areas.
   • 2002, John Perry, Quick and the Dead: Stawell and Its Race Through Time‎, page 118:

     While Millard did not shift from log cabin to White House, he did transport himself from beyond the Black Stump to strike it rich at Stawell.

   • 2004, Leon F. Williams, Rubies of Mogok, Trafford, page 104:

     “Just don't go gettin' serious,” Frank warned. “We don't want any trouble. We're gonna be beyond the black stump out there, not at the bloody Lennox Hotel.”

   • 2004, John Leonard Spencer, Waving Goodbye to a Thousand Flies‎, page 241:

     Kimberly, his eldest daughter who we love dearly, is very pregnant with our great grand daughter, the father of whom I have never met and who has shot through to the outback far beyond the black stump.

• See Thesaurus:remote place
• back o' Bourke
• back of beyond
• Woop Woop