black stump, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

black stump n.

[SE black + stump, a free-standing post or pillar]

(Aus.) a symbolic marker that divides the known or ‘civilized’ world from the unknown wastelands beyond; usu. in phrs., e.g. this side of the black stump.

1936		Cairns Post (Qld) 23 May 4/2: He’s the greatest car bargain specialist this side of the black stump. Glue your glimmers on these gifts.
1953		N. Handford Carcoola Holiday 207: Every crow [...] this side of the Black Stump knows old McCairn’s not a bad bloke.
1962		C. Rohan Delinquents 151: Brisbane, best little town this or any side of the Black Stump.
1968		S. Gore Holy Smoke 82: When they finally get back to Joshua they tell him how this Jericho is the best place that side of the black stump. ‘She’s a good drop,’ they say.
1986		R. Beckett Dinkum Aussie Dict. 9: Black Stump: The official signpost at the beginning of nowhere.
2000		S. Maloney Big Ask 98: Running around making a nuisance of himself at every Stuhl depot and office from here to the Black Stump.
2006		Pip Wilson Faces in the Street 404: He didn’t realise that a fire can get away on a man almost as quickly in Pommyland as it can out near the Black Stump.

In phrases

beyond the black stump (adj.)

1. far away, beyond civilization (cites 1882, 1895 may be literal).

1882		Hamilton Spectator (Vic.) 21 Oct. 2/5: We look back to those pleading tones in which Mr. Shiels implored Mr. Bent, about six weeks ago, to carry the Coleraine line a few miles beyond the black stump, so as to reach his deeply-wronged constituents.
1895		Camperdown Chronicle (Vic.) 28 May 2/4: These considerations should be sufficient to induce co-operation in the effort to have the terminus carried beyond the notorious black stump.
1948		Maryborough Chronicle 21 Jan. 2/5: Harry, says he is going to a little place he knows of far beyond the black stump.
1956		N. Shute 'bk title] Beyond the Black Stump.
1967		J. Wynnum I’m a Jack, All Right 18: ‘I’m driving this car out to a one horse town called Eucharong.’ ‘Never heard of it.’ ‘You wouldn’t. It’s way back o’Bourke. Beyond the Black Stump’.
1972		A. Chipper Aussie Swearers Guide 66: The same cocky will get even more snaky (angry) if you name his place of orighin as one of these very rural outposts: The Never-Never, Woop Woop, Back of Bourke, Snake Gully or Beyond the Black Stump.
2004		D. Thompson ‘Caring Matters’ at www.carersvic.org.au 🌐 The author has retreated to a hollow log beyond the black stump.
2008		A. Mayne Beyond the Black Stump n.p.: Historians have had little to say about the lands that stretch ‘beyond the black stump'’.
2022		in D. Andrew Aussie Sl.

2. eccentric; insane.

1986

R. Beckett Dinkum Aussie Dict. 9: Anyone who lives ‘beyond the Black Stump’ is regarded as being stark, raving mad.