Sunday 22 June 2014

The Dig Tree to Longreach.

We drove from Innamincka on the dirt to 'THE DIG TREE' and read the tragic story of Burke and Wills and their expedition which was so nearly successful, but ended so sadly.

Swallow nests with young, under the roof of an information board. The parents just ignored us, flying past our heads and feeding their demanding chicks.
Lowering the pressure in the tyres.

Overnight bush camp on the road to WINDORAH.

Nanette under the tree.

Ken and Glenn fixing the earth on the water pump.

Cattle country... Emus and expansive skies with mostly treeless, arid, flat landscape dotted with saltbush. Only a low range to cross which looked so beautiful as we approached. The condition of the road was generally good with some rough stony sections and bad grids. About 250 kms south of Windorah we had the good fortune to follow a recently graded road, so except for the muddy floodways, it was a relatively smooth ride. A rare treat out here.

In the distance we can see the dust clouds from Ken and Paul who are a few kilometres ahead of us. There is the occasional cattle grid as we go through a boundary fence. The road snakes its way across the vast land and we have had one vehicle pass us in nearly two hours. Suddenly, some trees appear on the horizon and we cross a dry creek bed. Obviously there is enough water deep in the soil to sustain them.

We passed the turnoff to HADDON CORNER which is the geographical marker for the north East corner of South Australia but didn't drive the extra 32 kms return to go there. There is a campsite there. We could see Planet Downs Outstation a bit further on as we drive through The Sturt Stony Desert and have about another 100kms of dirt road to Morney and then the start of the sealed Diamantina Development Rd. to Windorah. All up we have driven just over 1000 kms on the dirt.

Someone swiped the back end of the Birdsville sign and front half the Windorah one!!!!

We stopped for fuel at WINDORAH, a very neat and obviously well-loved little town. It graciously provided a dump point and fresh, filtered water for our near empty tanks. Thank you good folk of Windorah. Between us we spent about $400 on fuel there.

Then we drove out about 10 kms to a campsite on the banks of Cooper Creek surrounded by magnificent river Red Gums and Coolabah trees. We sat awhile after breakfast with a second cuppa and enjoyed the warmth of the sun and gave the washing hanging between the trees time to finish drying. As we move further north the days are much warmer and nights milder. Beautiful!

STONEHENGE PUb. This was a few kilometres off the main road to Longreach from Windorah and we couldn't resist the name and the famous pub lunch. We had a cold one in the bar, chatted to an opal miner, the barman from Tassie and the owner whose wife was expecting their first child any moment. He had been with her on the Gold Coast waiting for the new arrival but had to be back for a big night tonight when the pub had 80 people to feed and water. After the 'do' he was driving back for the birth. There was a coachload of artists leaving as we arrived, who had been drawing and painting around the district. What a great thing to do!

We had a great lunch of fish, chips and salad while listening to the talk in the bar about how to clear the blocked toilet. You had to be there to appreciate all the advice coming from the well-oiled opal miner and we wondered what the two backpacker staff girls thought of it. One was from Brooklyn New York and the other from Germany!

How many places in the world can you stop your vehicle in the middle of a single lane road while you fix something?? Not many is my guess, but we just did on the Thompson Development Rd between Windorah and Longleach and there was no sign of a moving object in any direction.

These wells are dug into rock and are scattered all over the country. They contain water for months after rain despite the nearby creek being totally dry.

 

Cameron Corner to Innamincka

Caddie stripping off!

We drove the Old Strezlecki Track to INNAMINCKA . What a fabulous night we had at the Innamincka Hotel watching the State of Origin footy match. We started with a delicious rack of lamb .. So tender, with parsnip and sweet potato fries and pumpkin accompanied by a very good red. To top the night off, the Blues came up with a resounding win over the Maroons.

The pub was full of rowdy supporters and we walked home happy to our camp on the Town Common, on the creek bank, with some new friends (one from Long Jetty would you believe)!!! Another guy on the creek bank came from Avoca!. Ken was not a happy chappy and the one Maroon supporter amongst us. Oh.. Poor Ken!

The amenities block was quite unexpected with a fabulous hot shower for $2 in the slot.

 

Cameron Corner

We Left Tibooburra for CAMERON CORNER We drove through the famous dog fence which stretches for about 5,800 kms. It aims to stop dingoes from moving beyond it.

All of us at the corner post marking Cameron Corner.... the meeting place of the three states.. N.S.W. South Australia and Queensland.

We camped in front of the pub and had a few ales with the owners and the couple who were leaving after 15 mths of working in the pub. We also talked to a young, very French man and a German girl who were the new casual staff taking over. There are backpackers everywhere!! Talk about the "treasures" of the Outback!!!!!

Next morning we realised we had unwittingly camped at "Sew View"...... the septic run-off ! Needless to say we only stayed there one night.

Of course Paul and Glenn had to play the iconic nine hole golf course. There are three holes in each state and the shape of the holes on the greens vary from state to state. In NSW they are square. In Queensland triangular and in South Australia they are round. The greens are oiled sand to stop them blowing away and the flags very tattered. We really enjoyed the experience of walking the 'course' and the rules were bent around numerous obstacles, and many preferred lies taken. Ken caddied for Glenn and did a superior job!

First hole.
Dog Fence in the background.
Square hole so it must be NSW.!!
Green rake!!!!
Paul digging soil out of the hole on the green( in Queensland).
Caddie stripping off!

 

Tibooburra to Cameron Corner

The following day we drove to TIBOOBURRA and explored the small town. One place had an astonishing collection of memorabilia gathered over the years by the husband and wife team. We spoke to the lady who told us they went to Broken Hill a few times a year to yard sales and were always on the lookout for new items. There were at least four rooms and a wrap-around verandah with everything labelled and organised. We we very impressed! Another place had the most extensive collection of tea pots you could imagine.

There was also a replica of the 12 oar whaler boat that Sturt dragged on a dray in his unsuccessful and fatal search for the inland sea.

Pub artwork.
Sturt Desert Pea flowering in an old tyre.
Along the road there was a lot of road kill and attendant scavengers, including wedge tailed eagles.