On the road again - Port Lincoln final destination - THE SHED!
Planned route - Lake Katherine, Boulia, Birdsville ( track closed to large caravans) Strz Track, to Innamincka, Lynhurst Port Augusta, My Ive, Cleve, Verran & Port Lincoln.
Got him again! - our PIG out in the open, not to
many vehicles moving at this hour of the day!
Taking the Stock Route to the Donohue Hwy
The only signage for 55k's, just follow the wheel track & your nose!
Yep! just follow the tire tracks thru the grass,
at least no major wash outs!
at least no major wash outs!
The one and only Gate
Let them go thru and wait for the dust cloud to settle,
on this occasion the wind was in our favour
Trust you can read all the above
No shortage of 'RATS' at the bore
Camp site 63k's south of Boulia - no red claw!
Road works tanker trucks loading water when we arrived
Wandering Brumbies
Rest area 25k's north of Carcoory Bore,
nest in Bird hide next to the lagoon
None to add!
Blowing a hot nor easterly,
a cold brew and snaga went down well.
Disregard the 'OPEN sign if you are towing any thing bigger than a camper trailer, even then still check it will fit on the Cooper Creek punt. The Copper Creek still flowing.
The infamous starting gates! Should have camped here on high ground!
An evening visitor, just before the storm hit. It went on all night, thunder and a great lighting show. But it was a bit tricky getting out of our camp site.
Some what muddy from a reconnoitre of an exit route.
Used the wheel tracks on the grass to ensure good traction.
Camped at what is locally called the 'WINDMILL' on the Diamantina River.
Not to bad considering the slip and slide reversing out of our camp site to get pointed in the right direction. Moral to the story is always have a exit strategy and heading in the right direction to avoid any reversing, or tight turns in wet slippery ground!
Very Hi Tech vehicle, QLD's roads dept. Camera's and radar take video of the road surface and the radar detects pot holes and corrugations plus record the GPS location plus heaps more.
Road out of town slippery and wet, van doing a
few side way slides – slow and steady.
Took Windora Road – two ladies Harriet & friend at the Planet Arrabury road turn off waiting for directions, as the tour bus driver had advised the road to Innamincka in bad condition and should be closed. They were 60k’s down the track. We decided to go as far as Haddon Corner and camp and get an update on any travellers coming thru. No one showed up from Innaminka, but folks who we heading into Hadden Corner.
Over the next few day's - picked up some mud!
Local reports indicated the Cordillo track was in bad condition. So we headed down the Birdsville Developmental Road a further 106k's to the Planet Arrabury Road turn off.
Headed down the track to BETOOTA - Population 0.
This is Betoota Hotel built in the 1880's and operated until 1997, when the the owner retired at age 82 yrs of age.
Grass plain - Emu's
More rain on the horizon - after checking out the track
into Haddon Corner - we stayed put!
Track into Haddon Corner.
Emu's getting really curious
It bucketed down and another great lighting show later
in the night. The folks camped down the track had to
batten down the hatches around mid night
After a wild night, it was clear skies and a drying wind
Greg, Lee, Debbie & Geoff (Sue) camped 50 mtrs on some dry ground, with their camp still intact. How ever they did admit to scrambling around during the night, we did notice the torch light activity - all under control, no assistance required!
Geoff makes light weight 'tinnies' - Eh! that title will not apply as this is high tech stuff - checkout http://www.ezytopper.com.au/
3.7mtr roof topper under 50kg.
Getting closer to the infamous Copper Creek at Innamincka
Don't forget the .75
Great road to the SA border, a few damp spots but no reason to close the road as the coach driver had advised Harriet.
Road conditions did change but generally pritty good!
Several K's out of Innamincka, this was the only section of road a bit boggy, but a good hard foundation and no deep bog holes,
just keep it slow and steady
We checked out several camp site on the Cooper, but a bit small for our BT. Camps further out where on bushfire watch. We later meet some folks who had camped at a water hole out back and were advised by a Ranger at 2100hrs to move on because of the approaching bush fire.
Gas explorations near Mooba Gas field.
Head lights were working fine officer!
Great camp spot off the Strz.
A local pet from Moomba Gas Plant cross bred with a dingo. This fellow approached us when we pulled up but was very timid.
Neat markings
Mooba Gas Plant - as soon as we spotted the comm's tower. Switched on the phone - beauty - 5 bars, e-mails - done deal.
No comm's tower at Innamincka
Camped at Montecollina Bore - we arrived around 1200hrs and by 1700hrs, 15 campers over night. These guy's out for a long weekend ride - 3,500k's over three days. BMW off road bikes.
Off to Lynhurst
Some one lost a wheel_____
Eh! here he is! A good innings - 1997 - 2011, One Trip to Many!!
Great camp - just souht of Leigh Creek
Sun rise on the hills!
Local school now the PUB!
Lunch at Iron Knob Pub – VG! Ham steak salad & chips, bacon soup - $15. Angela – new owners 18 mths, have powered sites – free and unit with shower and toilet for those not self contained. Just spend some $$ on a drink or meal.
Opp's we have made a wrong turn some were
Oh Well, at least we can call some one!
Departing Mt Ive station - 48mm rain over night. Took the Stringer Hwy as reports of heavier rain falls at Yeadea Station. It was slip and slide as it was, foot off the pedal - slow and steady.
Opp's, this guy had a bad day!!
Next stop Verran - Utunaya & Driver River Church 100 year celebrations - see seperate BLOG
