Tibooburra to Innamincka 22-8-12

 

Travelled to Cameron’s Corner over quite a rough road (as expected) lots of sand dunes (with good road through them) like being on a roller coaster.  Sometimes the road turned immediately after the peak which was a bit disconcerting and there were lots of twists and turns to be negotiated.  I was a little worried at times but Michael negotiated them very well. 

We passed two cars that had problems but saw that they had a service vehicles already in attendance.  They appeared to  be rally cars.. 

We crossed a large dry lake which was an interesting experience.

We saw loads of emus again.  It is quite astonishing, there is a lot of ground cover, low bushes and spinifex.  The locals tell us that they have had quite a bit of rain, so that probably explains it.

Am again impressed by the vast emptiness of this country.

We arrive at Cameron’s Corner ( 3 states meet – New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland) to find it very busy, there is a rally on – raising money for the some Starlight children’s foundation.  We quickly have our tea/coffee/loo stop (“drip dry” and “flip dry”), take some photos and move on before the rally does.  We do not want to be travelling on the road with them eating their dust.

We passed a lot of oil & gas production rigs which probably explains the condition of the roads – roads off to the rigs clearly states No Public Access..

We didn’t go all the way to the Strzelecki track but took the Merty Merty track which was in very good condition. Hard sand based made driving easy.  We found a small tree for shade and had lunch.  Lucky enough to have a large lizard right beside us.  (see the photo album)

Finally arrived in Innamincka to find a horrible windstorm – sand blowing everywhere. very unpleasant.  we had a drink in the hotel just so  that Michael could say he had had a drink in the Innamincka pub and went to find a campsite.  We had a hard time putting the tent up in the wind, Tony and Jennifer in the troopie were up and running in no time. 

We have a lovely spot right by the river (Cooper’s Creek) in King’s camping ground. 

Set up camp, made a fire and settled down all of us very tired.  By the time it was tea time the wind died down and the flies came out.  But the birds began to  arrive, pelicans, Corellas and some other little ones I don’t recognise will look them up.  The cockatoos must have nests in the hollows of which there are many, every hollow we could see had a couple bobbing in and out.

Dusk came the flies disappeared and it was lovely sitting around the camp fire.