Day 7 September 27– A lovely lakeside campsite at Coongie Lake through Innamincka to …Cullyamarra waterhole.

Woken early by a bladder call a bit before 5.30am – the east sky was just beginning to soften to a light pink, upon return to the tent, I decided it was going to be worth staying up for.

Happy birthday to Sarah today, who is celebrating her 23^rd birthday in magnificent style, with a million dollar view from a beautiful campsite on the lake.

Steve, Reve, myself and bit later Sarah and eventually Dad, were up to watch the sun rise, it is a long wait as the sky colours up and the surrounds lighten, then finally about 6.45 the sun peaked over the sand dunes and within minutes was glowing across the water. The lake was littered with waterbirds, and after a delicious breaky of bacon and eggs, the brolgas returned again.

A slow start to the day…which is really nice, allowing some to sleep in and others to catch up on blogging etc.

After breaking from camp, we drove around the lake to the day visitor area, where we all paddled,  had a group shot and quite a few swam. It was beautiful, would happily return to Coongie for a longer stay one day.

From Coongie we headed back towards Innamincka, via a lunch stop at Kidrimitchie Waterhole or pehaps another arm of Coongie Lakes and also a brief look at Kidrimitchie Outsation.

Unfortunately, Ro not feeling well today. Hopefully he will pick up tomorrow, he has had a couple of early nights.

Innamincka again for fuel, some showers, cool drinks before choofing off to camp at Cullyamurra waterhole. This is a ‘choke’ of the Cooper Creek. We were in designated camping area and thanks to Col and Rod, who cleared a path through thick reeds lining the bank, we were able to enjoy a most refreshing swim. The water was cool but nice, it was really deep and none of us could touch the bottom 2 metres from the edge.

Dad wet a line once the swimmers were done and quickly landed a small catfish, which was released back into the waterhole. He later had another on the line which he couldn’t land due to it using the reeds for cover. After tea and some patient waiting he landed a small bream or yellow belly – not sure, so the fillets are in the fridge.

After tea, we celebrated Sarah’s 23^rd birthday in style, with cake, sparklers and party hats. Even the youngsters (Sarah and Peyton) had a few drinks.

Up late tonight, which wasn’t planned, but it was just so pleasant we sat and had a cuppa etc after most had gone to bed.

While the plan for tonight was to be camped somewhere early so we could do the roast, we once again failed in  this mission…maybe tomorrow.

Photos in no particular order. Rushing while having phone service on way to Big Red.

Sunrise at Coongie

Day 6 September 26–A spot off the track between Cameron Corner and Innamincka to a lovely lakeside campsite at Coongie Lake.

After lots of chasing around after tents, this morning’s pack up was also done in pretty high winds as well. Sand everywhere, but we all managed to do it unscathed.

We travelled along the Old Strzelecki Trak and passed through an area full of oil mining equipment, including many, many ‘nodders’ that are used to pump the oil up and into pipes to somewhere.

At one point we got a bit separated so the group divided into “The Dark Side” and “The Federation” Rod, Greg, Kerri and I took the right hand road along the New Strzelecki Trak, while the rest of the crew were some way behind and opted for the Old Strzelecki Trak.

From there we all ended up in Innamincka, The Dark Side team managed to score the showers, just before they were closed for cleaning. Then fuelled up and did a small bit of washing. At the same time the boys were inspecting the Willshire-Morgan-Viney vehicle to see if the busted air conditioning could be revived. Unfortunately not, so it’s back to four window for that crew and lead car to prevent copping everyone else’s dust.

Lunch at the Innamincka Pub for most and several attempts to get some intelligence on the road to Coongie Lakes and the type of shelter etc out there.

A few more were waiting for showers, so showers had and finally back on the road at approx. 3.30pm.

We arrived at Coongie Lakes  at a magnificent time for photos, the light was perfect, with the sun low in the sky, the lake looked quite blue as we crested the dune from the main trak to the lake foreshore. We saw a huge flock of Brolgas just standing around in the reedy lake edge, our arrival caused a bit of consternation and they began to dance a little.

A beautiful campsite with sunset and lake views, it would be perfect for sunrise in the morning.

 

In Innamincka.

Our first view of Coongie Lake. Just beautiful

Birds on  tree in the lake.

The Brolgas.

Day 5 September 25–A dry creek bed somewhere between Milparinka and Depot Glen to A spot off the track between Cameron Corner and Innamincka

After a beautiful night out in the middle of nowhere, under the dark star studded skies, with a brilliantly bright moon later in the night, we breakfasted, packed up and headed for Tibooburra.

I must make comment regarding our newly designed toilet seat, which Stef created in the early hours of the Saturday morning of our departure. Our regular toilet seat which has done the job for all the trips I’ve been on to date, had a few design flaws, especially for the girls, so much credit to Stef for the design and build, which has taken on board various feedback given over the years.

Tibooburra, was a really interesting old town, the Family Hotel (one of two in the town) was once owned by renowned artist Clifton Pugh, there was lots of artwork/murals on the walls of the pub, by Clifton himself and numerous other artists. Some of our crew were on the beer prior to 11am, but I’m sure it was all about supporting these outback businesses. On the way into town we stopped to fuel up and purchase ice creams and fly nets (the only drawback so far the flies are very plentiful and extremely friendly)

We also purchased some prints and plenty of postcards between us all. The owner of the pub, had grown up in Tibooburra and her and her husband have just brought the pub, both her and her friend helping out behind the bar were really helpful and explained the paintings etc, it costs a $2.00 donation to Flying Doctors to photograph around the pub. The ladies suggested a lookout outside town, so we drove out for some pictures, before heading off towards Cameron’s Corner.

The landscape is ever changing, we have passed through:

·        Flat scrubby stuff, with several dry creek beds lined with trees,

·        Rocky outcrops and red sand

·        On gravel that ranges from dark to chalky and sandy

·        Other more treed landscapes

·        In some trees beside one dry creek bed there was  tree with at least 7 Wedge-tailed eagles –quite large some of them.

·        Red sandy dunes dotted with vegetation ranging from grey to very vibrant green

At Cameron Corner we all did the obligatory Corner Post shots, after crossing through the dog proof fence. Cameron Corner marks the intersection of South Australia, NSW and Queensland.

A visit to the store at Cameron Corner saw 6 of our group grab a shower, while the photos were taken and beer/drinks were consumed. We then headed off towards Innamincka.

We dropped into the Bollards Lagoon homestead to ask permission to take the closed Bore Track to no avail, they have closed the track due to irresponsible users shooting holes in water tanks causing cattle to die of thirst and other irresponsible things.

Campsite tonight was just a little way off the track as we were not going to find anything with trees etc. It was a great spot…until 3am when the wind blew up and played havoc with quite a few tents.

Prior to that we had another lovely time with pre dinner drinks and snacks while it was too hot to set up, then following the various dinners, we gathered around the fire – several metres back as it was not at all cold.

 

Dad and Ro crossing the dog fence. Thanks to Lach, the gate man

The dogfence

Waiting, waiting, waiting. Lach waiting for Steve - it was worth the wait...a $2 payment from the last car. I think he made $4+

Another corner ticked off the list, Stef on Cameron Corner Post.

Milani on the Corner post

Me on the post, trying to get the states in shot

The post and old tree at the corner. NSW/SA/QLD intersect here. Shortly after we stopped at the corner store in QLD for a drink

Off towards Innamincka on the Strzelecki Trak

Our camp for the night, while having drinks awaiting a drop in temperature the kites came out. Here's Meg and Milani

Lachlan and Mary with the big kite

Col, Mary and Ro. Drinks before tea.

Reve, Milani, Peyton and Meg

An oil nodder along the way.