Mystery Meander : 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.