Mystery Meander : Day 8 September 28–Cullyamarra waterhole to a campsite by the road to Haddon Corner.

Without even trying this morning we all managed to be packed and ready by 8.30 SA time, which is pretty amazing. Greg and Rod were ready earlier and took off for Innamincka to shower and do some washing.

Off we went to visit Burke’s grave, which had some very interesting interpretative signs which explained a lot about the importance of the Cooper Creek to the local aboriginals and the flora around the area. There were huge aged and gnarly red gums, green bean trees, plus lignum everywhere.

The site of Burke’s grave was marked with a Cairn and plaque, whilst he died here, he asked not to be buried but to be left out. Anyway, they later removed his body for return to Victoria for a State Funeral Service.

Along the trak we stopped to check out new bridge over the Cooper – the Burke and Wills Bridge, we also connected via radio with a lovely trucky who was from Victoria and seemed to enjoy a bit of banter with some fellow Victorians. When we first saw him he was crawling along on a dirt part of the road, he told us he travels 7-8000kms on dirt tracks for 3 weeks of every month and that in summer last year they had 19 days over 50 degrees, he mentioned that the roads are quite busy with tourist at this time of year, but they don’t see many in summer, not hard to see why.

We then moved on to the Dig Tree, where others of Burke and Wills party had established a depot and left stores for Burke, after waiting and waiting for Burke , they left, only to have Burke arrive 9 hours later and miss the assistance the other party would provide.

After a bite to eat, we headed off towards Haddon Corner.

Haddon Corner, while nothing much there but the corner post, marks the final corner for a few of us – Meg, Milani and I.

We found a few trees on the road back out from Haddon Corner and camped the night, it was a very pleasant evening with a few clouds. Without much protection, we experienced very little wind. The same ritual, pull up, identify tent sites, get the tables, chairs, nibblies and drinks and sit around while the heat goes out of the day, then set up tents, cook tea, eat tea do dishes and gather again for a few more drinks before bed.