b'Dec 2022 Trackwatch.qxp_Trackwatch Layout 17/12/202210:21 pmPage 29The rest of the trip was through swales and amazingly green up was interfered with by a very inquisitive rooster that at onecountry heading to Innamincka which was without incident. point flew up into the back of the Hilux to check out our set up.70kms from Innamincka we pulled up at the Burke and Wills First stop for the day was at Tibooburra for a sausage roll andDig Tree site. We walked around for a while taking in the morning tea break and checkout the replica of Sturts boat. history of the isolated location. It was here there was concern Second stop was at Milparinka to check out the changes toabout the fast flowing and water height of the Cooper Creek so the historic precinct. The Albert Hotel has been fully restoredwe decided not to camp at the Dig Tree but to push on to and is again operational, but it was a bit early for a beer. TheInnamincka.courthouse has also been restored and operates as an artArriving in Innamincka and another big day, we fuelled up gallery, museum and souvenir shop. And one other building isstraight away and found a campsite.Some went to the pub currently being renovated but not yet open to visitors. Wefor a meal, some stayed at camp and made their own gourmet wandered around the town and found the only Sturts Desertconcoctions. The fire was lite a bit late that night, but we sat Pea of the trip. It was an unusually large plant but only onearound it laughing, lying and reminiscing over the last 24 hrs branch had flowers. It would be magnificent in full bloom. Thewith a drink in hand. weather had turned very cold with a strong chilled wind, soBed - sleep - wake and repeat. our visit was relatively short.May 26th, 2022. Trip notes by MaureenContinuing on we stopped at Packsaddle Roadhouse forTwas another warmish moonlight night camping on the lunch and a rest stop. The afternoon was a drive towardsInnamincka Common of the Cooper Creek. By this time, we Broken Hill to find our last campsite. With camp spots few andhad outrun the floodwaters coming down the Diamantina and far between, and after finding those not too suitable due toCooper Creek so we could stop rushing and enjoy the rest of recent heavy rain etc, we stopped for a group meeting at thethe journey. Mount Gipps turnoff where the property owner caught up withThis was deemed a sleep in day, after our night at the Pub us on her way home from Broken Hill. We followed her advicefor tea. We were up at 7:00am and very soon a number of cars and decided to camp at the Mt Gipps station campground,arrived, many of the occupants carrying clip boards. The which turned out to be a very good call. The weather was turn-group of about 30 gathered nearby under a large old gum ing cold by this stage and the open chimney fireplace housedtree. I ventured to ask an indigenous member what was the in the enclosed roofed area was very welcome, as was thepurpose of the gathering. It seems Queensland Judges have well set up camp kitchen.As usual we were carrying abeen travelling to meet Indigenous people re Native Title substantial quantity of wood, and lit a large fire in the fireplaceClaims. Today was about this Common on the Cooper. No and enjoyed nibbles and dinner in the warm enclosure. Laterdoubt we will hear more in time. Glen met a chap from Gol Gol in the evening the station owner bought a bag of wood for salewho was travelling with the Judges providing accommodation but given what we were carrying it was not needed.and food for the group. We had a good discussion with the very accommodatingAs we left Innamincka, we had a good look at the rising owners and Mt Gipps could well be on for a future club trip.Cooper Creek before heading off down the Strzelecki Track, Given the weather and the lack of accommodation in the area,now a bitumen road called Dillons Highway. We had wanted Mt Gipps station was very welcome and proved to be a greatto take the Old Strzelecki Track, but it was closed. 45 km spot for our last camp of the trip.down the road, we hit the Moomba Rd and turned right, May 28th, 2022. Trip notes by Robin hoping to see Moomba, but we plebs were not allowed into This was the last day of the trip so, after packing up wethe good sized company town run by SANTOS. There are started the day with a communal breakfast of bacon and eggsapproximately 115 gas fields and 536 gas wells, some of cooked in the camp kitchen and prepared for a straight runwhich we saw on our travels. We travelled further south to near home. From Mt Gipps we headed to Broken Hill to refuel andMerty Merty Station, where we crossed the dry Strzelecki air upa surprisingly difficult process as one servo ran out ofCreek and headed for Camerons Corner. As our wood supply fuel and another had no air. After scattering to find fuel andwas dwindling a little, we stopped en route to replenish our air, we congregated at the Westside Plaza shopping centre forsupply - chainsaws and gloved hands to the rescue. coffee before resuming our journey.This road was quite good, with the occasional hole to be Dr Phils wife, Ruth had advised him that she would beavoided, some dunes to be crossed, but a piece of cake for travelling to Whyalla to visit the children and then moving on tous. Dips and dunes was the talk, then a stop for lunch by a Port Lincoln to visit other children. As the distances to Whyallalagoon with ducks. Glen found some wild tomato plants near- and Renmark were comparable, Dr Phil left the trip to travel toby in quite a green landscape to which we had become Whyalla to meet up with his wife.accustomed.Robin, as lead vehicle, confronted a dingo. It For the rest of us, next was a quick stop at the Popiltah restwas running hard but turned left and bolted for the scrub when area for afternoon tea then an uneventful trip home on thean on-coming vehicle approached. blacktop to Mildura.The clouds built up a little as we neared the Corner, having In summary an interesting and eventful trip (racing thepassed well fed cattle, some of which belonged to Bollards flood waters home) enjoyed by all.Lagoon, a station producing organic beef. The owners, Grant Total Distance - 5,000km. and Gina Riek took over from their parents who settled there in Average speeds:1959. They have 4000 head of Herefords. Although it is strictlydesert country with many red sandhills, in between these the Blacktop ~100kph but 110kph to Hawker and from Brokenswampy ground grows clover in the winter and grass in summer. HillBefore setting up camp at Camerons Corner, we all visited Reasonable dirt roads ~80kphthe cairn erected to note the border of Queensland, New Rough sections and dunesdrive to the conditionsSouth Wales and South Australia and then enjoyed a drink at Total fuel the pub and a hot shower. So clean as whistles, we enjoyed Unknown/not recordedbut Mt Dare to Jervois Stnanother evening under the stars with a roaring fire and wind (Madigan and Hay) @ 40-60kph - 15L/100km normallybreaks to thwart the breeze. 18L/10027th May 2022 Trip notes by Glen & DiWorst price $3.05 at William Creek, but all the othersCameron Corner camp was our starting point for the days ~$2.00 to $2.40 Total days15.trip heading south towards home. The mornings camp pack-TRACKWATCHDECEMBER 2022 27'