Hey back in South Australia from Qld trippin.
You may remember that I was intending to travel north west (430 k's) from Birdsville Qld to Diamantina Nat Park Qld, then direct south approx 650 k's to Innamincka, Sth Aus. Well I have done it all in the last week.
The silver flash did well over rough dirt roads through pastoral stations to here. The weather is still quite warm out here. High 20's, low 30's. Very dry and dusty out here. Soon as I wipe dust off anything in the van it is covered again so I have given up. There must be some gaps in back door or side or front doors as lots of red dust inside. I live among red dust!
Anyway Diamantina NP was excellent with a big waterhole in the Diamantina river where I went kayaking. I also went kayaking yesterday here in the Cooper creek on arrival, very cool, the waterhole next to town extends about 12 k's. There are several other waterholes on the Cooper too. A real oasis in the outback/desert. Oh did I say I was here in winter last year where i experienced some great camping on the Cooper creek as well.
Oh yeah I saw my old station wagon in the council yard at Birdsville which I unfortunately had to leave here last year after breakin down. It looked happy amongst some other abandoned vehicles!
On the trip last week I finally started seeing kangaroos north of Birdsville again after not seein any since before Marree. Also finally saw my 1st group of camels near Boulia. Also saw brolgas and Emus walkin through the main street of Bedourie just like tourists!! Saw lots of eagles and healthy populations of Whistling Kites at Diamantina NP and heaps here on the Cooper Creek. Was talkin to peoples fishing in the creek this arvo, they were catchin Grunter bream and Yellowbelly fish on prawns for bait.
I am headin to Coongie Lakes Nat Park which is on the Cooper creek about 100 k's north of here in a few days for a bit then back here again.. There are about 5 lakes full of birdlife and lots of kayaking/swimming opportunites there i have been told that is real good spot.
It was blowing up to at least 30 odd knots today which caused huge red and white dust storms everywhere, I found a spot to spend the day on the creek away from the dust clouds. Don't wanna be in the middle of them, yuk.
Am lucky the pub here has Wifi internet as there is no mobile or mobile internet here.
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| Birdsville sunset, sky is on fire! |
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| This is where the famous Birdsville races are on 7 Sept. 5000 odd ppls attend. 1600 k's from Brissie |
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| Camping on Diamantina river at Birdsville |
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| The famous Birdsville hotel. The airstrip is on left so ppls get out of plane and across road to pub, easy as. |
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| This very hot scalding permanent water bore at Birdsville goes into a large lagoon below the caravan park |
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| On the road north of Birdsville. Mitchell grass plains, cattle fattening grass |
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| A Dotterell on edge of waterhole |
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| Pelicans on Diamantina river at Diamantina NP |
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| 100s of Galahs wheeling around above Diamantina rive waterhole. Click on picture to get full screen to appreciate the view better |
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| Ready to go kayaking inn Diamantina NP Diamantina river waterhole |
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| My 1st ever time seeing camels in the wild, groovy as! |
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| On top of Janets Leap hill, looking north over Diamantina river floodplain |
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| Sunset on top of Janets Leap hill at Diamantina NP |
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| Spoonbills on Diamantina river waterhole |
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| Feral cat on other side of Diamantina River Waterhole after I yelled out Coo-eee to him, startled look |
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| Hot outback chips on the road, best in the outback, yummo |
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| Dead young eagle , looks like it crashed into barbed wire cattle fence, sad |
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| Pair of brolgas at a cattle waterhole |
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| Crossing some red sandhills |
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| Any small or large waterhole is welcome in the outback to wash off the dust from your face, kneck and arms etc. |
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| Red sand road headin to Innamincka + mitchell grass plains |
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| Surprised to see flowering gum trees in dry area north of Innamincka |
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| Hey Cooper Creek, its about 15 feet lower than last year, but still very pretty. Went for a 3 hour kayak on it yesterday |
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| Apair of Parrots in one of the red gums on the creek above my camp |
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| If you didn't know the Innamincka area was the site of the death of Burke & Wills from their ill fated trek from Melbourne to the gulf of Carpentaria top of Qld in 1860-61. Died on return trip. Click on pic to zoom in and read some info on it. This is from 17 k's south of Innamincka on the Cooper Creek where Wills died |
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