I took the liberty of joining a Queensland on-line camping group, as this was literally virgin territory. I put it put it out there, that I was heading to Birdsville, and what could distract me along the way. More than one respondent implored me to go to Innamincka and the legendary DIG tree of theContinue reading “The Ride to Innamincka 1 – Belonne to Bulldust”
Author Archives: southseasojourn1291
Into the Sunshine(State)
I’d been mulling this Ngemba Embassy thing on and off, trying to figure out what would be a win-win for both the protesters and the Council. It came together on that weekend so I had a good ‘chew-the -fat’ session with the CEO of the Brewarrina Shire Council . The Council are the third wheelContinue reading “Into the Sunshine(State)”
Lightning Ridge et al
You would have been expecting a banner pic of a thousand mullock heaps but in this town, where there are probably more car wrecks than driveables, Lightning Ridge is the elephant’s graveyard and perhaps a sign that digging for opals may not be the romance the finished product would have us believe. Now, I’d alreadyContinue reading “Lightning Ridge et al”
Floodtide
Somewhere under all that brown water are the famous Brewarrina Fish Traps, which were clearly visible only 48 hours earlier. This Aboriginal ‘catch & kill’ network of trap ponds and channels are world famous, and one of the oldest human-made structures in the world. So I was a little disappointed that my timing was offContinue reading “Floodtide”
Darling River Run 5
It Ends Where it Begins This was the longest day and only half over. I had my eyes set on Tilpa as my next overnighter, another 130 klms along the West Tilpa Road. My armchair ride earlier in the day had lulled me into totally unreasonable expectations for this next stage. The first 30klms couldContinue reading “Darling River Run 5”
Darling River Run 4
Pooncarie to Wilcannia In the still midday air, the roar and grunt of the Desert Dash followed me for several kilometres before getting lost in the swales and gullies. The exciting news was that the Pooncarie to Menindee Road had been all but tarred, so the duel with the dust was postponed for a fewContinue reading “Darling River Run 4”
Darling River Run 3
Mungo to Pooncarie A cool change overnight, a few spots of rain…..what could possibly go wrong? I heard the occasional drop on the roof at 4am, but not a puddle in sight as I pulled out of the Main Campground just on 9am. I hate back-tracking if I can possibly avoid it and Google MapsContinue reading “Darling River Run 3”
Darling River Run 2
Mungo National Park Who hasn’t heard of Mungo Man? Often portrayed as outback of outback NSW, Mungo National Park is still east of the Darling River, about 65klm off the Pooncarie Road. Often photographed as a desert location, those pics belong on the highlights reel. Lake Mungo is one of four ancient lake beds andContinue reading “Darling River Run 2”
The Darling River Run 1
It Begins Where it Ends The cascading water through the lock is like the sound of distant surf, almost ambient, reminding me of holidays by the beach as a kid. During the day, pelicans and the occasional runabout get as close as they dare (or are allowed) to the tumbling waters. A weeks lay-up inContinue reading “The Darling River Run 1”
Coolamon’s on Fire !
When your in-between the outback and the sea, it becomes a matter of the destination and NOT the journey. The western plains are flat and carpeted with salt bush and huge bare paddocks. It was time to re-acquaint myself with the wide open spaces and the horizon to horizon blue sky. Coincidentally, the RV ‘secretContinue reading “Coolamon’s on Fire !”