John Russell replied:

Andrew, we did that trip a few years ago and camped on the Cooper about 10k's from Innaminka.
You will need plenty of fresh drinking water as the Cooper Creek water is very brown and upset our young bloke, however we were ok.

I not sure if it is true but I heard on the grapevine that the Dig Tree was burnt earlier this year by vandals, so maybe someone can confirm this.

Anyway enjoy your trip, I'm envious

Regards
John

Chris (W.A.) replied:

Whether you like em or not, I'm sure the Leyland Brothers did a bit on this even possibly the older one.
You know, the one that recommends the ST Coopers.
They'd have to have a website somewhere.
Regards
ChrisNice southerly coastal fishing trip someday.
Chris

Member - Ross replied:

Andrew and Jen

Cullymurra waterhole is a great spot to camp (bloody noisy cockatoos by the squillion will object though) and the previous suggestions about water is spot on. Local water good for a shower but I wouldn't advise on drinking it.

All of the various waterholes in the area are worth a visit as well as the dig tree. If you are heading down to Camerons Corner, the Bore Track is a must see and an overnight at Bollards Lagoon makes a pleasant change as the camping ground isn't very exciting.

In Sept I would expect 999988887777666655554444333322221111 flies to the square metre.

All round a great spot and well worth a visit ...... enjoy your trip.

CheersRosco

landie replied:

This is a fascinating part of Australia and you'll enjoy it. Take a boat ride along the Copper if you can and don't forget to visit Coongie Lakes for a day or two, but definetly stay overnight.

Consider staying at the Dig Tree also as it is possible to camp there. Firewood supplied and it is beside the Cooper on Nappa Merie station. The caretaker, "Bomber" Johnston is a mine of information and he is only to willing to share a yarn.

Whilst Burke and Wills were the higher profile explorers in this region, there were many others in the region that achieved significant feats, some of these occured in the search for Burke and Wills.

The tree that was burnt is in the gulf savanah nearer to Burketown, however from memory I don't think it related to the Burke and Wills expedition.

Cheers
Landie

jonsal replied:

Hi Andrew and Jen, Have been to corner country many times and loved it every time. I think the bushtucker man did a bit of a doco on B & W along with other explorers of note. From ABC shops, and Australian Geographic put out a good general book called Corner Country which covers the area with history, geography, flora and fauna and points of interest. Take time to enjoy this great part of our country.

Member -BJ (Sydney) replied:

Hi guys i did this trip 2 years ago with some friends & as previous post definatly do the Bore Track, I thought the dunes were better than the Simpson. We spent a cople off days at Cullymulla & when we were there the were doing up the loo's. Also this year we did the Gulf track & it sounds like the dig tree they destroyed is the marker for their last camp site as its West of Burktown. Why are there so many Morons out there?Regards Bob
Where to next

Member - DOZER replied:

Gday
Spent a week camped on the town common last there, if you camp(or explore) anywhere else a Desert pass is needed.
We started at Menindee lakes where the duo had a base depot,there is a wills tree there
followed their expadition through Tibbaburra (dont miss the national parks office exibition there!) the corner, (Sturts) fort grey (good drinbking water there) old stressy and on to Innamincka
Looked at both Grave sites, tree, and make sure you do the loop track back to Innamincka from the tree.
Coongie Lakes is a must aswell.
We have washouts, they have blowouts on the corner main road, so be sensible with regard to speed...
Safe journey
Andrew wheredayathinkwer mike?

Member - Rick (S.A.) replied:

Andrew & Jen

You are on a winner with Murgatroyd's book. I found it to be a far less fictionalised version; well researched.

re Idreiss' book on Kidman- IMHO it's romantic twaddle. I know an 87 y.o who contract drove for Kidman & he told me last Sunday that it was rubbish.
Try " Kidman: the Forgotten King" by Jill Bowen, pub by Cornstalk Publishing.

For flora, try " Field Guide to the Common Plants of the Cooper Basin" by Wiltshire & Scmidt, pub by santos. It is an excellent pictorial identification resource.

For a general guide, look at Stuart Nicol's good book pub by the RAA of SA, called "Outback South Australia and central Australia.

Re Landsbourough's tree at camp 119 (Burke & Wills most northern camp) - yeah, it's gone. Freind of mine was there recently and showed me a photo of the absence of the tree.

Many parties were dispatched to look for the 'lost' men. Landsborough was sent from southern Qld to try to find B & W; Big John McKinlay left from Adelaide, while Howitt departed Melbourne to search for them.

Fascinatin' country, that Corner Country. It is hard to identify exactly what the charisma is, but it's got something to do with the gibber plains abutted directly by bright red sandhills, with the threads of a great river disectting it all. A land of real physical contrasts. Then superimpose the indigenous history and populations, and then chuck in a few incompetent white fellas, an Inland Mission now beautifully restored, and the region comes a real deal. Mind you, the curent lease holders seem too have stabilised environmental damage and can co- exist with minimal damage to the environment. Lots of proof of this exists; and now that the calicii virus has significantly lowered the rabbit population, the native flora has a chance again.

You may deduce that I reckon it is a special place -I do- but I've only been there once.

CheersRick ( S.A.) - ' It is better to travel hopefully than arrive'

Jeff (Beddo) replied:

At Tibooburra ask National Parks about a track come creek bed trail that ventures to the Gumvale gold battery, gold diggings, then onto Mt Poole, Depot Glen (Charles Sturt exploration expedition), then to Miparinka for a beer then back to Tibooburra (one day trip). At Dead Horse Gully (Tibooburra) enquire about the sunset track that runs behind the camping area and comes out at Whitta Brinnia (not sure if still open). Leave Tibooburra and vist Mt Wood, Olive Downs then via Middle track head to Cameron Corner. Stay at Fort Grey or Cameron Corner or Bollards Lagoon (not sure which has the best facilties now). Head to Innaminka and saty at Cullyamurra waterhole and have a look at engravings at the eastern end where the creek flows into the waterhole (can't miss them). Hire a canoe from the Pub at Innaminka ! Coongie Lakes is worth a trip and on the way you will pass an old out station on the edge of the creek - there is heaps of bird life thru this area. Fishing not bad either.Cheers, Beddo
Surf KZN185
<- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW