Innamincka add-ons
Submitted: Monday, Mar 31, 2008 at 22:43
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AdrianLR (VIC)
Following on from a thread a little while back, I'm looking for some comments about destinations/route on the way to the
Innamincka gathering.
The base data: just myself and our 8yo (Liam) travelling, need to be back on the Monday after the gathering (need to fit into Vic school hols this time) so a window of 2 weeks
Melbourne-to-
Melbourne. Driving an NP DiD Paj with 600km dirt road range, water and supplies for 5 days between stops, AT tyres, UHF and possibly satphone plus basic recovery and full
first aid etc. Whilst taking into account the reality of "sole traveller" limitations, we
camp around 30 nights a year so average offroad/semi remote is ok for both of us.
Ideally we'd like to go to
Coober Pedy,
Birdsville and the
Innamincka surrounds (Coongie,
Cameron Corner and the Burke & Wills links). My gut feel is that
Coober Pedy adds too much distance for 2 weeks. Does it make sense to include
Birdsville in an Innamincka/
Birdsville duo or should the trip be something like meandering through
Broken Hill (is there a
fossicking experience for Liam to replace
Coober Pedy?), then
Cameron Corner and a week around
Innamincka? Were were in the
Flinders Ranges in 2006 and don't want to go back yet.
All suggestions much appreciated.
Adrian
Reply By: Dave B (NSW) - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 06:23
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 06:23
Adrian, if you want to do some
fossicking for opal, I would suggest
White Cliffs.
You can go anywhere on the fields at
White cliffs without any hassles.
AFAIK,
Coober Pedy is a bit restricted now as to where you can go.
It would also be a bit more convenient to get to
White Cliffs on your circuit than going all the way to
Coober Pedy, consequently cheaper.
Sturt National Park is a great park to visit as
well, with, of course links to Charles Sturt at
Fort Grey and Mt Poole.
Dave
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - barbara M (NSW) - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 07:14
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 07:14
Adrian,
There is a really cheap caravan/camping ground at
White Cliffs with hot showers etc cant remember if it has a bar b que we didnt use it i dont think but that was three years ago. barb
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - DOZER- Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 10:21
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 10:21
Watch out for Jock :)
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:44
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:44
Thanks Dave & Barb - I hadn't thought of
White Cliffs but have now got the maps out and a plan has come together!!
Dozer, who's Jock?
Adrian
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Apr 05, 2008 at 17:44
Saturday, Apr 05, 2008 at 17:44
Jock has a mine in
White Cliffs and he'll show u thru it I do believe.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: wendys - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 11:45
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 11:45
Endorse
White Cliffs remarks, and it is an interesting place for a kid. What about a night or 2 at Mungo on the way to
White Cliffs? If you include
Birdsville, you have to think about the route/s you would use: you could finish up either having to backtrack the same route, or else adding a lot of km just for the sake of it. Might be better to leave
birdsville for another trip and focus on the areas mentioned in replies, as
well as Innamincka/Coongie.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:48
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:48
Thanks wendys
Mungo's now definitely on the list. Youre right about
Birdsville - it was on the list pretty much just for the sake of it (no offence to anyone!!).
Adrian
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Duncs - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 13:44
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 13:44
I would agree with the
White Cliffs suggestion.
If you go to
Coober Pedy you will probably drive the balck top from Pt
Augusta and that, compared to the country between
White Cliffs and say
Cameron Corner, is a pretty boring run.
The shorter trip will also alow more time for looking around. There is plenty to see in NW NSW and SW Queensland.
Duncs
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Mick O (VIC) - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 17:05
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 17:05
What about heading up through Mungo to
Menindee Lakes. Should be a heap of water in there about that time. Good Burke and Wills
camp site there on the Darling. Then up to
Wilcannia and Whitecliffs. I'd head across to
Tibooburra (there's a good camping area at Dead Horse Gully just near town) and then to Cameron's Corner. Have a feed at the Family hotel there. Alternately there is a
camp area at
Fort Grey just short of Cameron's Corner.
After that I'd head along the short few km towards the Strez to Bollards Lagoon Station and then head north up the
bore track to
Innamincka. The run thru Cordillo to
Birdsville is quite achievable in the two week time frame. You equally have plenty of options for the trip
home from either B'ville or
Innamincka by heading east and then down thru NSW to
Echuca.
Cheers Mick
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AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:53
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:53
Thanks Mick
Great info.
Adrian
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Reply By: The Geriatric Gypsies - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 20:00
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 20:00
goodday adrian
white cliffs is a lovely place and you also have mootwindgie n/p if you havent been before and also
silverton just vout of
broken hill
steve
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Follow Up By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:57
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:57
Thanks Steve
From not even considering stopping in NSW it now looks like this is where we'll spend at least half our time! All good.
Adrian
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Kath - Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 20:47
Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008 at 20:47
Coober Pedy almostt includes
the Painted Desert across to
Oodnadatta too then Adrian as another centre to spend a day or so. It depends a bit on how much time you want photographing landscapes and the like. Facinating though pondering the old sea bed and the mica reflections beside the road between the PD and
Oodnadatta.
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Follow Up By: AdrianLR (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:59
Wednesday, Apr 02, 2008 at 22:59
Thanks
John,
From the other replies I've decided to skip
Coober Pedy this trip. Another trip up the
Oodnadatta track and surrounds will be a must in a couple of years.
All the best
Adrian
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - DOZER- Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 at 07:55
Thursday, Apr 03, 2008 at 07:55
Hi
Jock is the local who comes arround and asks if you would like a tour of his mine/home/area...quite a personality :) He even has a bottle of the Burragarang Bock in his collection (
home made beer made only at a Picton pub NSW)
I realise there will be so many
places to visit....If you like bush camping with only a
toilet and tables supplied, and plenty of walks to see Aboriginal
rock art, Mootwingie NP is on your way.
Mentioned earlier is the
Bourke and Wills depot
camp at the lakes....this is a nice place to stay, simply because you will be tracing their steps somewhat to
Innamincka, and the lakes was their starting depot
camp, with a blazed tree called the Wills tree.
Fort Gray is another lovely place to
camp, as it has pure water to replenish supplies, and a lovely short walk to some
ruins.
Have a gr8 time exploring :)
Andrew
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