Madi’s Manoeuvres. Moolooloo to Marree. Day 4 – 4 June 2024.

Rain Overnight. A little on the end of the swag, but no one has rain where it shouldn’t be.

Today we are moving on while waiting for updates re track closures following this rain band.

There were some robust discussions around a delightful first campfire re possibilities last night.

We really want to get to Lake Eyre but the planned Halligan Bay track to Lake Eyre is closed for June so the only option is Half Post Bay. The plan is to head up the Outback Way to Marree and head out to Lake Eyre.

I was up early and started the fire. We packed up in persistent rain. Put the fire out and we headed out to check out Knob Hill Lookout not too far from camp. It was dreary but the Flinders Ranges are still spectacular even in the gloomy misty rain. The tracks were a bit slippery, but no issue.

Then we headed off towards Farina. A quick stop in Leigh Creek to top up fuel and I replaced my key fob battery which chose this morning to be flat. ( fuel prices are sneaking up @ $2.26)

Onto Farina – an old town along the Old Ghan Railway. Once the Ghan was relocated to a less flood prone route, Farina became surplus to need. The last person left Farina in 1980 . The place has an amazing history. Friends of Farina have been preserving the ruins for many years. In the past few years they have resurrected the old underground bakery and built a new bakery. So it was only thing to do was to support the volunteers by purchasing pies and coffees for lunch. A quick tour of the old town B including the FCG – an oval I definitely wouldn’t like to slide on for a catch.

The rain didn’t let up all day and we soon learnt that none of the roads beyond Marree are open. We gathered at the Marree Monument for a meeting and decided Marree for the night.

So we pulled into the caravan park and secured a possie for 6 cars and 10 people. We manipulated ourselves into the space and set up a few extra awnings.
It was only mid arvo about 2:30 ish. Showers and some phaffing, Phil wired up his compressor. The shower was awesome as it’s been a couple of days since our last shower. We sat around camp and the rain eased off with a bit of sun creating a sunset behind stormy clouds.

Tea cooked in each camp – we enjoyed a spicy Red Thai Chicken curry.

Others had a stroganoff with fettuccine, spag bol and the Jacksons a bit of a mixture.

Some drinks and chats, there were some stars for a while, but unfortunately by cuppa tea time it was spitting rain again.

Unsure what the options will be. Maybe some roads open, maybe not. Perhaps another day here in Marree.