Woken up by Mary at 6:20 as my phone was charging in the car. As always we were treated to a stunning sunrise over the Diamantina River and wetlands behind our campsite.
We had our 1:20min scenic flight at 7:30 in a Grand Caravan, 7 of us plus 2 couples made up the flight.
Talia was our pilot, and turns out her and her husband Courtney own the company, and she was awesome. Talia provided commentary all along.
The flight was just out of this world. Out over town, Bronco and Rodeo yards, Big and Little Red.
Adria Downs Station (10 000sq km) – owned by the Brooks Family – who owned half of Birdsville, Nemesis the Second Dune, Pandie Pandie station, Goyder Lagoon and so many different landmarks. We saw megalitres of water and green growth everywhere.
The Brooks Family brought Clifton Hills cattle station for $35million, with the charge based on 10k cattle. They rounded up 25k cattle and paid off the station – thanks to the wet weather, and fabulous feed for the stock.
In addition to hues of green to rival the Wizard of Oz, the red gibber rock provided a contrast to the various hues of green and yellow. The Diamantina River meandered its way through the landscape and water courses were running everywhere through various colours of green and yellow.
There is so much green grass they have bought hay baling equipment to cut and bale Diamantina lucerne.
The area is called Channel Country and it’s not hard to see why from the air.
We also experienced time travel, with some phones on QLD time and some in SA time.
Walked over to the famous Birdsville Bakery (also owned by the Ellis’s) for second breaky and coffee.
Then back to camp to bring in the washing and pack up. Time to fuel up and meet at the pub for departure. Col and Mary have left us to head back into the Desert to do the French Line back across to Dalhousie and down the Oodnadatta Track.
We grabbed a coffee at a new coffee shop. Karrawa Wirinya Coffee Shop.
Then we headed out of town on the Birdsville track, over the Diamantina River South towards Marree.
Not far out of town we left Queensland and entered South Australia.
A big black cat crossed the road between Kate and I. Quite a few vans coming at us today also.
The track is in pretty good nick, met a big road train.
We passed by a set of stockyards that I had seen from the plane.
Another interesting fact from the plane was that they can’t muster the very healthy cattle at the moment because they can’t get the people on the ground to do the wrangling into yards I guess.
A couple of muddy water patches to drive through.
We passed the track across to Innamincka, which is currently closed due to water, it was initially on the planned route.
Quick lunch stop at the toilets along the way at Tippitola Creek. (This was where Meg tested COVID positive after our last BRB)
We drove through Clifton Hills Station, Pandie Pandie Station, Cowarie Station, Mirra Mitta Station and Mungeranie Station They have grids and some fences to maintain cattle but signs warn of unfenced roads and wandering animals.
We had a few spots of rain and cloud overhead today. Only a mm forecast down south so hopefully not a concern for us or the roads, though they got a little slimy towards the end of the day. There were a number of creek crossings, swathes of flowers and green all the way South to Mungeranie. Also lots of birds-Ibis, egrets, plus other hawks/eagles, budgies etc.
we drove alongside Lake Howiitt for quite a way – full of water.
The terrain is ever changing – drove a section with flat Top Mesa Hills either side of the track with red gibber up the sides.
The track got a bit slimy in places with a little bit of rain, the surface was shimmering but still good to drive. The rain persisted and we were glad to pull into Mungeranie about 4:30. We paid our camping fees and waited in the pub with some pre set up drinks. Met the new owners Tip, Mark, and maintenance man, Macca with his dog Sammy. Tip, Mark and the cook/Chef Ralphie are all from Bonnie Doon and after dinner they had ‘The Castle’ showing on the big tv- there were about 8 campers watching it.
Sammy is a bit of a brown kelpie mixture maybe and was persistent about chasing the smallest sticks in the bar for a bit of fun.
We set up camp before returning to the pub for some pre-dinner drinks.
I met a lovely couple from Brisbane, who are travelling around and currently on their way to volunteer at the Big Red Bash for the second time.
Dinner was delicious 7 of us ordered the Beef Cheeks and one the Pork Belly burger. The meals were melt in the mouth delicious.
A few more drinks before heading off for a shower and bed.
The last two times I’ve stayed here I’ve had a flat tyre and had them repaired here at Mungeranie. After returning from the shower I noticed a flat back tyre – grrrr! I’m hoping that maybe the others have let it down as a joke, otherwise a tyre change is needed in the morning.
Bed was hot last night, so hoping for a cooler night tonight. Clocked up 4000km today
Travel adventures with Nicola & co. 