Madi’s Manoeuvres. Mungerannie Hotel Campground to Parachilna. Day 20 – 20 June 2024.

We were up and about early today, before six for me as we wanted to get some things seen and done.

I need to be up early to attend my flat tyre which I was hopeful was a prank by the crew but I didn’t know.

Anyway, I got up needed to unwind the spare tyre to get the monitor and Steve came and asked what I was doing, when I explained was getting ready to change my tyre he was forced to fess up that that wasn’t necessary.

There were stars during the night which was a good sign of clearing skies and some interesting cloud formations over camp this morning.
Some of the crew had kicked on at the pub and were feeling a little sore and sorry this morning, however we managed to hit our target of leaving between eight and 8:30.

A few cattle grazing by the road today they are looking extremely healthy and happy.

We have met a few caravans over the past couple of days, based on last nights conversation a few of them may be heading to Birdsville to volunteer at the Big Red Bash.

Pleased to say that we drove into sunshine and mainly blue skies.

The names of stations and truck yards etc are interesting. I missed capturing some today but here are some I did get – Etadunna Station, Mulka, Mosquito Creek, Dulkaninna Station and Creek, Muloorina Station, Well Creek, Marree Station, Willouran Range, Mundownda Station, Arabena, Deviation Creek, Farina Station, Willpoorinna Station, Paradise Creek, Farina Creek, Northfield Creek, Wendy Creek, Sundial Creek, Tea Tree Creek, plus a few others I missed.

Stopped at the old punt used to move cattle across the Cooper Creek.

We saw a pair of brolga who stayed by the side of the road for us to look at. When I stopped, they started to dance a bit and it looked like one was almost feeding the other bird.

Stopped off for a pit stop at Clayton Springs hot bore bath and campground. We have stopped here before and filled the bath for a spa in the hot mineral Springs. Today was just a loo stop and the lady had just finished cleaning so it was good timing on our part. The campground is located just opposite Clayton Station Homestead so they maintain the facilities and campground. It seems very generous for the $20 camp fee. The honesty system seems to work well out here.

A quick stop in Marree for coffee and snacks and a sneaky can of Flinders gin for later.
Headed back out to Muloorina station to see if we can get to Lake Eyre again.

We landed at the camp ground to find the road out to Lake Eyre open so we headed out the 47kms.

First water came into sight, which was Lake Eyre South.

The road out was really good and we could see water in Lake Eyre way over the other side. I took a few shots while we waited for Mary, Phil and Kate to arrive (they had a longer pit stop.)

We had hot dogs for lunch at Lake Eyre. With the Lake ticked off we were now headed for home. Back to Marree where Brian got a splash and dash of fuel, as the fuel another 70kms at Lyndhurst Hotel was 70c a litre cheaper! Makes a worthwhile difference when you are filling up around the 100 litre mark.

Then onto Parachilna campground in the old school grounds and dinner at a very swishly renovated Parachilna Pub. The meals are lots of Australian bush foods. Saltbush Dukkah, kangaroo schnitzel, goat curry, I had Grilled Haloumi with quandong emulsion, Saltbush Dukkah and Sweet Pickled Quandongs. For desert I shared a Quandong Pudding – Golden Syrup pudding, creams and Quandong syrup. They were both deeee-lush-ish. Highly recommended!!!

Everyone enjoyed their meals and some of the beers and ciders.

We drove through rain and the wind was biting. Set up quickly in the wind and walked to the pub.

We are all pretty tired after a late night and early morning and a fair days drive and no fire or warmth other than bed.