Montecollina Bore

Day 22 & 23

We finally hit the Strzelecki Track on the way to Innamincka.  We plan to stop half way at Montecollina Bore if suitable.

The Strzelecki Track (Lyndhurst)

A short way up the track we stopped at a creek crossing to replenish our firewood supplies that had surprisingly been depleted.  As we gathered fuel, this strange herd of cows watched on curiously.

Road Side Wood Stop

From the Strzelecki, you can make out the Flinders Ranges in the distance.

Strzelecki View to the South

We hit a small patch of bitumen where Mike decides to check a tyre on the van that seems to be miss behaving.   On closer inspection, yes there is a hole so we take a break whilst Mike, under Jans close supervision, does a quick tyre change.  He is quite good at this now.

Mike, It’s That Tyre There

We cross the famous dog fence with all its bells and whistles and pull into a roadside layby.  Mainly so Sal and Col can chuff down a durrie.  But appearing from beneath Mike and Jan’s hybrid, a large pool of water was beginning to form.  Somewhere down the road, a rock had broken the tap joining their water tanks.  Not a good thing in the desert.  An impromptu repair sees a new tap installed and all is good.

Mike Replacing Water Tap

The drive was scattered with patches of gravel, bitumen and rocky corrugations, not to mention the occasional road train.

The Strzelecki Track

Strzelecki Track Road Train

Arriving at Montecollina Bore we were amazed at what was here.  Besides the billion flys, lay a picturesque landscape.  The waterhole had an abundance of birdlife and shady trees.  No toilets but we decided to stay two nights to take in all that is to offer.

Montecollina Bore

Unfortunately Mike again sensed a tyre problem.  The tyre we had plugged and returned to the car not so good.  He did discover that it wasn’t the repair that had failed, but the tyre now had a second hole.  This one between the tread and the wall.  It would take more than one plug, but we do what we can do.

Mike Inspects Suspect Tyre

We found a nice spot between the dunes setup camp for the next two nights and settled in.  A pit fire was dug and barbeque readied.

Montecollina Bore Camp

This was a breezy evening.  Overnight we estimated gusts in excess of 50 km/h.  Sally and Colin in their popup camper trailer were harassed all night with the flapping of canvass and squeaking of poles.  And did I mention it was cold?

Sally Braves the Cold by the Fire

The next day coffee seamed to make things a little better.  We all took this opportunity to explore Montecollina Bore spotting Corellas, Ducks, Red Legged Storks to name a few.  

Corellas

Colin even tried his luck at catching those elusive yabbies.

Col Trying to Snag a Yabby for Lunch

Colin’s Catch

We spotted some wood ducks on the bank, but the crows here must be depart for food as two crows worried one of the ducks until giving up.  Col never new crows would actively hunt prey when hungry, but there you go.

Ducks By Montecollina Bore

Duck Chased by Crows

We settled in for our second evening, this time something more simple.  Mike and Jan roasted vegies on the fire and the cards came out again to fill the time.

Mike and Jan Do Veggies

Sally Prepares Sweet Potato Chips over Gas

Finally, drinks around the camp fire.

Camp Fire Drinks

As a sub note, you know how we said it was windy the previous night.  Tonight was quite still.  But when Colin made coffee for Sal at 6am, he checked the thermometer and it read:   ****3.5oC***.    It was warmer inside our car fridge.  Brrrrrrr.

Lyndhurst

Day 21

It wasn’t too long driving down the Birdsville that we in counted our first delay for the day.  Col had managed to puncture the other trailer tyre.

Col Trying to find the problem?

There appears to be a small hole in his tyre but that’s ok.  He knew Mike was now a confident tyre plugger. 

Mike, How Many Plugs Will This take?

One again mobile, we turned off the Birdsville at Maree and head south.  We took a small diversion to visit Farina, a small ghost town that once serviced the Ghan Rail.  A Team of enthusiasts have banded together to preserve the ruins.  One venture is the reopening of the Farina underground bakery.  Lunch solved.  Sally and Colin had pasties which, after their Maree experience, tasted like gold. MMMMMMM. 

Transcontinental Hotel Farina

We arrived in Lyndhurst mid afternoon and booked into the caravan park to charge batteries in preparation for the oncoming Strzelecki leg.  After a walk around town, we noted that neither service stations sold unleaded.  Mainly because one was closed and the other was diesel only.  After consulting the local publican, a sixty kilometre trip to nearby Copley was required.  So Sal and Col unhitched the camper and proceeded south to Copley, just near Leigh Creek for fuel.  In Copley they parked opposite the Copley Hotel were mobile coverage was possible for brief call home.

Copley Hotel

Returning to Lyndhurst, we adjourned to the pub for dinner.  The place was crowded.  Major road works between Farina and Lyndhurst meant that the bar was full workers.  Pub meals were off and we had to settle for a $20 smorgasbord.  Not as appealing as what was on the regular menu.  Such is life.

Lyndhurst Hotel

In the morning we rose early.  We know that this is part of the Montecolina post but sunrise at Lyndhurst was a great way to start the day.  The line up of semis confirmed the Strzelecki Track was truly open.

Lyndhurst Sunrise

Trucks in The Street

Cooper Creek Crossing (Birdsville Track)

Day 20

Although the northern end of the Birdsville Track is closed to Trailers and Caravans, it was open to all traffic as far as Mungerannie.  On our original itinerary, we had scheduled an overnighter at either River Clayton or the Cooper River Crossing.  So we opted to journey up the Birdsville and pick one to stay at.

Our first pit stop along the way was at the Lake Eyre South lookout.  We had done this 10 years back and even this time with all the rain and cyclones up north, Lake Eyre South remains empty.

Lake Eyre South Lookout

Next stop was Marree.  Here to fuel up and take on some light provisions.  The general store was light on for customer service and served arguably the worst pasties in Australia.

Marree General Store

Then it was onto The Birdsville Track

Birdsville Track Turnoff

The scenery along the way was classic, including these little road runners we clocked along the way.

Birdsville Track Kangaroos

Birdsville Track Emus

Passing the River Clayton crossing we had a quick look at the camping facilities and although there was an excellent artesian fed pool and clean flushing toilet, there was little shade so we decided to push on to check out Cooper Creek crossing camp ground.

River Clayton Crossing Pool and Toilet

We reached Cooper Creek, persisting with the flys until dusk, set up camp, lit a fire, cracked open a cold one. 

Cooper Creek Crossing Camp

The camp ground did have the luxury of a flushing toilet.  Fire wood was scarce so a possie was detached to scavenge for wood.

Tonight, camp fire jaffles and panini are on the menu. 

Dinner Preparations

 Life is Good.

Birdsville Track Sunset

 

Coward Spring (Lake Eyre Flight)

Day 18 & 19

It was an early start.  Mike and Col were booked on a 7am 1hour scenic flight around Lake Eyre.  Barely time for a cuppa and a smoke.

William Creek Sunrise

Michael Receives His Pre Flight Briefing 

Taxing For Take Off

The Gang on Board (sorry about the quality. Selfies aren’t my forte)

Overtaking a Semi Trailer on the Oodnadatta the Easy Way

Approaching Lake Eyre

Reflections on the Lake

Lake Eyre Island

William Creek Roadhouse from above

Upon returning from our flight, we quickly broke camp and continued south east to Coward Springs. This camp was so much better than the crowded and noisy Oodnadatta and William Creek parks.  These guys know how to operate a tourist park.  Greeted at the gate and shown an area to our liking, we setup and decided we’ll stay 2 days.

Coward Springs Camp

This again, a relic of the Old Ghan Railway providing further insight into life in this region over 100 years ago.  In this case an engine drivers cottage restore and converted into a museum.  And a bore that now provides life to what once was desert.  At the bore head, a spa had been constructed and once found, Col had no Choice.

Colin in the Artesian Bore Spa

Later, back at camp, we prepared the fire for a BBQ and filled in time playing 500.  Absolutely no pressure.

Pre-Dinner Drinks Around the Campfire

The next day was more of the same.  A dip in the spar for Mike and Col.  More exploring around the campground then back to camp.  As today is Sunday, a roast dinner is the go.  But wait…..  no pub, no restaurant, no roadhouse.  What are we to do?

Mike and Jan to the rescue.  They produced a cut of beef and the camp oven roast dinner was on.

Preparing Camp Oven Roast

Cooking Campfire Roast

Campfire Roast Aftermath

The end of another successful day.

Coward Springs Sunset