Birdsville

Our trip from Cloncurry to here has been on our bucket list for a while and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Leaving  Cloncurry towards Dajarra was very picturesque as you pass through a range. 

We went through a little town called Dutchess which only had a pub and a railway siding and onto Dajarra then Boulia. The creek beds are lined with magnificent white gum trees which reminded us of the Cooper Creek trees.

                                 

As we headed south, the scenery changed to become more desert like - but still with a certain charm with these sort of rocky outcrops.

                                    

Boulia was a pleasant surprise being a  neat tidy town with a grassed median strip and a modern Min Min Centre (which we didn’t have time to see) The Burke river passes through here - named when Burke & Wills crossed here and replenished their water supplies. They would get much today as the flow is reduced to a few pools. Darryl was pretty impressed with this big road train fuel tanker.                                      

The caravan park was an oasis with grass, trees and even some animals to entertain us.

The Joey is an orphaned pet and follows the owner around - even when she was cleaning the amenity block! We’ve seen two stands of Waddi trees which are unique to only 3 spots in Australia. These are just out of Bedourie, as is the Tropic of Capricorn sign. 

Bedourie boasts of being where the Simpson Desert meets the Channel country and we could certainly believe it with the rolling red dunes and many channels and creeks. The Eyre creek was pretty full and we stopped by a water hole which still had enough water to entice a couple of brolgas. There was a look out along the way which gave impressive views of the flat landscape. This is part of a natural treeless plain - just like out of Coober Pedy. 

The Royal Hotel in Bedourie was a ripper (though too early for a drink there) and we loved this creek name.

Now we are set up by the Diamantina River at Birdsville where we will enjoy our last night in Queensland. It’s a bit cooler so reckon we’ll get our fire pit out and enjoy sitting by that. It’s been far too warm recently to even consider a fire! Our last visit to Birdsville was terribly windy with swarms of flies so thankfully the flies aren’t bad and the wind has died down. It’s pretty secluded down here by the river and we’re surely social distancing! Tomorrow we head down the track so are looking forward to that trip again. We’re still some 2,500k away from Victor Harbor and seeing Mum, but we’re getting closer!! 

                        

We send our love to everyone - hope all the Dads have a great day tomorrow - we’ll be thinking of you all. Rest assured I’ll be spoiling Darryl!! Love from the travellers ❌❌❌❌❌