Mt Little Station Flinders Ranges.

We arrived at Mt Little Station after our morning tea break at Parachilna. The iconic Prairie hotel is currently being renovated - and we were impressed with the metal sculptures - especially the old Ghan one as you’d swear a train was coming! 

We set up at Mt Little on a very spacious campsite with a picturesque outlook of the Elder Range. It’s a beautiful spot - albeit a little windy and dusty at times! There are some 25 camping sites - all secluded and far apart. 

This is the sort of station stay we really enjoy as we have access to the whole property and we’ve made the most of that, using the mud map to guide us to various locations. We also have flush toilets and hot showers powered by a solar pump - which works very well during daylight hours. Darryl enjoyed testing his skill driving up Mt Little - which looks just that until you start to ascend - then it’s very steep and rough! 

There are many ruins on the property - remnants of early settlers attempting to farm their 2,500 acre Soldier Settlement blocks. It’s so desolate and stony it must have been heart breaking to realise this isn’t cropping country!
There is a beautiful old homestead which can be hired - and they have another house being renovated which will be another style of accommodation. It’s a fair way off yet!

Owners Peter & Kelly are very friendly and obliging and have sat around our campfire a couple of nights now, answering our questions about their farming operations and visions for the future with tourism. We were even invited up to their house for dinner on our last night so feel very privileged to be spoilt with a beautiful lamb roast. They currently run 1500 merino sheep and 40 Santa Gertrudis breeding cows. The Heyson and Mawson trails run through the property and we’ve noticed several mountain bikers go past - and yesterday a bus collected 37 walkers who had completed a 32km walk!! They looked pretty weary as they marched towards the bus! 

We did a scenic tour of the Ranges and loved the spectacular sights of the mountain peaks around Wilpena Pound and the Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges with the magnificent gum trees and rock walls. We saw some very healthy looking goats, an echidna, eagles and kangaroos - the most wildlife we’ve seen this trip. There were camels on the property too.

We visited the Jeff Morgan’s art gallery in Hawker where we were blown away by his panoramas of the mountains - we spent ages admiring each one and trying to find the animals. If you are travelling in this area, we’d certainly encourage you to visit and be amazed. His next panorama is going to be of a shearing shed - we’ll be back to see that,  that’s for sure! 

We always thought this was going to be a mystery trip - and that’s certainly what it’s turned out to be. Due to a suspension problem with our van, our plans have changed and we’re travelling to Goolwa to see mum earlier than we thought - and without the van! Dennis & Tops have left us and are heading home for appointments. So our camping trip will have a little hiatus and this will be the last blog before we head off again! ❌❌❌

Strzelecki Track

We left Innamincka bright and early all prepared for the long trip down the Strzelecki - extra fuel on board and all looking forward to this trip - it’s about the only outback track we hadn’t done. Seeing fuel was an issue - there are no fuel stops along the 471km track, we decided to take the short cut along the old track. Well, we saved 20kms but added an hour to our time, so probably didn’t save anything! The first part of the track was great, then it deteriorated to a fairly rugged track - with side track detours around wet spots, it was real off road driving!

We managed it fine though and it’s something we’re glad we’ve tackled. Once we hit the new track, it was totally different as it’s a properly formed and maintained road. There were still some rough spots - we were glad we weren’t travelling like this chap! He has been travelling 4 years on his bike - and loving it especially seeing he’s from UK.

All of our lives we have heard about Moomba so it was good to actually see it - even though you can’t access the place, there is a viewing area with information. It’s quite a big complex with gas being piped all over the place. It would be great to see the spectacle of the flares at night. 

We used the jerrycan of fuel and it turns out just as well, as Dennis reached Lyndhurst with 18km distance to empty showing on his gauge! The last 50km were rather nervous and we were pretty happy to see those fuel pumps! We headed to Farina and spent a night there - albeit a worrying one as we suddenly had no power - not even enough to run the pump! We switched everything off and tried to work out what was going on as we’d left with full batteries and had travelled all day! Things always seem worse at night! 

Anyway we only had to travel about 50km to Copley where Tops and I hit the washing machines and Dennis & Darryl worked on a few repairs and sorted out our problem - a dodgy Anderson Plug!! We cleaned the vans and I had the added job of cleaning out our car fridge,  as my cut up pumpkin had squashed all over the beer cans! It was one big mess and the pumpkin beer wasn’t appreciated! So we are all set with power, clean vans and the luxury of clean sheets and towels! 

We were told that we would see heaps of bird life on the coal fields reclamation dam - but apart from some pelicans, swans and ducks there weren’t that many.  Seeing it was Tops’s birthday, we dined at the Copley pub and enjoyed a lovely meal. It was good to see the place busy - it’s a lovely old hotel and the staff were very friendly.

It is amazing to see the abandoned coal fields and also to see the Leigh Creek township reduced to a fraction of what it was - and lots of the infrastructure is being taken away shortly. However, the locals are lovely and friendly and love living there. We were able to replenish supplies at a well stocked IGA and bottle shop!

                                                    

We are enjoying a rest day in the sun and tomorrow head a bit south to a station stay in the Flinders Ranges. We are quite fond of this little town - the park suits us, everyone is friendly and the Quondong bakery is a bonus with lovely coffee and delightful cakes, pies, pasties and sausage rolls. It’s is extremely popular and busy each day. 

We trust everyone is well and happy - we sure are as we enjoy our travels around this lovely part of the country. 

Love from Marg Darryl, Dennis & Tops ❌❌❌❌

Innamincka

After replenishing our supplies at Tibooburra, we headed north along the Warri Gate road to Noccundra. The road from Tibooburra to Warri Gate is being prepared for sealing, and the detour was a bit rough - but it will be good when done. At the Warri Gate, we just opened the gate and entered Queensland. 

We drove through varied scenery - and were happy to see our favourite cattle along the way. We believe we are privileged to witness the green Strezleiki desert - although some parts were the usual stony barren desert. We stayed overnight at Noccundra down by the Wilson River. Noccundra is really only a pub but they offer  river camping with access to showers and toilets - all for a donation. A very welcome spot after a long drive from Tibooburra.

The drive from Noccundra along the Adventure Way to here at Innamincka was easy seeing it was all bitumen - and no traffic! We came across the Cooper Creek floodplain where the little waterways were still wet, and the Cooper running very well. There’s lots of yabbies out here - only trouble is, they aren’t ours!

It’s amazing how many gas operations you see out here - it’s probably why the road was sealed!

We are set up right on the banks of the Cooper Creek town common - along with millions of very annoying flies! Fly nets are certainly useful here. We’re at the common as in the National Park sites, we can’t have camp fires - lots must think like us as it’s a pretty popular spot - all for $5 a night! The water is really flowing over the weir and the pelicans must be getting a feed.

We’ve learned that there’s no fuel along the Strezleki Track to Lyndhurst -  so the kind folk in the general store will sell us a jerry can + fuel to be on the safe side. Once down this track we will reassess our options and plan a day or two ahead. Today, as it’s Mother’s Day, our lovely husbands are taking us out for lunch at the pub - just as well as I doubt I could compete with the flies here. We wish all mums a lovely day ❤️❤️. 

We’re looking forward to hearing about Ruby & Lindsay’s 21st celebrations - maybe there are some tired people today. Till our next blog, we send our love & best wishes ❌❌❌❌

 

Outback NSW

Well, I’m having my fix of rough roads, red dirt, iconic pubs and even our first wildflowers - plus an odd fly or two as well! 

At Goodwood station, we camped by this billabong which was very pretty - only marred a bit by strong winds and red dust! We really enjoyed our rustic showers each night and took advantage of the free washing machine. 

We were happily able to collect more wood there to use on our campfire - and to cook our delicious meal! 

We travelled over a very corrugated road to visit the Peery Lake - which honestly was a little underwhelming - maybe I was expecting too much but the information board was lacking detail, the bird life wasn’t prolific - only a few cockies, and the water was a fair way out. We did make the most of our time there with a short walk and a picnic lunch and now we can cross that off our to do list! 

We fuelled up at White Cliffs where Darryl had some running repairs to do as we lost an Anderson plug. Luckily we’re always prepared and carry spares. The trip from there to the Silver City highway was great - no traffic and varying scenery and very healthy trees and vegetation. Along the highway to Tibooburra the recent rains were evidenced by debris along creek beds and the grass was so green and lush it’s a green centre!

We enjoyed our night at Milparinka - over the years we have witnessed the improvements by the locals to this outback remnants of a mining town. There is a small campground with new facilities, a mining & heritage centre and best of all, a beaut old pub where we dined out in style! It was surprising to see how busy this place was and our meals were delicious. The sunset in the ruins was very spectacular.

We’re going to stock up in Tibooburra and check road conditions before we head across the border. This weekend we’ll be thinking of Ruby celebrating her 21st and can imagine it will be a happy occasion! Also to all the mums - we hope your day is special on Sunday  - Tops and I will no doubt be spoilt by our husbands 😏. 

We trust all is well with everyone and send our love ❌❌❌ from the happy campers. 

Heading North

We had an easy trip from Deniliquin to Hay, stopping along the way for morning cuppa at the Pepin rest area. We were also very impressed with the art on the water towers at Hay.

We camped at Sandy Point - a free camp on the river - and very popular! For an overnighter, it was fine. We met Dennis & Tops there and enjoyed sitting around our camp fire and being together again.                                           

The trip from Hay to Wilcannia  was also quite easy, with stops at Booligal for our first break, and lunch at Ivanhoe. We learned that the Lachlan River is at Booligal, and this little place had a lovely rest stop by a nice green oval. We are now camped at Warrawong on the Darling on another lovely grassed area - we had thought we’d be bush camping by the river, but happily it’s too wet there as the Darling is really high and flowing. Last year when we saw the Darling at Wilcannia, it was just a series of puddles, so it’s fantastic to see! We did enjoy the lovely sunset too! 

This is the old bridge at Wilcannia - much like our Murrabit bridge.

We did a tour of the town, and enjoyed a coffee at the little pop up coffee van. Wilcannia has some beautiful old buildings and we loved this hospital.

From here we are heading to a station stay out of White Cliffs and not far from Peery Lake. Although the water in the lake is receding, we do hope to see some bird life. It’s also rather busy here so we’re looking forward to camping by a billabong where it will be very peaceful! 

It’s been quite warm here, but now is cooling down and we’ve seen thunder storms go around us. Hope those rain clouds are heading Murrabit’s way!! 

So until our next blog, we send our love and best wishes to you all. ❌❌❌❌

Mystery Trip

This year our trip is very different to our usual annual trips, in that we have no far away destination in mind - just a vague idea of where we’ll head. We plan to be more relaxed and enjoy the places we often just drive through. We are mindful that my mum is in her 103rd year and is quite frail, so we don’t want to be too far away.

We finally set off last week after Josh and Jess were able to move into their new house. That was a relief for them - and for Kristian as the builder! We helped move in the lounge suite and floor rug, then left the excited couple to settle in. It’s a beautiful home and they look forward to many happy years there.

                               

   
Our first destination was camp Boosey at Scott & Berny’s over Yarrawonga way. It was perfect timing as we were able to watch all the sport at the local Katamatite oval and then a night game in Wangaratta. Abbey rocked up in a very jazzy Mercedes which was very popular. And James had his own cheer squad!

It was lovely to catch up with the family - all are well and busy! We saw Ben’s new house and also caught up with Mark & Kerri at Chloe’s new house - so a very full family weekend!

Whilst we were there Dennis & Tops received news of a sudden death and wanted to attend the funeral today, so we completed a bit of a loop and after a week, we’re here at Deniliquin and Dennis &Tops are back home. Dennis was also fortunate to have enough time to purchase another tractor! We made Urana our next stop, and what a beautiful little place this is! We were very lucky to be in the right place at the right time, and to be offered a ride in a party boat around the lake. We had no hesitation in accepting that offer and enjoyed a scenic tour of the lovely lake. 

We had a day trip to Lockhart and their street art is quite spectacular. We also spent some time in the museum, which was very well presented.

We had an easy trip from Urana to here, with a coffee stop at Jerilderie. We’ve driven past this caravan park by the bridge many times, and always comment that it would be a good place to stay - well it sure is! We’re able to have our campfire and it’s spacious, clean, tidy and quite picturesque on the banks of the Edward River. It’s an easy walk into town and we toured around and found things we didn’t know were here. The new Depot museum here is well worth seeing with great displays - it’s lovely to see things like this virtually on our doorstep! 

Tomorrow we pack up and will meet our travelling partners in Hay - what a pity Murrabit are playing Hay at home! From there we’ll look at our options but there’s a park out of Wilcannia that’s been on my wish list for a while so perhaps we’ll end up there? We’ve been very fortunate with the weather as it’s been glorious and perfect for camping. We trust everyone is also enjoying this beautiful weather and are as happy as we are.

Love from Marg & Darryl