 Day 1: ADELAIDE - PORT AUGUSTA (350 KMS)
Follow the coastline of the Gulf St. Vincent, as the scenery changes from market garden areas to golden wheat fields, and then into the rock and semi-barren expanse of Australia. You know you are approaching the famed Australian Outback.
Overnight in Port Augusta
Day 2: QUORN - MARREE - BIRDSVILLE TRACK
Leave Port Augusta for Quorn, Hawker, and Parachilna, the open-cut coal fields of Leigh Creek, then leave the asphalt at Lyndhurst for Marree, and then onto the Birdsville Track, camping overnight on the lower reaches of the Cooper Creek.
Overnight at Coopers Creek
Day 3: MUNGERANNIE - MIRRA MITTA
Visit the Mungerannie and Mirra Mitta bores where hot artesian water gushes to the surface with a temperature of around 94 degrees centigrade. Continue on the Birdsville along the famed Birdsville Track, passing the Sturt's Stony Desert, a rocky expanse of round stones spreading further than the eye can see producing beautiful heat shimmers on warm days. After refreshments, travel to the banks of the Diamantina River, which is ideal for camping and is home to numerous varieties of birds (approx 20 kms past Birdsville).
Overnight at Diamantina River
Day 4: INNAMINCKA - CULLYAMURRA - COONGIE LAKES - CULLYMURRA WATERHOLE
Travelling past Cadelga ruins, Cordillo Downs homestead, and Patchawara bore, arriving at Innamincka mid afternoon, then on to Cullyamurra Waterhole in time to set camp, have a swim, or try your luck at fishing while the sun sets and the local birdlife settle for the night in the nearby trees.
Overnight at Cullyamurra Waterhole
Day 5: CULLYMURRA WATERHOLE - INNAMINCKA CULLYMURRA WATERHOLE (APPROX 280 KMS)
Back into Innamincka, then out to the famous 'Dig Tree', which recalls the dismay of explorers Burke and Wills in 1861. Returning to Innamincka, visit the memorial of Burke where he died, and then travel to "King's Marker", sole survivor of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition, then on the memorial of Wills.
Overnight at Cullyamurra Waterhole
Day 6: CULLYMURRA WATERHOLE - COONGIE LAKES - CULLYMURRA WATERHOLE
Travelling to view the spectacular Coongie Lakes, an expanse of freshwater in middle of nowhere, which is a have for birdlife and fish. Sunrise and sunset are absolutely spectacular, with many animals coming to the water to drink.
Overnight Cullyamurra Waterhole
Day 7: CULLYMURRA WATERHOLE - CAMERON CORNER - TIBOBURRA
A bright and early start to travel part of the famous Strzelecki Track, on to Cameron Corner, where the borders of South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales meet and then on to Tibooburra.
Overnight at Tibooburra
Day 8: TIBOOBURRA - MILPARINKA - WHITE CLIFFS - WILCANNIA (APPROX 350 KMS)
South to Milparinka, then out to Depot Glen (where the early explorer Sturt spent a horrific summer), and visit the grave of James Poole, (Sturt's second in command who died due to heat). Then it's off to the famous NSW opal mining town of White Cliffs, where the people live under-ground to avoid the heat! Wilcannia is next, to set up camp on the banks of the Darling River, part of Australia's larges inland river system, the Murray/Darling River.
Overnight at Wilcannia
Day 9: WILCANNIA - BROKEN HILL - SILVERTON - BROKEN HILL (APPROX 270 KMS)
Travel to the ghost town of Silverton via Broken Hill, and visit the numerous art galleries, then back to Broken Hill to visit the 'Bushmen from the Bush' Gallery, including works by Pro Hart (one of the original Australian bushmen). Spend a little time, and admire the beautiful carved statues, before setting up camp.
Overnight in Broken Hill
Day 10: BROKEN HILL - BURRA - CLARE - ADELAIDE (530KMS)
Today, drive through Burra to Clare. Why not stop in at one of the many vineyards in the Clare Valley for a spot of wine tasting and a late lunch. From Clare, onto Adelaide to return your Thrifty rental car and to meet your flight. |
