Innaminka to Dig Tree - 70kms

Dig Tree Carving

Now that sounds like a nice pleasant 70kms.   But it took us hours.    Sometimes we were down to 30kmh as the roads were so rugged.    The 14kms into our camp spot at Dig Tree on the Nappa Merri Station was the worst we had come across.    We were shaken every inch of the way.    Camped up by a river, which looked very dirty, but some were tempted to swim or kayak in it.    We had a catered dinner here, the young station hands cooked us a bbq, and catered for us with meats, salads and dessert and coffee.   They were a terrific bunch of people.   One of the young station hands being coerced into talking to us about his life and his reasons for leaving the "big smoke".    This was a fund raiser for the Flying Doctors Service.    Dig Tree is famous for the Burke & Wills Expedition.    Its a very sad and graphic tale.     We had a small campfire, port was drunk and no one was looking forward to the trip out to the "highway" again.     On our way out of the camp spot we heard that one of our safari members, who owns a fifth wheeler, had lost the wheel, the drum and everything off his axle.   We were all asked to keep an eye out for them.    We found where it had parted from his vehicle but nothing more.    Found out much later that one of the station hands had found it a few days later in the bush.   Poor Peter had to limp back into "civilisation" and get some repairs.   He was going to join us again but decided to head home and take his fifth wheeler company to task.

Montecollina Bore to Innaminka - 260kms

The road has started to change and is becoming quite rocky.    We were lucky to stop over for coffee and to stretch our legs at the Moomba Gas Fields and discover we had service on our phones and internet.   It was funny to see everyone scrambling for their devices, rejoicing in being "in touch" again.   Quick emails & calls were made whilst having a break.   Oh how we take pleasure in such trivial things sometimes.    Our camp spot at Innaminka was down in very dry and dusty creek bed.   Lots of people here, now, 4WDs, camper trailers, caravans etc.   All headed to Birdsville.     Innaminka consists of a pub and a general store.    The price of essential items were thru the roof, but we got used to that as we travelled the Outback.   At each of our stopovers we have had to top up with fuel to ensure that we got thru to the next fuelstop.   Back in Lyndhurst, at the start of the Strezlecki Track they had run out of Unleaded Petrol when we arrived but had supplies the next day.

Montecollina Bore

We started to drive thru vast sand plains.   It was quite strange.    Felt like you were at the beach as you saw mile upon mile of these yellow sand dunes.

But Oh What a Feeling.   The artesian bore was a magic spot to stop and camp up.   Yes, the flies came in their droves and we were surrounded by nothing but sand but after the stresses of the roads, it was great to see this Oasis.    The bore comes out of the ground quite hot into a smaller pool and then flows over into the larger one.    You could sit on the edge of the pool and be sitting in cold/warm/hot depending on where you sat.    Naturally it was the spot for some happy hour drinks. Rick and Tony, fly veils, hats & beers.
 

Camped amongst the sand dunes at the Bore.  Nothing but sand as far as you can see.

Farina to Montecolino Bore - 244kms

The bore was our next camp spot, but for us, it was the start of the Strezlecki Track at Lyndhurst.  Every one fuelled up and set off on what was immediately obvious - a bloody tough journey.    The road conditions were sandy, rocky, gravelly, corrugated, grids, creek crossings and corrugations that shook the bejesus out of us and our bus.    Surely it cant be that bad forever.   Are we just experiencing a "rough patch"      The dust was unbeleivable.    Many times, you had now idea if there were any motorhomes in front of you, the dust was so thick and would hang in the air, making it difficult and dangerous.

 All you knew was that there were motorhomes up ahead because of the dust hanging in the air.   Our bus was filled with dust and we could hear the rocks and gravel being thrown up under the bus, wondering what damage we were possibly doing.    Constant calling on our CBs letting others know you were behind them and wanting to pass or letting others know about oncoming traffic, which often couldnt be seen for dust.  We all had numbers on the rear of the motorhomes so that you could call No 46 passing No 11 etc.   As we got to know each other more, it could be a bit more personalised but for the most part, you couldnt see anyones number until you were virtually sitting on their tails because of the conditions.

Craddock to Farina Ruins - 305km

As we left Craddock, the scenery was stunning.   Many of the fields were full of crops emerald green in colour.   Lots of kangaroos and emus spotted.     Called into Wilpena Pound in the Flinders for a quick look, but the easiest walk here was 3 hrs. and we werent up to it, nor did we have time.   Then we continued thru some lovely forested areas until we arrived at the Pub.   Would you beleive, along came Tony & Ros again!!!!   The pub had a special on Port and Rick and Tony (this one from Qld. and a fellow safari member) bought 5 Litres each. for $30.  Great campfire drink.    Nice lunch and drinks at the pub, a quick look at the town, virtually blink and thats it.

We then drove thru Parachillna Gorge.   This drive took us over 32kms of gravel, the gorge was beautiful.   There was still a little water running in a few of the creeks so we had a few "creek crossings!!!!!"  Actually more like puddle crossings. SA has had more rain than any other state this year, and we had expected the gorge to be far more wet than what it was.  But we loved it so much.   A big highlight for us.

 Had a very boring drive thru to Leigh Creek, Lyndhurst and Farina Ruins, our next camp spot.   This emu needed a burst of speed to get past us as we headed down the road.    Saw quite a few big open cut coal operations along this stretch but for the most part it was seriously boring.   We stopped at Leigh Creek, some 60 kms from Camp as we needed to check out our phone & email messages.   Hadnt had any service for a few days.   Numerous attempts to call Bali and wish Bella a very happy 7th birthday failed as we continually were told "this service is unavailable"   So an email was sent instead.   Little did we realise that service would be non existent for the next few days.   In fact, service would be unavailable for a very long time on this trip.

The "road into Farina Campground"  There are two motorhomes in front of us ???????

Our camp spot at Farina Ruins was huge.   We spent two days camped here, battling flies every moment of the day.   Happy Hours were spent with most of us in hats & fly veils.   Funny to watch as many of us forgot about the fly veils and tried to drink our beers and eat nibbles, forgetting about the damn veils.   We bought our veils in 2011 and had never needed them until now.   Great look!!!!!   Felt like we were all on track to become muslim   .The boys collected firewood for two campfires and we had two great nights, relaxing with fellow safari- ites. Gerarrd & Maguy are frenchies from Carrum (Vic) and their motorhome is called OZFrog.   Gerrard toasted marshmellows and the boys drank port.   The weather was beautiful, the flies had all gone to bed and we had a really nice time here.   Its very very hot however and we have been in shorts & thongs since Broken Hill.    The Farina Township was once massive, but now like most, it has been dismantled, removed or just left to disintegrate. Such a harsh environment, it is hard for us to imagine the type of life they led out in this dry & dusty part of SA.   There was a hotel, hospital, homes, bakery, and a brothel.   Whoo Whoo.

Yunta to Craddock - 200kms

We left Yunta and were happy to see a more greener countryside.   A lunchtime stopover in Peterborough saw us bump into Ros & Tony, our SA friends.  They were on their way to the Flinders Ranges.   A happy "reunion catch up" took place.   Said our goodbyes and off we went. Our camp spot at Craddock was at the rear of the pub, the only building in town.   A happy hour round the bus started and finished quickly as the temp. dropped.  Off to the pub, crowded shoulder to shoulder at the bar with a nice fire burning.   We had dinner in shifts here as the dining room was far too small to cater for all of us.   A great night.  Looking forward to driving thru the Flinders Ranges next as we have got a lunch at the historic Blinman Pub.