Getting to the GTG from SEQ

[A10 Member Find all posts View Profile Close A10]

We haven't been to Innamincka before either so would be keen to see it.

Can we fit in the Dig Tree on the way from Thargomindah to Innamincka or would that take too long.

The northern bore track is currently open so could possibly go that way and then via Epsilon and Omicron if it stays open when we are there.

Matt's original proposal had two nights at Coongie Lake as a rest day. Is there enough to see around Innamincka for a two night stay. It is good to have an easy day to break up all the other long days and they have hot showers.

My only concern with long days travelling is the time to set up when we arrive and pack up the trailer in the morning. We are not the fastest at it but we are getting quicker with more practice.

As for the southern part, no real preference. 2 or 3 nights at Arkaroola sounds good. Not worried about visiting Leigh Creek. Just as happy to travel south via Flinders Ranges to Hawker.

If we leave Brisbane on Friday 21/9, that gives us 7 nights before arriving at Bendleby.

We will probably be out of contact for the next few days as we are giving the camper a pre GTG shakedown run so will be happy with whatever the rest of the crew come up with.

[JeffH Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JeffH]

Hey Matt,
Been thinking about some options since our chat the other week and thought I'd throw this out for debate.
Sat 22nd - Thargomindah
Sun 23rd - Innaminka. With Coongie Lakes off the menu, there's not much else around Inna other than the Bourke & Wills tourist things.
Mon 24th - Back track to Nappa Merrie and the Dig Tree, then head down to Cameron Corner via Epsilon and Omnicom stations.
Tue 25th Cameron Corner to Arkaroola via Merty Merty and the Strez track, lunch, wee break at Montecollina Bore .
Wed 26th - Explore Arkaroola
Thurs 27th - Head over to Leigh Creek to check out the Super Pit and Copley Dam, then down highway to Parachilna (pub lunch)
then east through the gorges to Blinman and Wilpena.
Fri 28th - Head down to Orrooroo for fuel and restock before heading to Bendleby.

Just my thoughts, how does this sit with the others joining the SEQ crew?

Dobbo.

G'day Dobbo,

Sounds like a good plan, I'll just add a couple of thoughts of my own into the discussion:
I think that the Dig Tree could probably be done on the way to Innamincka from Thargo, when I was there last year I didn't think that there was much there to warrant anything more than an extended lunch break to have a look around, and given that it is only 14km's off the main road it's not too far out of the way.

If we did the Dig Tree on the way to Inna, then it would save a bit of back-tracking as we could then just head straight down the northern section of the Bore Track and then across to Epsilon and down to the Corner.

Another possibility may be to do it backwards and head from Thargo down to the Corner via Warri Gate (although the Middle Track is closed from Toona Gate to the Main Road, so we'd have to head down a bit further and across) or Fortville Gate, and then head towards DigTree/Innamincka the next day via Omicron/Epsilon then down south along the Old Strez and then new Strez to Arkaroola.

I'm not sure how much time we need around Arlaroola, is a day there long enough to check out the good stuff? That Northern part of the Flinders is really the only main part I haven't seen yet.
I'd definitely like to get to Parachilna Pub for a feed.

Jeff

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

Hi Jeff,

Your first idea would work. For those that haven't been to the Dig Tree, they could that one off their list and we could head off to Inna.
As for staying in Thargo overnight, it's probably better to push on to Noccundra, as other than the Explorers C/V in Thargo, I haven't found anything on the net regarding free camping on the river (but I'm sure there would be) whilst there is camping available on the Wilson River at Noccundra, and we could have an ale or two at the historic pub. It isn't to far out of the way and would leave us a shorter day to get to Inna and have a look around.
And Trev, as for the first night frenzy, every night is a first night frenzy when the PP boys are out and about

As to Innaminka itself, I think once you've had a look at the Burke and Wills memorials and markers, checked out the old mission and Trading Post and had a feed at the pub, you've seen all there is to see. The main attraction would be Coongie Lakes for the fishing, birdwatching and photography, but that's off the table with the road closure.

I've not been to Arkaroola so no idea how much time is needed.
I know we drove Skytrek and still had time to check out a couple of the gorges and get back to Wilpena before dusk, but didn't manage to get to the northern end either so I'm keen to have a look.
I guess there's nothing that says that we have to stick to one group either so it may well be up to the individual as to what they want to do.
And yeah, I'd be keen to try the Feral Mixed Grill at the Prairie hotel too

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

And yeah, I'd be keen to try the Feral Mixed Grill at the Prairie hotel too

Nuber one rule for outback travel, never go past the Prairie Hotel without stopping for a feed of FMG!

Cheers Andrew

[barajak Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close barajak]

Give yourselves as much time as you can at Arkaroola. The geology is awsome and they have a good selection of tracks to take you to it. There are also old copper mines and smelters to visit and if you are a real history buff you would probably already know that the oldest known fossils of life on earth are also at Arkaroola just laying on the ground for all to see.

[BobsSLED Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BobsSLED]

My thoughts for consideration would be to head to Thargo via Currawinya NP and Noccundra and perhaps down through Omicron into Cameron Corner. Going via Warri Gate etc is OK too. As we've done Innamincka and the Burke and Wills thing before and Coongie is now a no go naturally I'd opt for doing a route not covered before. There's nothing at Cameron but a feed and an expensive refuel. What about not leaving until Saturday 22nd too. We can't leave on the Friday really and would still like to call in at the Nindigully pub to have a look. The pre-trip then has the makings of a pub crawl of historic outback watering holes :- Nindigully, Prairie, Blinman, Craddock, (Packsaddle), Royal Mail at Hungerford as a detour, (Lyndhurst). We did parts of the Northern Flinders a couple of years ago - including Skytrek, but there's lots to see so a few days there could be worthwhile.

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

My thoughts for consideration would be to head to Thargo via Currawinya NP and Noccundra and perhaps down through Omicron into Cameron Corner. Going via Warri Gate etc is OK too. As we've done Innamincka and the Burke and Wills thing before and Coongie is now a no go naturally I'd opt for doing a route not covered before. There's nothing at Cameron but a feed and an expensive refuel. What about not leaving until Saturday 22nd too. We can't leave on the Friday really and would still like to call in at the Nindigully pub to have a look. The pre-trip then has the makings of a pub crawl of historic outback watering holes :- Nindigully, Prairie, Blinman, Craddock, (Packsaddle), Royal Mail at Hungerford as a detour, (Lyndhurst). We did parts of the Northern Flinders a couple of years ago - including Skytrek, but there's lots to see so a few days there could be worthwhile.

I can't leave Townsville until 1200 hrs on the 22nd at the earliest. Won't finish work untill 2327 hrs on 21st.
If possible, I would really like to be able to meet up with you guys on the pre trip, otherwise we will catch up with you at the GTG.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

It's getting real close now... The plan so far...

I will maintain the most recent version of the plan in the initial post to save you hunting for the latest plan.

Here is the plan (as at 21-Aug). If there are changes, I will keep updating them in this post:

21-Sep: Starting point - St George (LiveFreeAndRoam meets with Jeff H, A10) (Convoy of 3)
22-Sep: St George - Thargomindah (Party meets with Dobbo and Andrew) (Convoy of 5)
23-Sep: Thargomindah - Noccundra (optional) - Dig Tree - Innamincka
24-Sep: Explore Around Innamincka/Rest Day (Party meets with Stewy, BobSled) (Convoy of 7)
25-Sep: Innamincka - Epsilon - Cameron Corner (Party meets with Quicky) (Convoy of 8)
26-Sep: Cameron Corner - Montecollina Bore - Arkaroola Village (Party meets with TBD) (Convoy of ?)
27-Sep: Arkaroola Village (spend the day doing the low-range 4WD loop or rest day)
28-Sep: Arkaroola Village - Hawker (last fuel stop) - Bendleby Ranges (Party meets up with GTG) (Convoy of 40!!!)
29-Sep: Official Start of SA GTG

I've been through all the posts (phew) and please correct me if I have missed someone.

Confirmed Travellers

1. LiveFreeAndRoam
2. Jeff H
3. Dobbo
4. Stewy
5. BobSled
6. A10
7. Quicky

To Be Confirmed

1. Case
2. Braddo
3. ??

Did I miss anyone who will be joining the convoy? If so where do you plan to meet the convoy?

LFaR.

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

Hi LFaR,

I have yet to find out if it is open from Windorah to Innamincka.
If there are no problems through that way, I should be Innamincka on the 24th all things going well.

Cheers
Lawrie

[A10 Member Find all posts View Profile Close A10]

LFaR,

Looks good to me. I thought the first night was going to be at Nindigully. Is there a reason for changing it to St George. Doesn't worry me either way - just curious.

Graham

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Hi Graham,

Well spotted!

Nindigully started slipping from favour after taking into account a couple of things. Jeff H's travel plans has St George on his route and he plans to meet us there. I've heard Nindigully is a great place for a break/meal but staying there is no prize. Meanwhile, I've heard about a couple of very attractive campsites around St George area.

LFaR.

[LiveFreeAndRoam Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close LiveFreeAndRoam]

Hi Lawrie,

That's good news. I'll lock you in for the 24th at Innamincka.

LFaR.

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

i hate you all!! I may have to run away from home.

[Dobbo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dobbo]

i hate you all!! I may have to run away from home.

Ring Ring Ring Ring... Hi Dobbo, it's Gaye, have you seen Richo>>>>

Dobbo: Richo who???

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

Instead of where's Wally?

We can have a where's Richo? puzzle.