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After 7 years of dreaming and 9 months planning our 26 day outback adventure commenced on June 4 from Redland City (east of Brisbane).
Our plan was to drive to Innamincka via Roma, Charleville and Eromanga. Then to travel along the Strzelecki and Oodnadatta Tracks, take a Lake Eyre flight at William Creek and then continue on to Coober Pedy via the Painted Desert. From there up to Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs. The girls were flying home from the Alice and the boys were heading home across the Simpson Desert, Birdsville, Windorah, Thargomindah and St George.
The east coast low developing off South East Queensland provided a very wet start to the trip which required us to take a detour to avoid a road closure on the Warrego Highway just west of Ipswich.
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By the time we got to Toowoomba the rain was easing and we had driven out of the wet weather at Dalby as we headed west for our first overnight stop at Roma. As is the case in every outback trip the weather was to have a significant effect on our trip.Our group comprised Alan (PP member Bidla) and Julie in a 120 D4D, John and Gayle in a 2014 Pajero diesel and Jim PP member Pradogang)and Chris in a 2004 120 series V6. All vehicles are autos.
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We followed the bitumen ever westward overnighting at Charleville where the cloud cleared to enable the Cosmos Centre to be enjoyed. Eromanga (which claims to be the furtherest town from the sea) was our last night in Queensland. This little town has a strong personal connection for our family. In the bar at the hotel there is plaque remembering my grandfather and his two brothers who were prominent in the area in the early years of the 20th century. On my last visit in 2011, my brothers and myself spread our mums ashes and this time I was able to donate some documents and photos to the excellent history museum.
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The recent rains had transformed the outback to rich shades of green, it was amazing to see the country in such good condition. Road courtesy is always appreciated!
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The Dig Tree is a special place, Cooper Creek was full and as usual the flies were in abundance.
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The bitumen continued all the way to the South Australia border, from there the road to Innamincka had been recently graded so we had a good run into our next overnight stop.
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We had booked accommodation at the Burke Lodge Cabins and were looking forward to a hot shower after a long day on the road. We were very disappointed to find out our booking had been given to someone else despite having an email confirmation. To make things worse the owners did not have the courtesy to speak to us in person but instead relayed the message through a very embarrassed hotel employee. Many thanks to the hotel staff who were able to find rooms for us in the bunkhouse.
Next day we headed south on the Strzelecki Track towards Lyndhurst and then on to our next overnight stop at Maree. The rain which fell in the previous week had closed this track and we were very relieved to see it was open.
Our plan was to drive to Innamincka via Roma, Charleville and Eromanga. Then to travel along the Strzelecki and Oodnadatta Tracks, take a Lake Eyre flight at William Creek and then continue on to Coober Pedy via the Painted Desert. From there up to Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and Alice Springs. The girls were flying home from the Alice and the boys were heading home across the Simpson Desert, Birdsville, Windorah, Thargomindah and St George.
The east coast low developing off South East Queensland provided a very wet start to the trip which required us to take a detour to avoid a road closure on the Warrego Highway just west of Ipswich.
pic host
By the time we got to Toowoomba the rain was easing and we had driven out of the wet weather at Dalby as we headed west for our first overnight stop at Roma. As is the case in every outback trip the weather was to have a significant effect on our trip.Our group comprised Alan (PP member Bidla) and Julie in a 120 D4D, John and Gayle in a 2014 Pajero diesel and Jim PP member Pradogang)and Chris in a 2004 120 series V6. All vehicles are autos.
image hosting without account
We followed the bitumen ever westward overnighting at Charleville where the cloud cleared to enable the Cosmos Centre to be enjoyed. Eromanga (which claims to be the furtherest town from the sea) was our last night in Queensland. This little town has a strong personal connection for our family. In the bar at the hotel there is plaque remembering my grandfather and his two brothers who were prominent in the area in the early years of the 20th century. On my last visit in 2011, my brothers and myself spread our mums ashes and this time I was able to donate some documents and photos to the excellent history museum.
free image host
The recent rains had transformed the outback to rich shades of green, it was amazing to see the country in such good condition. Road courtesy is always appreciated!
free photo hosting
The Dig Tree is a special place, Cooper Creek was full and as usual the flies were in abundance.
picture hosting
The bitumen continued all the way to the South Australia border, from there the road to Innamincka had been recently graded so we had a good run into our next overnight stop.
image upload no limit
We had booked accommodation at the Burke Lodge Cabins and were looking forward to a hot shower after a long day on the road. We were very disappointed to find out our booking had been given to someone else despite having an email confirmation. To make things worse the owners did not have the courtesy to speak to us in person but instead relayed the message through a very embarrassed hotel employee. Many thanks to the hotel staff who were able to find rooms for us in the bunkhouse.
Next day we headed south on the Strzelecki Track towards Lyndhurst and then on to our next overnight stop at Maree. The rain which fell in the previous week had closed this track and we were very relieved to see it was open.
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