Big Rocking Horse The Big Rocking Horse is a tourist attraction found in the small town of Gumeracha, South Australia in the Adelaide hills. The structure stands at over eighteen metres. Of course it does not rock. It's fixed firmly to the ground. There is a large shop with souvenirs to purchase, sweets shop and a café. A two-dollar entry fee (2024) applies to climb the Big Rocking Horse. An internal steel round rung ladder in one of the legs connects to the top platform. A visit to the Big Rocking Horse is good for the novelty. Some pet animals are in enclosures onsite. Hand feeding of the animals is allowed for two dollars per bag of feed and an additional four dollars for entry to the animal park. Kangaroos, Wallabies and emus. Assorted farm animals may be hand fed. Open daily. Good for kids. Great for people of all ages and the young at heart. Wooden Toy Factory At The Big Rocking Horse Discover the charm of witnessing the intricate craftsmanship of a traditional onsite wooden toy factory. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of skilled artisans meticulously carving, shaping, and assembling each toy with precision and care. From the raw materials to the finished products, experience the journey of a wooden toy coming to life right before your eyes. As you explore the factory, you'll have the opportunity to observe the various stages of production, gaining a deeper appreciation for the time-honoured techniques and attention to detail that go into creating these timeless treasures. From classic wooden trains and dolls to whimsical puzzles and games, each toy is a testament to the artistry and dedication of the craftsmen. After witnessing the craftsmanship firsthand, step into the onsite store where a delightful array of completed toys awaits. Whether you're looking for a special gift or a unique keepsake, you'll find a wide selection of beautifully crafted wooden toys to choose from. Each toy tells a story of tradition, quality, and creativity, making it a meaningful addition to any collection. Take home not just a toy, but a piece of history and craftsmanship that captures the essence of a bygone era. Support local artisans and celebrate the beauty of handmade wooden toys that are not only playthings but also works of art. Visit the onsite wooden toy factory and bring home a piece of timeless craftsmanship that will be cherished for generations to come. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP GUMERACHA GOOGLE MAPS THE BIG ROCKING HORSE DRIVE ADELAIDE TO THE BIG ROCKING HORSE THE BIG ROCKING HORSE BIG ROCKING HORSE SIGNAGE THE BIG AND LITTLE ROCKING HORSE THE BIG ROCKING HORSE CERTIFICATE THE BIG ROCKING HORSE PREV PAGE NEXT HOMEPAGE

The National Motor Museum, is located in the township of Birdwood. In the Adelaide hills of South Australia. Established in 1964 it's Australia's largest motor museum. Up to four hundred vehicles are on display and the history of the motor vehicle's role in the development of Australia. Both in culture and transportation. Motor cars, motorbikes and a few trucks. From the early days of motoring to the present. Allow a few hours to walk through. There are very extensive display areas. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP BIRDWOOD GOOGLE MAPS NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM GOOGLE MAPS DRIVE ADELAIDE TO BIRDWOOD NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM, BIRDWOOD THE BUGATTI VEYRON EB 16.4 The Veyron features an 8.0-litre, quad-turbocharged, W16 cylinder engine, equivalent to two narrow-angle V8 engines bolted together. Each cylinder has four valves for a total of 64, but the configuration of each bank allows two overhead camshafts to drive two banks of cylinders so only four camshafts are needed. BUGATTI VEYRON 2008 WALK AROUND T MODEL FORD EARLY MODEL LINCOLN LINCOLN BUILT IN AUSTRALIA NATIONAL MOTOR MUSEUM HOLDEN CAR ART PREV PAGE NEXT HOMEPAGE

Shell V-Power The Bend Motorsport Park The Shell V-Power Motorsport Park  is  a motor racing circuit at Tailem Bend, South Australia. About one hundred kilometres south-east of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. There is also a drag racing strip, and drift racing circuit. The Shell V Power Bend Motorsport Park circuits are licensed by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for car racing and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) for motorcycle racing. The two tracks are 4.95 km in length and 7.77 km. These may be shorted as required by track marshals depending on the event being held. The park has under cover spectator areas and a rooftop viewing area. Access is a short drive off of the highway five minutes drive out of Tailem Bend heading towards Victoria. Driving from Adelaide turn left off of the highway into the park and the welcome centre soon appears. Plenty of outside overnight parking is available. Welcome Centre The Welcome Centre is quite spacious with comfortable seating in the foyer quite near to display vehicles. Rydges motel reception is here also. Driving experiences may be booked from reception. The motorsport park has onsite, in addition to the car museum, a Ford Mustang GT V8 that may be driven around a short section of the track on most days. Slightly modified for track work. Enquire at reception for fees and times. Motor racing events are held on a regular basis. Also drag racing events and other motorsport and driving experiences. Traveldriven ENTER/TAP The Bend Motorsport Park Hotel NEW SIGNAGE ON ENTRY TO THE BEND THE OLD SIGNAGE FOYER ENTRY TO THE BEND COMPLEX ENTRY TO THE BEND MOTORSPORT PARK THE BEND AUTO GALLERY CAR DISPLAY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE THE BEND MOTORSPORT DISPLAY THE BEND MOTORSPORT PARK DISPLAY SPEED OFF THE STREET DRIVER EXPERIENCE MUSTANG GT VIEW FROM KING STUDIO ROOM APEX BAR AND RESTAURANT THE BEND LAGER IS NO LONGER ON TAP APEX RESTAURANT BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER KING STUDIO ROOM FACING TRACK RYDGES TRACK FACING ROOM PREV SOUTH AUSTRALIA NEXT HOMEPAGE

MV OCEANIC ANCHORED IN THE KIMBERLEY DRIVE BROOME - CAPE LEVEQUE CRUISE KIMBERLEY ISLANDS The MV Oceanic is a powered mono hull, 24 metres long, rigged sailing yacht. Under power can travel at 6 knots. Storage for 8000 litres of fresh water and 12,000 litres of fuel with three tenders for exploring. Built 1992 in Fremantle. Accommodation is basic and clean. Caught fish can be cooked. It has to be said, most if not all Kimberley Islands luxury ship tours are priced from upwards of $20,000 per person of 7 days or more. Ahoy Buccaneers of Broome provided a safe affordable adventure holiday in a spectacular and inaccessible region of Australia. Well done. Adventure Cruise Kimberley Islands for 6 nights/7 days. $2000. Maximum guests on board 25. Two toilets/showers. Five crew plus the ship captain. All Australian. The captain a native Western Australian. All Australian guests on board. Age ranges from young adult to active retirees. Diverse background from all around Australia. All crew and passengers cooperated well together and enjoyed all excursions, meals and life experience aboard a ship more like a working ship than a cruise liner. Accommodation was in the few cabins available or sleeping under the stars using supplied swags on deck. There was one planned overnight sleep on an island beach. Cruise accommodation for myself booked as a solo trip & choice given to find deck space for my swag. Fore or Aft, under cover or open deck. I chose the Fore open deck. To gain MC Oceanic access, guests were driven from Broome via a four-wheel drive vehicle for greater than an hour along the then unsealed heavily corrugated Cape Leveque Road to an anchorage off private property. Boarding of ship was done by wading knee deep to tender craft and transferred to the MV Oceanic anchored several hundred metres away. Pre-ordered bottled water, beer, spirits and wine were delivered to guests on the beach who carried the beverages in tender craft to be stowed in allocated timber lockers on ship. My own locker used as a handy seat collapsed underneath me whilst at sea on the first full day. Throwing myself onto the ship railing preventing a 'man overboard' rescue. In conversation with the captain discussing guest sleeping quarters the Skipper suggested to myself placement of swag on forward bulkhead of wheelhouse is an ok location. Position and comfort surprisingly good. MV Oceanic is currently out of service. There are planned (2026) ship cruises of the Kimberley Islands by numerous tour operators. These follow the same routes and visit the same sites or similar as shown in the following pages. Browse to see locations. All Kimberley Islands ship tours are usually in the dry season May to October. For safety reasons, to avoid cyclone (hurricane) risk and for comfort to avoid oppressive wet season heat. Most, if not all cater to the higher end of the market. Prices start from about 11,000 Australian dollars for ten nights or more per person. Traveldriven Cruise was to the Buccaneer Archipelago. These islands are part of the greater coast of the Kimberley. The Archipelago is made up of approximately eight hundred islands. Places of interest visited. CROCODILE CREEK in Yampi Sound. The top pool is safe from crocodiles. RUBY FALLS Fresh water swimming holes and waterfalls. MONTGOMERY REEF Tidal differences of over 10 metres. Five metres of reef emerges from the ocean at outgoing tide. The reef is 80 km long. STONE WARRIORS Excursions to the Stone Warriors on an uninhabited island. Langgi Inlet. HORIZONTAL FALLS In Talbot Bay. Jetboating. Helicopter rides. Seaplane flights. RAFT POINT Rock art site. To get to the art site there is a one hundred and fifty metre climb up a steep hill overlooking Steep Island. IF YOU LIVED IN THE KIMBERLEY lol PREV WESTERN AUSTRALIA NEXT PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT HOME PAGE POST

ROAD TRIP TOWNSVILLE AUSTRALIA DAY ONE Solo road trip to Queensland via New South Wales from Victoria. Driving a Mustang GT 2017 6 speed manual. Glenrowan Take a rest break and refill your car in Glenrowan. This is a popular rest spot for those travelling on the Hume Freeway 235 km from Melbourne. In the township of Glenrowan, off the highway, tourists can rest and look at the famous Ned Kelly siege sites. Eat a tasty Glenrowan Bakery pie. Read Glenrowan blog post Drive Glenrowan Victoria to Albury NSW 90 km. Overnight stay in Albury. Albury to Gundagai NSW 180 km. Stop by The Dog on the Tuckerbox . Approximately eight kilometres from Gundagai. An Australian historical monument and tourist attraction. Located on the Hume Freeway. There are truck/car food and fuel service centres. Also, home to the Big Koala statue. Not to be confused with the Big Koala on the Western Highway in Victoria. THE DOG ON THE TUCKER BOX GOOGLE MAPS Drive 250 km to Parkes home of 'The Dish' Parkes Observatory. There is a visitors' centre and gift shop. Parkes hosts the annual Elvis Festival in January. Elvis is in the building. Look-a-likes all around town. Rockin' n' rollin. PARKES OBSERVATORY GOOGLE MAPS Drive 155 km from Parkes to Bathurst . Home of the famous Mount Panorama motor racing circuit. Drive over the following days to GOONDIWINDI a rural town in Queensland, Australia. On the border of Queensland and New South Wales. 360 km west of Brisbane. Goondiwindi Road Trip Australia The town has a population of over six thousand people. Home of the famous racehorse "The Goondiwindi Grey" Gunsynd. The horse won the 1971 Epsom Handicap and the 1972 Cox Plate. Placed third in the 1972 Melbourne Cup. GOONDIWINDI GOOGLE MAPS Goondiwindi to Rockhampton . 800 km. Very small towns are along the Leichhardt Highway. Mostly trucks. Very few service stations sell 98 octane petrol. Visit Mount Archer. Six hundred metres above sea level. Eight km from Rockhampton and offers excellent views. It has a short walkway leading to Nurim Circuit elevated board walk viewing platform. Views are of Rockhampton and Fitzroy River. Rockhampton Road Trip Australia Rockhampton is an inland city. Often indigenous teenagers jump off the Fitzroy Bridge into the river to cool off. Although few in number, saltwater crocodiles do inhabit the Fitzroy River. The Koorana Crocodile Farm is interesting. Located in Rockhampton. I held a baby crocodile and tasted a crocodile steak. Better to eat a croc than the other way around. The city seems to get higher day temperature's than surrounding area's likely because it's inland from the coast. Koorana Crocodile Far m Website The tropical coastal town of Yeppoon Qld is 25 minutes drive further on from Rockhampton. Traveldriven CURRENT PARKES FIVE DAY FORECAST ROCKHAMPTON GOOGLE MAPS MOUNT ARCHER NURIM CIRCUIT ELEVATED BOARDWALK CURRENT ROCKHAMPTON FIVE DAY FORECAST ROAD TRIP AUSTRALIA NED KELLY GLENROWAN BIG EARS PARKES NSW GOODIWINDI ON THE BORDER WITH NSW "The Goondiwindi Grey" Gunsynd. ROCKHAMPTON CROCODILE FARM SMALLER CROC MOUNT ARCHER & FITZROY RIVER ROCKHAMPTON YEPPOON WATER PARK QLD PREV ROADTRIP TOWNSVILLE NEXT PREV QUEENSLAND NEXT HOMEPAGE POST

PARACHILNA Driving past the small settlement of Leigh Creek, a former coal mining town, one approaches Parachilna. Parachilna is sixty-five km south of Leigh Creek and is within a few hundred metres of the roadside turnoff from the sealed, 'The Outback Highway'. Parachilna consists just basically of the well-known Prairie Hotel. Celebrities have been known to frequent the hotel due to feature films made in the general area. Well-heeled patrons come from the cities to experience the outback atmosphere. Fine accommodation and dining is available, and there is an onsite microbrewery with beer on tap. HAWKER Hawker has a population of a few hundred. A very small town in the northern Flinders Ranges between Parachilna and Quorn along 'The Outback Highway' ninety km south from Parachilna. KANYAKA RUINS The ruins located approximately 30 km south of Hawker are a fascinating historical site that offers visitors a glimpse into the past. Accessible by both 4wd and 2wd vehicles, a short turn off The Outback Highway leads to these extensive ruins, making it a convenient stop for travellers exploring the area. The backdrop of brown hills surrounding the site not only enhances its visual appeal but also adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue that shrouds the ancient structures. As you wander through the ruins, you can't help but imagine what life was like for the people who once inhabited this place. This popular wayside stop serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage that exists in the Australian Outback, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the stories of the past and appreciate the enduring legacy of this unique region. QUORN IN THE FLINDERS RANGES Quorn is a Flinders Ranges town. On the edge of the Outback. The first reasonable-sized town south of Birdsville, which is in Queensland 850 km north of Quorn. Quorn has all expected services found in regional towns. The Pichi Richi steam engine and several passenger carriages often leave the Quorn Train Station for an experience of a bygone era. The steam train departs Quorn Train Station on most days for Port Augusta and this is about a 32 km return trip. The train meets and joins the Afghan Express from Woolshed Flat. Quorn is 335 km distant from Adelaide. Laura and C J Dennis C J Dennis the poet spent his formative years in Laura. Born in the year of 1878 in the small town of Auburn, South Australia. He passed away in 1938 and is buried in Melbourne. In the small South Australian town of Laura's main street stands a monument dedicated to the renowned Australian poet. A literary figure whose influence on Australian culture transcends generations. C J Dennis played a pivotal role in shaping the Australian vernacular by popularising the unique slang that has become synonymous with the country's identity. His works not only captured the essence of the Australian larrikin spirit but also celebrated the resilience and humour of the everyday person. Fondly referred to as 'the laureate of the larrikin.' C J Dennis's poetry resonated with audiences far and wide, earning him a lasting place in the hearts of Australians. The monument in Laura serves as a tribute to his enduring legacy, reminding visitors of the profound impact he had on the literary landscape of Australia and the preservation of its rich cultural heritage. Laura to Adelaide is about 230 km via Clare in the Barossa Valley wine region. DESERT SKY TOURS This Desert Sky Tour finished in Adelaide, ending nine days and approximately 3,500 km of driving a 2016 Toyota Land Cruiser through the Outback. There were no incidents or problems. Howard, the tour operator and driver, was a very informative and friendly guide. All agreed that the tour was one of those once-in-a-lifetime road trips. BIRDSVILLE TOURS & THE OUTBACK Of course, Desert Sky Tours are not the only Outback small group tour operators. Other operators may be found with small group tours departing from Adelaide or Brisbane. Many use 4WDs or a high clearance bus. A few operate out of Victoria and New South Wales as well. All reputable tour operators should be found with an affiliation with an established tourist body. There is no need to own a 4WD vehicle, have driving experience, or Outback knowledge to undertake such a road trip. Meals, fuel, accommodation with a proper bed, and a toilet and shower are all included in the reasonable tour price. The providers do this for the traveller. This is great peace of mind in remote areas. Those with mobility issues, travelling alone or as a couple, would find this mode of travel ideal. Towing a large cumbersome van, camping in small tents or swags and a bush toilet doesn't have to be how an Outback road trip is done. Visitors to Australia could easily do such a holiday. Two weeks is plenty of time to allow for flights, etc. Certainly for a nine day Outback adventure. As an Australian, Traveldriven enjoyed the history and the quirky character of the Outback, as did others. People such as Jan, being a solo traveller of the world and of Australia. Thanks to Howard of Desert Sky Tours of Adelaide for his enthusiasm for the Outback, allowing a very few, the opportunity to experience the real Outback. An opportunity made available in safety and comfort. Such a road trip is possible to those many Australians who never venture too far away from the coastal cities. Traveldriven DRIVE MARREE, PARACHILNA HAWKER, QUORN, LAURA PARACHILNA DISUSED TRAIN STATION OPPOSITE PRAIRIE HOTEL PRAIRIE HOTEL PRAIRIE HOTEL EXTERIOR PRAIRIE HOTEL BREWERY NORTHERN, FLINDERS RANGES HAWKER TOWNSHIP SIGNAGE KANYAKA RUINS KANYAKA TOWNSHIP RUINS QUORN TRAIN STATION QUORN STEAM TRAIN LEAVING QUORN STATION QUORN STEAM TRAIN QUORN SHOPFRONT SIGNAGE STATUE OF C.J. DENNIS A LONGTIME RESIDENT OF THE SMALL TOWN OF LAURA PREV PAGE NEXT

Mungerannie Hotel After an overnight stop at the Mungerannie Hotel on the Birdsville Track, and more than halfway down the track, our vehicle came across a few people pedaling mountain pushbikes towards Birdsville. A few at first, then more strung out further back and followed by a backup 4WD vehicle and an empty mini-bus. The backup vehicle driver pulled over and recognised our driver, Howard, from other Outback tours driven over the years. He said a group of twenty-four pushbike riders were riding Gulf to Gulf. They called the bike ride Bike and Wheels , a take on Burke and Wills' Gulf expedition. All riders in their sixties. The ride greater than 2,200 km in length. The full ride to take not less than a month. The next overnight stop for them was some kilometres further up the track beside a creek bed. Hopefully reaching Mungerannie late the next day. We wished them good luck and continued south. Mungerannie Hotel is the only rest stop on the Birdsville Track offering accommodation, food, and cold drinks. Mungerannie Station and Homestead is behind the hotel and further back. Sammy, the friendly dog, often greets weary travellers off the Birdsville Track. Loving a game of fetch with a stick, Sammy retrieves thrown sticks non-stop and enjoys a friendly pat inside the Mungerannie hotel bar area. The Mungerannie Hotel Publican A previous long-gone publican and owner of the hotel, residing in the remote location of Mungerannie on the Birdsville Track, grappled with the challenges of solitude and isolation. The emptiness of the surroundings often weighed heavily on his spirit, prompting occasional bouts of eccentric behavior. In moments of extreme quietness, when the absence of visitors stretched for days on end, the publican's frustration would manifest in peculiar ways. It was not uncommon for him to resort to using his gun as a means of combating the monotony, firing shots that echoed through the desolate hotel. The sound of bullets piercing through the silence, creating holes in the ceiling and walls, served as a stark reminder of the publican's struggle to cope with the profound sense of isolation. Perhaps fueled by a mixture of loneliness and the numbing effect of alcohol, these actions provided a temporary release from the oppressive stillness that enveloped the establishment. Gunshots reverberated throughout the hotel, a testament to the lengths one would go to in order to stave off the encroaching solitude of the outback. Mungerannie Hotel Accommodation Accommodation units are on the left and down the side of the hotel. A wooden floorboard walkway guides visitors to their units. Some units are double berth; others are two singles. Fairly small and no room to swing a cat, so to speak. No chair, no table, no TV, no fridge. A window and an AC unit. Communal showers and toilets are across the dusty yard. All clean and tidy. Available are good hot cooked meals in the hotel. Staff are friendly and talkative, and of course there is, Sammy the friendly dog. He loves a non-stop game of fetch the stick. Traveldriven MUNGERANNIE HOTEL IT'S A BLOODY LONG WAY THERE'S A TRACK WINDING BACK TO THE MUNGERANNIE HOTEL MUNGERANNIE HOTEL ENTRANCE MUNGERANNIE HOTEL ON THE BIRDSVILLE TRACK A COLD DRINK OFF THE BIRDSVILLE TRACK Sammy the friendly dog Mungerannie Hotel PREVIOUS PUBLICAN SHOOTING HOLES IN WALLS OUTBACK BIKERS ROYAL ENFIELD 91 UNLEADED AVAILABLE 299 CENTS PER LITRE A BED AND A WINDOW HOWARD'S BACKUP VEHICLE? DESERT SKY TOURS BIRDSVILLE TRACK ON THE MUNGERANNIE HOTEL TURNOFF BIRDSVILLE TRACK HEADING SOUTH BOAT & BIKES ON THE BIRDSVILLE TRACK BIRDSVILLE TRACK BIKE & WHEELS EXPEDITION PREV PAGE NEXT

DAY FIVE Finally, are tour group of three persons arrived in Birdsville for a two-night stay at the rear units of the famous Birdsville Hotel. The anticipation of experiencing the outback charm and hospitality was palpable as we checked into our accommodation units. The Birdsville Hotel truly exceeded all expectations with its excellent facilities. The modernity and cleanliness of the rooms were immediately noticeable, creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for our stay. From the well-appointed amenities to the attention to detail in the decor, every aspect of the accommodation exuded a sense of quality and care. The Birdsville Hotel's commitment to providing a great experience was evident in our stay, making it a memorable and enjoyable visit. Birdsville Facts: Population 110 approx Height above sea level approx 50 metres Annual rainfall 200 - 400 millimetres (8-16 inches annual rainfall) Water supply mainly Artesian Bore Birdsville is on the Diamantina River Famous Birdsville Races are held every September attracting upwards of 7,000 attendees from all over Australia for the two day event. Birdsville Hotel The hotel is probably the most famous hotel in all of Australia, certainly in Outback Australia. Built in 1884 from sandstone obtained from a quarry 16 km east of the town, this was the third and final hotel built in Birdsville and the only remaining hotel open for business today. A cyclone levelled outbuildings in 1905. A fire in 1964 destroyed part of the hotel. Another fire blazed through the interior of the hotel in 1979, and the main bar had to be rebuilt. In 1986, a lounge bar was added and became known as the "Green Lizard" bar. This was due to the formation of a league of members who assembled there during an acute beer shortage in 1968 when the only drink available in town was crème de menthe. Today, the hotel boasts 18 modern motel units, a modern guest laundry, and a pleasant beer garden. Hotel Patrons and Modern Day Excursions A few patrons were overheard discussing driving the French Line in the Simpson Desert. This route is renowned for its rugged terrain, vast sand dunes, and remote location, making it a true test of skill and preparedness for any adventurous traveller. Only those who are well-prepared, both in terms of equipment and experience, should dare to tackle the French Line. The journey demands a high level of off-road driving expertise, as well as a thorough understanding of desert survival skills and the ability to navigate through the harsh and unforgiving landscape. A Quiet Drink on the Veranda Be mindful of enjoying a quiet beer outside of the hotel on the provided wooden pew bench seating. As the mid-afternoon temperature rises, it soon becomes apparent flies are attracted to a glass of cold beer in hand. Several swimmers within a few minutes make a return to the inside of the hotel the sensible thing to do. Traveldriven ON THE ROAD TO BIRDSVILLE QUEENSLAND THE OLD DISUSED ROAD INTO BIRDSVILLE DIAMANTINA RIVER OLD DIAMANTINA RIVER CROSSING BIRDSVILLE ARTESIAN BORE FAMOUS BIRDSVILLE RACE MEETING ONE HORSE RACE (MAN) BIRDSVILLE HOTEL EXTERIOR FAMOUS GREEN LIZARD BAR, BIRDSVILLE BIRDSVILLE HOTEL INTERIOR BIRDSVILLE HOTEL BAR STAFF & OPEN FIRE PLACE IN USE TAKING IT EASY OUTSIDE THE FAMOUS BIRDSVILLE HOTEL BIRDSVILLE HOTEL, NO FLIES RESERVED FOR DINNER BIRDSVILLE HOTEL NOTE MISSPELLING, "DES S ERT SKY" TOURS PREV PAGE NEXT

"Betoota Hotel, a quick lunch stop for sausages in bread washed down with a XXXX bitter and then drive on to Birdsville." Desert Sky Tours Betoota The place used to be known as Australia's smallest town. As the hotel is the sole building in the area. For many years, the hamlet amid the harsh gibber plains of southwest Queensland, 166km east of Birdsville, consisted of just one pub and one resident. Belonging to a mysterious and eccentric publican named Simon "Ziggy" Remienko. He lived to be 88 years old and is buried in an unmarked grave behind the pub. It was said that the prices of his beer or petrol would rise or fall depending on his mood or whether he liked a customer. One hapless drinker was charged $80 for a carton of beer. When the customer returned for another carton the next day, it cost just $20. Asked why the price had dropped so dramatically, Remienko replied, "Because you came back." Betoota Hotel To this day the hotel remains the only building in Betoota. The Betoota Hotel stands as a timeless monument in the vast Australian outback, its weathered facade telling tales of over a century of history. At 114 years old, it holds the title of being the sole building in the remote outpost of Betoota, a place where time seems to have stood still. Situated along the desolate 390km stretch of road that connects Windorah to Birdsville, this iconic establishment serves as a beacon of civilization in an otherwise barren landscape. As travellers journey through the rugged terrain of the outback, the sight of the Betoota Hotel offers a sense of comfort and respite. Its walls have witnessed generations of nomads, explorers, and locals passing through, each leaving behind a fragment of their story within its walls. The creaking floorboards and dimly lit interior poolroom evoke a sense of nostalgia, harking back to a bygone era when the hotel was a bustling hub of activity and camaraderie. Despite its age, the Betoota Hotel continues to stand proudly, a testament to the resilience and spirit of the outback community. Its presence is a reminder of the enduring human connection that transcends time and distance, welcoming weary travellers with open arms and cheaply priced cold beer. In the vast expanse of the Australian wilderness, the Betoota Hotel remains a timeless landmark, a symbol of endurance and hospitality amidst the harsh beauty of the outback. A fun pronunciation of Betoota is Be-Two-ta. The words meant to be said are in brackets: be (order) too (two beers), ta (thank you). Traveldriven DRIVE INNAMINCKA - BETOOTA - BIRDSVILLE FORD FAIRLANE 500 ON THE ROAD TO BETOOTA DIAMOND & DUST BETOOTA STUDEBAKER TRUCK BETOOTA FORD MOTOR VEHICLE XXXX BITTER AVAILABLE BETOOTA PREV PAGE NEXT

"King has stayed with me till the last. He has left me at my own request, unburied and with my pistol in hand". Last notes written by Burke. Cooper Creek. 26th June 1861 Our road trip takes us west back into South Australia along the " roller coaster " and over sand dunes which are well vegetated with native hop bush, sandhill wattles, grevilleas, and in season Sturt desert peas. These red sandhills rise to about 15m at a spacing of five to the kilometre above the claypans west of Cameron Corner. One large lake holding water from recent rain events was driven around on this fairly well-defined track. The lake we called Lake Harry. Not sure if this is the correct name. Driving from Cameron Corner to Merty Merty via Riecks Road, the distance exceeds 120km towards the large outback Moomba Gas fields and short stretches of sealed roads. Fort Gray is bypassed on an unsealed road. Fort Gray is a research station for national parks? No public access. Giving the appearance of a homestead from the outside. It must be said that the unsealed road from Cameron Corner, referred to as the roller coaster, was the most interesting road section of our 3,500km trek through the Outback. Dig Tree The historic Burke & Wills Dig Tree location is accessed via station property on an easily travelled stony track. No station permission is required to visit the Dig Tree area. Overnight camping is allowed beside Cooper Creek. The actual Dig Tree is thought to have perished over time. Burke & Wills and the Dig Tree In 1860, 15 years after Sturt named the Cooper Creek, an expedition with Robert O'Hara Burke in charge and with William John Wills second in command, departed from Melbourne, costing 9,000 pounds. The goal of the expedition was to explore the inland areas and claim available land north of the southern Australian states as far as the northern coastline. The beginning of the exploring expedition consisted of: 4 officers 10 men (party totalled 19 men by start to finish) 27 camels 23 horses a special cart to float on water several drays and 21 tins of provisions With the benefit of hindsight and given a practical approach, far too much equipment was carried by the expedition. For example: A cedar and oak dinner table and chairs A large, heavy bathtub Eight tonnes of food Six tonnes of firewood 20 tonnes in total to be carried across Outback Australia. Burke & Wills Expedition Burke's party reached Cooper Creek and Burke divided the expedition in two and the four man party travelled the remaining 1,200 km to the Gulf of Carpentaria in 8 weeks. Burke took six camels along with Wills, King and Gray (an ex sailor).They encountered impenetrable mangroves on the Gulf of Carpentaria after almost reaching open coastal water and then turned back. Gray was the first to pass away on the return to Cooper Creek. The remaining three returned to the Cooper Creek Camp number 65 in a very weakened condition, and supplies were critical. Missing others of the original party by nine hours who had been waiting four months for Burke's return to Cooper Creek but had now gone. Campfire ashes still warm. Wills found a Coolabah tree with words cut into it reading; "DIG UNDER 40 ft W, Apr 21 1861." A small cache of food had been buried along with a note. Of the remaining men in Burke's returning party from the Gulf, only John King survived. King was in charge of some of the expedition's camels. King's survival was largely due to Aboriginal people feeding him and looking after him until a later search party found him on 15th September 1861. A total of three rescue parties were dispatched to find Burke & Wills. The expedition, rescue efforts, and associated activities cost 57,000 pounds. The tragic expedition and rescue attempts captured the early emerging fledgling nation. The Dig Tree, as it is known, is about an easy forty-five minute drive from Innamincka. The actual tree is not thought to have survived the ravages of time. Other blazed trees of Burke & Wills have survived. Robert O'Hara Burke Burke's cause of death was malnutrition & he lived to 40 years of age. He was reburied in Melbourne. William John Wills Wills Cause of Death was malnutrition & lived to 27 years of age. He was reburied in Melbourne. Charlie Gray Gray lived to 44 years of age and passed away at a suggested location known as Lake Massacre in Outback South Australia on the route of the expedition. It is not known if this is correct. The explorer Mckinlay in 1861 found a European buried in the surrounds of Lake Massacre. The skull was marked with two slight sabre cuts. The location was near a former native camp and there was evidence a fight had occurred. King survived the expedition and lived to be 33 years of age, but he was never able to recover his physical health. In total, seven out of the 19 men on the expedition died. Nardoo Is a fern that grows in hot and dry inland areas when rain causes temporary filling of water holes and road-side puddles. Often mistaken for clover, its correct name is Marsilea drummondii and is called by its common name of Nardoo. Mixed with copious amounts of water, it forms a thin flour-like paste and was eaten raw or cooked by Aborigines for generations. Burke and Wills, when their food stocks were gone, were fed Nardoo by Aborigines. However, they did not follow the Aborigine advice on how to prepare Nardoo properly to be safely eaten. This lead to developing beri-beri and malnutrition and eventual death. Traveldriven DRIVE INNAMINCKA TO DIG TREE & BIRDSVILLE OUTBACK ROLLER COASTER NORTH OF INNAMINCKA ELECTRIC CATTLE GRID STAY IN VEHICLE FOR SAFETY SHELTER ON ENTRY TO BURKE & WILLS SITE DIG TREE SHELTER AND INFORMATION DIG TREE SIGNAGE ON THE COOPER CREEK BURKE & WILLS COOPER CREEK CAMP BURKE BLAZE FACE ON THE COOPER CREEK COOPER CREEK MORNING TEA AT COOPER CREEK ON THE BANKS OF COOPER CREEK SHADY COOLIBAH TREES COOPER CREEK RESTING PLACE OF O' HARA BURKE COOPER CREEK WILD NARDOO ON THE BANKS OF COOPER CREEK PREV PAGE NEXT

Strzelecki Track Day Four The Strzelecki Track has its origins in the Strzelecki Creek. The track more or less follows the route of the Strzelecki Creek. The first European party to see the creek was led by Charles Sturt on his northern expedition of 1844-45. Sturt named the creek after his colleague Sir Paul Edmond de Strzelecki, a Prussian nobleman who had explored parts of southern Australia. After 1870, when Harry Redford used it as a water source to move a thousand head of stolen cattle down from Queensland to South Australia, the route was realised as a viable way to move livestock by the then pastoralists of the day. Today, the Strzelecki Track supports freight and needed supplies to Innamincka and the Moomba Gas fields. Sections of the road are sealed. Innamincka The township is situated at the junction of the Cooper and Strzelecki Creeks. Innamincka was the last place cattle could be watered before travel down the Strzelecki Track. The Innamincka Hotel and a police station was established in the 1880s. The police station closed in 1952. The Hotel along with a store operate to the present day. Moomba Gas Fields SANTOS (South Australia Northern Territory Oil Search) was founded in 1954 and operates the extensive natural gas fields in the Cooper Basin region to the present time. In 1963, Santos discovered natural gas in the Cooper Basin region. Further discoveries of oil were made in central Australia in the 1970s. A liquids recovery plant was built at Moomba. Moomba was purpose built along with a small village for SANTOS workers in Outback South Australia. Access to the associated Moomba village is restricted to employees and their families. Traveldriven TIBOOBURRA - CAMERON CORNER - INNAMINACKA AUDIO RECORDING HOWARD OF DESERT SKY TOURS OUTBACK ODDITY MOOMBA GAS FIELDS STRZELECKI TRACK INNAMINCKA TOWN ENTRY SIGNAGE BUY WATER AT THE DRINKING WATER STATION OUTBACK ROAD TRAIN OUTBACK ROAD SIGNAGE COOPER CREEK, INNAMINCKA CROSSING COOPER CREEK INNAMINCKA TRADING POST GENERAL STORE INNAMINCKA HOTEL EXTERIOR INNAMINCKA HOTEL INTERIOR OUTBACK BREAKFEAST PREV PAGE NEXT

DAY 16 beware of the fierce Stone Warriors -fellow shipmate Many Kimberley Islands have waterfalls. Our tendercraft were piloted up a rock weathered murky green coloured creek followed by a short hike to Ruby Falls . A water dip is said to be safe in the higher shallow rock pools. Crocodiles are rarely seen on many of the islands preferring mangroves. The higher rock pools are considered safe swimming in the latter half of the dry season. It's best to avoid larger low pools and their darker water such as the base of Ruby Falls. Stone Warriors, Cruise Kimberley Islands An excursion highlight was to the Stone Warriors on an uninhabited island. Named Langgi Inlet. Remote and rarely visited. Hundreds of weathered rock outcrops appearing to the imagination as human faces and shapes. Even as animals. The Stone Warriors are best seen on the low tide. Ancient Stone Warriors overlooking this remote island shoreline in the Kimberley heat and sea breeze. White beach sand disturbed only by our footprints in this pristine environment. The Stone Warriors weren't a safety concern. Unless you fall off of one to get a better view. Perhaps with hindsight not the best idea for a better view. No medical aid is available in these remote islands. A lengthy drawn-out helicopter evacuation the only option for serious accidents. We were cruising Kimberley Islands both large and small. Exploring by small tender. Tender craft navigated past swirling whirlpools created by the tides. Often multiple whirlpools in more open bodies of water are seen in between small island groups and their creeks. Dangerous waters ready to claim the unwary. Fishing by hand reel was largely unsuccessful. Skipper Steve occasionally anchored ship above coral reefs so as to catch tropical fish. Use of depth and fish finder equipment to a large extent was unfruitful. Perhaps the bait, lures, or time of day were not suitable as few fish were caught. Any caught fish was cooked by Sue the ship's cook. Assisted by Brian. Traveldriven MV Oceanic Ruby Falls Don't go in the water Saltwater crocodile danger UP ANOTHER CREEK VISTING CATAMARAN CREW MEMBER ON TOP RIGHT ASSISTING A SHIPMATE RUBY FALLS SCENIC AREA SALTWATER CROC HABITAT UNSAFE WALKING THE TOP OF RUBY FALLS SMALL COOL ROCK POOLS TOP OF RUBY FALLS TENDERCRAFT IN CREEK HIKE TO AND FROM RUBY FALLS MARKERS & ODDMENTS RUBY FALLS TRAIL KIMBERLEY ISLANDS STONE WARRIORS FACE OF THE STONE WARRIORS STONE FACE CREW MEMBER GAINING A BETTER VIEW MV OCEANIC VIEW UNDER THE GAZE OF THE STONE WARRIORS BACK TO THE SHIP BY TENDER RETURN TO THE BOAT FOR DINNER EARLY SUNRISE, SWAGS & FISHING BY HAND REEL PREV KIMBERLEY ISLANDS NEXT