Innamincka

Sunday 16 August 2015

A beautiful sunrise this morning. So nice to wake up to good weather. Saw two big eagles on the side of the road such powerful and majestic birds. The road this morning took us through the gas and oil fields around Moomba. Such a barren part of the world but so many oil wells dotted around. The area we went through (Limestone Creek) has wells as deep as 2,000 metres. Wells elsewhere may be as deep as 6,000 metres. The oil is either trucked or piped to a satellite station where the water is removed and then it is mostly piped to Moomba.

           

We turned off the Strzelecki Track towards Merty Merty Station and proceeded on the Old Strzelecki Track. Morning tea stop was at the old skeleton which is made out of animal bones and hangs at the side of the road. A pretty rough road in places with plenty of corrugation and lots of dust to get in the back of the truck. While we were stopped eating lunch several over width trucks passed loaded up with  a  drilling rig.

 

In the afternoon we drove through the catchment area of the Cooper Creek basin. A vast plain with not much vegetation. Our vehicles filled the car park at Innamincka and we hit the one and only shop. We picked up a few supplies to tide us over until we reached the next stop. Some even enjoyed a beverage or two at the Pub.

 

Our camping area had been reserved for us on the common. A large area with a few big trees and a drop toilet. We chose a spot by the edge of the creek and were pleasantly surprised by the number of birds and the pair of pelicans on the water. Out came the fishing lines by those keen enough to fish. Sam çaught the first ( a yellow belly) and the race was on. Doc and Baldy each çaught a yellow belly, but the big one that Doc caught got away. Sam çaught a further 5 fish but some may have been thrown back to live another day as they were too small.

 

We had two nights at Innamincka so it was time to do the chores, truck maintenance and socialise. Weather is perfect and jumpers are off. The Innamincka Hotel serves meals so some convoy members took the opportunity to dine in style.