Cameron Corner Country Innamincka Dig Tree Coongie Lakes 4WD Tour – NSW / QLD / SA Corner – 5 Day Corner Country from Broken Hill return to Broken Hill via Tibooburra, Milparinka, Moomba, Innaminka, Coongie Lakes Dig Tree, Cameron Corner – Explore in the footsteps of Burke & Wills (visit the Dig Tree) this remote and fascinating area around the junction of the NSW, QLD & SA borders. 5 days from Broken Hill (or Sydney Adelaide or Melbourne by rail, fly or coach options available) –
Details below …
Explore in the footsteps of Burke & Wills (visit the famous Dig Tree & historic reserve) this remote and fascinating area around the junction of the NSW, QLD & SA borders, known as Cameron Corner. Travel through giant sheep stations from over 100 years ago, witness the Moomba oil fields & mighty Cooper Creek at Innamincka. Travelling in our luxury 4WD Landcruisers, you can stand at the famous Cameron Corner, and stay overnight at the “corner store”. Discover ancient Aboriginal rock art sites and hear the tales of the great Cattle drives as we travel the Strzelecki Track – pioneered by Captain Starlight as he stole 1000 cattle from Queensland QLD in 1870. Later, Sidney Kidman & Co and many others made their fortunes on the track pioneered by Starlight.
Cameron Corner Country Innamincka Dig Tree Coongie Lakes 4WD Tour Details …
Day 1 – Depart Broken Hill (or Adelaide day prior) through the Barrier Ranges on the Silver City Highway via Packsaddle for Milparinka and the Albert Hotel. Appreciate this once thriving gold mining town at the restored Milparinka Heritage Precinct. We check out the Tibooburra pub and considerable town before heading into the Sturt Desert & crossing the Grey Range with a stop at Fort Grey. The park protects an enormous arid landscape of space and solitude. The rolling red-sand dunes of the Strzelecki desert ripple through the western section, graduating past surprising wetlands surrounded by white sands. After some great opportunities for photos, and to explore we arrive at Cameron Corner on the 3 states corner (NSW, SA & QLD) for a tasty meal and overnight at the “Corner Store”.
Day 2 – Travel via Bollards Lagoon, the Yellow Bus site (now buried) and Merty Merty station, crossing the sand hills of the Strzelecki Desert, and Creek as we head for the Strzelecki Track and the uncanny Moomba oil & gas fields. We pass the site of the geothermal power plant / hot rocks project of Geodynamics where Australia has the hottest rocks on Earth, outside of volcanic areas. Arriving in Innaminka, check out the birdlife at sunset on the Cooper Creek before a delicious meal at the Innamincka Hotel Overnight Innaminka.
Hot Rocks – Geologists think that 10 million years ago, the granites in the Cooper Basin, South Australia, were exposed at the surface. Since that time they have been covered by a sedimentary layer, four kilometres thick, that acts as an overlying blanket; trapping the heat and preventing it from escaping to the atmosphere.
The heat is created by naturally occurring radiogenic decay that heats the granite to more than 250 degrees Celsius. The granite temperatures in Europe are only 180 degrees Celsius. The granite belt in the Cooper Basin is fractured in horizontal layers and these fractures naturally contain water at very high pressures – up to 5, 000 pounds per square inch.
Day 3 – In 1928 the Australian Inland Mission (a part of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia) built a hospital at Innaminka, the Elizabeth Symon Nursing Home. Known as the Mission hospital, it was restored with funding from by Dick Smith and Australian Geographic, and now serves as a museum and National Parks office. A fascinating historical record here.
Today we explore more of the Cooper Creek region and Coongie Lakes, (conditional on road being open) a unique wetlands area in the desert sandhills approximately 100 km from Innaminka, attracting birdlife from afar. A rare chance to visit this remote and surrounding area
Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park is one of the most spectacular of South Australia’s natural attractions. The park is a pristine water world made up of channels, waterholes, lakes, internal deltas, shallow floodplains and interdune corridors and swamps. Motorboats, camp fires, fishing and generators are not permitted in the park, ensuring a genuine wilderness experience.
Coongie Lakes is listed as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. The waterbird diversity is high for an arid wetland and is a significant feeding, resting and breeding site for an enormous number of birds that migrate to the area. The wetland plays host to a diversity of wildlife including fish, reptiles and frogs. It transforms into a breeding ground for an enormous number of migratory birds from around the world. The contrast from sand dunes to vast wetlands is remarkable. The park is a true wilderness for visitors seeking a place of solitude to enjoy nature. Take advantage of the wilderness – camp, canoe, enjoy photography, bushwalk, discover the Aboriginal history and generally relax in the calm surrounds of the wetlands. Overnight Innamincka.
Day 4 – For the early birds take a stroll to the nearby Coopers Creek look at creek side birdlife usually brimming with life. – and quirky Innamincka – before we head for the SA/ QLD border and Nappa Merrie Station (previously owned by S Kidman & Co) to the Burke & Wills Dig Tree. Here, Burke & Wills, their support team waited 3 months and provisions were buried for the northern explorers. The support left 1 day before Burke & Wills return, and the supplies were not found leading to their demise. Lots of history, and birdlife here on the infamous Cooper Creek. Heading south we travel through picturesque desert then into sand hill country via Orientos, Santos and Sullivans Tank before crossing the border into NSW at the Warri Gate on the Dingo fence, and once again into the Sturt Desert. Taking in vast stony plains, the towering red-sand hills of the great Strzelecki Desert and the unusual flat-topped mesas around the Olive Downs, this park covers 340,000 hectares of classic outback terrain. Thanks to the protection of the dingo-proof fence, there are large populations of western grey and red kangaroos. We arrive Tibooburra for dinner & overnight at the local hotel in this most remote NSW desert town.
Day 5 – Time to explore Tibooburra, and the Outdoor Pastoral Museum. Flat-topped mesas and fantastic views characterise the central Jump-Up country. Remnant gidgee woodland, the catchment system of the ephemeral Twelve-Mile Creek and gibber and grass-covered plains dominate the east, while 450 million year old granite tors surrounding Tibooburra form part of the southern boundary of the park. We leave town and head for Pooles Grave & Depot Glen where in 1845 Charles Sturt’s men were stranded and lay camp. Travelling south via salt lakes and vast plains we arrive Broken Hill late afternoon with many a tale to share. BLD
Inclusions –
- 5 days with 4 nights Hotel Motel Accommodation – twin share or single supplement available
- Genuine small group tour vehicle – 4WD Landcruisers with a maximum of 4 people per car.
- Professional Driver Guide
- All meals
- Wild wildlife!!
- National Parks entry fees.
- Tour price supports Outback Kids &Nature Care projects.
- Book or Call Now 1300 763 188
Book here https://spiritsafaris.rezdy.com/catalog/319986/corner-channel-country