Dan on a Coolibah tree Cam on a Coolibah tree

Getting petrol at the Innamincka Trading Post

The Innamincka Hotel

The Dig Tree The Dig Tree

View across the Cooper River

Friday 15th May
We are now in Innamincka camping along the Cooper River by a coolibah tree, the galahs riotous in the trees above – how Australian is that?

We traveled here via the Old Strzelecki Track. It started off pretty good with the boys enjoying the “woopty doo’s” our talk for the continuous undulations that feel like you’re riding a roller coaster. After about a half hour of this, Dan decided he was going to throw up. A very quick pull over and a lot of fresh air stopped this from happening, and Dan rode the rest of the way with the window open. We soon worked out that the red flags on top of the woopty’s meant there was a washout over the rise. The track was in pretty good condition until about 50 km’s outside of Innamincka. Then we were on some of the most juddering corrugations we have ever been on. I almost needed to stop and put on the sports bra!

We noticed at Cameron Corner that our Micky Thompson MTZ’s tread was being sliced off on the outside. Thought to ourselves “Now, that’s not supposed to happen.” After doing the Old Strzlecki, we worked this out: on the few occasions that we hit a dip or washout too quickly, the front bullbar was slicing the lugs off. While this is annoying in itself, at least we know it’s not the fault of the tyre.

We went to the site of the Dig Tree and of Burke’s grave. I’ve often marveled at the amount of history that people get to see when they’ve returned from Europe, but today have been humbled by my own country’s history. Between Milparinka and Innamincka the history of our first explorers is amazing and their achievements even more so. I feel like ripping open my old school books and re-learning all over again. Cam doesn’t quite understand the importance yet, but I feel in a couple of years time when he is back in the schoolroom learning about this stuff it will finally click and he’ll be able to say “I’ve been there” or “I’ve seen that”! Yes, he’ll probably be that child!

Steve and I are sitting down for a coldie at camp (even though we’ve just had a couple at the Innamincka Pub), and the boys are down fossicking by the river. They’re searching for firewood for tonight.

While the camping is good, we are missing the warmth and friendliness of Milparinka and Cameron Corner.

The campfire is being lit now, and my glass needs refilling. Tomorrow, we’re off to camp at the Coongee Lakes for a couple of nights. We are traveling with another couple from QLD – Allan and Roslyn that we met in Cameron Corner. It will be nice again to have new company. We hear it’s fabulous!!! Can’t wait to report for myself.