Back to Birdsville

Day 31 - Saturday 6th October - Longreach to Birdsville - by "Trudy"

We packed up and left the Longreach caravan park in good time and drove south towards Birdsville. The single lane developmental road had us continually pulling over or stopping, not only to move aside for road trains and other oncoming traffic but also to cattle (which take along time to decide to get off the road) and even a family of emu's which were so cute slowly wandering single file across the road! We took a visit to the little town of Stonehenge and then to Jundah. We happened to arrive for the Jundah horse race day and their Outback Oktoberfest! It was tempting to stay there for the afternoon but we had a big day to get to Birdsville so we continued driving. The next stop was Windorah where we had a look at the Cooper Creek, saw the towns solar farm, and had lunch at the pub. The last 280km for the day was on the rough, rocky road to Birdsville where we got another 2 tyre punctures. Once was a slash and the other was a puncture which Chris was able to fix with his tyre repair kit. Even by late afternoon it was still a hot 37 degrees so it was nice to finally get into Birdsville where we took it easy and had a roast meal at the famous Birdsville pub.

We waited while a family of emu's crossed the road

Trudy and Chris at the Jundah outback Oktoberfest

The Windorah solar farm

Chris and Ryan changing our 4th flat tyre - still smiling

Amy and Mikayla looking at stones on the hot, rocky plains near Birdsville

Day 32 - Sunday 7th October - Big Red - by "Ryan"

I had a little sleep in while Dad and Amy went to get some tyres repaired. When they got back I had some breakfast and we began packing up the camper trailer. Once we had packed up we decided to go for a drive to Big Red which is a huge red sand hill out of Birdsville at the start of the Simpson Desert. When we got closer to it the main road to it was closed so we had to take a big detour around the area to get to the bottom of it. We were all amazed because at the base of Big Red it was a huge lake full of water! Last time when we came here there was no water anywhere. Dad let some air out of the tyres and we drove up to the top. At the top we had a look around and the kids rolled down some of the hill. I was very exited when dad asked to drive with him down the other side and then up the steep side of Big Red and of course I said yes. Driving down wasn't too hard but I was still a bit nervous. At the bottom we drove back a bit to have a big enough run up to climb the hill. It was tricky driving up the sandy hill because the car was losing speed and the sand was a bit boggy but we made it to the top! Afterwards Mum also wanted a turn so she drove this time and was excited to make it to the top too. Then we had to leave Big Red. Back at Birdsville we had a quick shower then began driving along the Birdsville track to get to the Innaminka turn off but when we got there the access road was closed! Because it was closed we had to drive all the way back to Birdsville so that we could drive the other way around to Innaminka. On the way we got another puncture that we had to get repaired in Birdsville. After that tyre puncture was fixed we headed off the different way towards Innaminka which was back the same way we had come yesterday. Late in the afternoon we got ANOTHER puncture but dad was able to plug the hole and we continued on. We drove till it was getting dark and we set up camp just off the road  at Farley Tank. Once we hopped out we realized that it was really prickly everywhere but we stayed there anyway.  We set up and the kids played cards while Mum and Dad made tea. After tea we read for a while then went to bed because we were all a bit tired. 

The famous Birdsville pub

A group of emu's on our way towards the Simpson Desert

Our kids rolling down the Big Red sandhill, flood plains in the background

The massive "Big Red" sand hill out from Birdsville at the start of the Simpson Desert

Chris on top of "Big Red", another 4WD starting the climb

A very happy Ryan after conquering "Big Red"

A frustrated Chris with the access road to Innaminka being closed

Day 33 Monday 8th of October by Mikayla

In the morning we packed up the camper trailer early in amongst all the prickles. Once we were ready for our big drive we left FarleyTank and was on the road again to Innaminka . After a while of driving we got another puncture in one of our tyres that dad was able to fix with a tyre plug. We then decided that going to Innaminka with only one good spare tyre might not be a great idea on these rough, outback roads and we would be very rushed to get home with the long distance. Once we had thought about it for a while we decided to turn around and go the 170km back to Birdsville because dad knew someone there who had two new tyres of the same sort as dads that we could buy. When we arrived back in Birdsville for the third time, we dropped off the spare tyre to be fixed then went to the pub for a drink and bowl of chips. We bought 2 new tyres and dad fitted them on our car then we headed towards Maree to drive home. Later when it was getting dark we found a campsite on the side of the road to stay for the night. After we had set up Amy and I made a fire then mum made tea. For tea we had salad, rissoles and potatoes cooked in the fire. Once we had finished tea we played a game of cards called "hearts" ( AND I WON !!!!! ) then went to bed.

Our campsite off the road 

Ryan and Amy got very good at helping Chris change tyres, the pit crew.

Waiting at the Birdsville pub, for more tyres to be repaired.

Sunset at our road side camp

Day 34 - Tuesday 9th October - The Final Leg Home - by "Chris"

A beautiful clear morning greated us at our last bush camp, just off the Birdsville track and roughly 1000km from home. So an early start it was, quick packup and on the road by 7:26 heading straight for home and hoping for no more flat tyres. We only had one, a quick on site plug repair with my handy offsider Ryan, and away we went. We travelled via Leigh Creek, Hawker, Quorn, visited my sister in Stirling North, a bite to eat in Pt Pirie and made it home tired but happy around 8pm. Kids were very excited to see the pets, mum and dad very excited to see the showers. We made it! A quick 1000km in the day and everyone still happy!

Derwent River at Mungerannie

One of the many lizards on the road

Leaving our dust behind

The Flinders Ranges - a lovely change of scenery

The kids travelled very well together over 13,000kms in 5 weeks

Take care and stay warm !

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Rough map of our trip so far ......