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| CANOEING through the DESERT: Cooper Creek and Coongie Lakes |
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Departs from Adelaide (or Broken Hill) 9 day / 8 night camping |
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| 9 Days Easy Grade Canoeing + Camping Overnight | |||||||||||||||||
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Departures Departing from Adelaide 2009: 23 May 2010: To be advised |
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ITINERARY: Canoeing through the Desert |
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Day 1 Depart from Victoria Square, Adelaide at 8.00am, heading for Broken Hill where you stay the night. Whilst Broken Hill is situated in New South Wales, it is closer to Adelaide than any other major city, and thus observes Australian Central Standard Time (South Australian time). Broken Hill is a mining town, with the world’s largest mining company, BHP Billiton, originating in the town. |
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Day 2 Today drive via the old goldfield of Milparinka, Depot Glen (where Charles Sturt’s party were stranded for six months), and the classic Outback town of Tibooburra. Your destination of tonight is Sturt National Park, referred to as the jewel of the NSW Outback. Covering 340 000 hectares of semi-desert country, the park is situated in the far western corner of New South Wales. In the east of the park flood plains dotted with occasional trees give way to small rocky gorges and dry creek beds. The Olive Downs, or ‘jump-up’ country is where the flat topped mesa rise up to 150 metres above the surrounding plains. Further west the gibber plains are replaced by the sandhills of the Strezlecki Desert. (BLD) |
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Day 3 It’s off to Innamincka today! Travel via Cameron Corner, where the South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland borders meet. From here travel through the Strzelecki Desert to Innamincka. Proclaimed a township in 1890, Innamincka is located 340 kilometres from Tibooburra, near the junction of the Strzelecki, Cordillo and Nappa Merrie tracks on the famous Cooper Creek. Just a few kilometres to the east is a monument marking the site of the death of John O'Hara Burke, leader of the ill-fated Burke and Wills Expedition of 1861, whilst the site of Will's death is a few kilometres to the west of Innamincka. For many years the township of Innamincka remained as it was in 1891, with a store, hotel, saddler's shop, Chinese eating house and a police station. In 1972 The Cooper's Creek Hotel-Motel and the Innamincka Trading Post were established to service travellers through the region, and today a motel, stores, information centre and more provide for travellers and locals alike. Tonight you will camp beside Cooper Creek near the town. (BD) |
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Day 4 Your
first day of canoeing on the Cooper! You will paddle along
the Cullyamurra Waterhole, a region of unsurpassable natural beauty that
provides sanctuary for many of the unique flora and fauna species of
South Australia's arid lands. This area has played a significant part in
both the Aboriginal and European history of Australia. It is home to
many endangered and protected species and amazing examples of the
Yandruwandha/Yawarrawarrka peoples’ rock art, burial sites and
artefacts. This area also featured in the fateful expedition of Burke
and Wills making it a significant part of Australia's European history.
Yellow belly and catfish abound in the waterhole, which is known as
being Australia’s largest billabong. Camp beside the waterhole
overnight. (BLD) |
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Day 5 Travelling eastwards to Nappa Merie Station, you visit the Dig Tree, where supplies were left for the ill-fated Burke and Wills Expedition in the 1860s. You return to the Innamincka Hotel, referred to as the ‘Taj Mahal’ of the outback, with its striking contrast of corrugated mini orb, spotted gum beams, teak furniture and wood finishes throughout. In the early days the pub was a stopover for shearers who, believe it or not, rode their push bikes to woolsheds up and down the Strzelecki Track. It's also been a watering hole for those who have broken down and have had to call it quits. And in a sense that's what happened to the town and it's original hotel last century. Depression and sand drifts closed the track and it's 1880s pub. Now the old ruins and the bottle heap provide a talking point for drinkers in the new hotel. Check out the restored Inland Mission over the road from the hotel. Tonight you make camp in Innamincka and for the evening meal, you can sample the hearty and well-praised tucker at the pub (own expense). (BL) |
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Day 6 This morning drive out towards the World Heritage listed region of Coongie Lakes, which lies within the Innamincka Regional Reserve. The track to the lakes takes you roughly north-west of Innamincka through dry sandy country. The Coongie Lakes system has been recognised for its importance in providing a unique environment for plants and animals of the desert. There are pleasant camping spots around the south-east corner of Coongie Lake, and a few spots along the creek bank. Wading birds are plentiful, and the surrounding bush is full of other desert bird species, so the lake is a bird watchers' dream. The peace and remoteness of this area will also appeal to other travellers. Canoeing along the creek here is a wonderful way to explore. The bird life is prolific in the region. There are desert species to be found, but most obvious are the waders, waterbirds and bush birds which inhabit the areas close to the waters of the Cooper Creek. The Coongie Lakes system is so highly populated with birds, that there are hundreds of rufous night-herons roosting next to the cormorants. The gibber plains that surround Innamincka are an ideal environment to observe gibberbirds, chats and other tiny desert inhabitants. The dry sandy regions provide yet another ecology with some elusive species being observed amongst the salty flora. Spend this afternoon paddling this fabulous wetland before returning to your overnight at Innamincka. (BLD) |
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Day 7 Continue your exploration of the Coongie Lakes system before returning to Innamincka and perhaps visiting Will's Grave or the site of King’s dramatic rescue before heading south along one of Australia’s famous cattle droving routes, the Strzelecki Track. The Strzelecki Track was pioneered by bushman Harry Redford, who brought stolen cattle from Queensland to South Australia in 1871. He was later immortalised as Captain Starlight in Rolfe Boldrewood's novel, Robbery under Arms. In early days, the track was the scene of John Flynn's first efforts at radio communication. Driving a Model T Ford with his associate, George Towns, he headed up the Strzelecki Track in the early 1920s, experimenting with Morse signals sent from a primitive set. On his return, a stationhand told him that he'd heard a faint signal from Cordillo Downs, a homestead north of Innamincka. It was the first positive result of many months of experimentation. These days, the track is maintained mainly for traffic to the Gidgealpa and Moomba oil and natural gas fields. Your overnight stop is the tiny South Australian town of Copley, famous for the many delights found in the Quandong Café. (BLD) |
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Day 8 Your journey continues through Outback South Australia and soon you reach the Northern Flinders Ranges. Take a short walk in the famous dry creek beds and drive through stunning Parachilna Gorge. The Prairie Hotel is an Outback institution and the coffee and treats here are worth the stop! Blinman is an old copper town with a tiny pub surrounded by hills. Spend tonight at Angorichina Village, nestled amongst the dramatic outcrops of the surrounding hills and ranges. Relax by the campfire tonight and relive the adventures of the past days before settling down for the night. (BLD) |
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Day 9 Today’s travels take you through the rugged and ancient Flinders Ranges, past the natural formation of Wilpena Pound and through the town of Hawker, which houses a fully operational seismograph in the local fuel station. The Southern Flinders Ranges are a rolling green to their northern counterpart, and you stop at the pretty town of Melrose, nestled at the base of Mount Remarkable. Passing through the picturesque Clare Valley, arrive at your final destination of Adelaide in the late afternoon after a great nine days of adventuring in South Australia’s Outback. (B) |
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Included in your 'Canoeing through the Desert' Adventure |
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* Professional Tour guide * Transport ex Adelaide * Camping equipment (sleeping bag not included - can be hired for A$25) * 8 nights camping accommodation * Meals as indicated - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner * Canoe hire. |
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One of Australia's most isolated river systems, the Cooper
(pictured) flows from monsoonal Queensland into South Australia's desert country.
In most years floodwater flows along the Cooper into the fabulous Coongie Lakes system, creating a huge freshwater oasis. These are major wetland areas set in the middle of a desert; a region of great beauty and environmental significance. Red kangaroos and
dingoes abound, eagles and flocks of pelicans dominate the skies and graceful brolgas dance on the shores.
