Lake Eyre to Birdsville

Travel to Nyngan this morning before joining the Barrier Highway to Broken Hill. Travelling though the towns of Cobar and Wilcannia before arriving in “The Silver City”.

STAY: Silver Haven Motor Inn

From Broken Hill today we travel to Cockburn where we cross the border into South Australia. The colours in the surrounding countryside have a unique look about them as we will see as we travel through the old railway township of Olary & Manna Hill. Peterborough is the town that has 3 different rail gauges. This afternoon we travel through the wheat country and the start of ’The Goyder Line’. Crossing the Flinders Ranges to Quorn.

STAY: The Austral Inn

After our town tour of Quorn our journey takes us to the Kanyaka ruins and then into Hawker, the main township in the Flinders Ranges. Time to view the Wilpena Panorama, a spectacular 30 metre 360-degree view painted by local artist Jeff Morgan. Drive parallel with the coal railway through Parachilna to the coal mining town of Leigh Creek before making Marree our home for tonight in cabin rooms.

STAY: Oasis Town Centre Caravan Park

Lake Eyre -Kati Thanda is a massive salt lake it is 144km long and 77km wide and is the lowest point on the Australian mainland – just like Death Valley is in the US. Today we venture out to take in the view of this amazing area. Travelling sections of the Old Ghan Line and stopping to see the amazing hot springs just bubbling out of the ground. Visit Curdimurka, just one of the important sidings for the Old Ghan. Take in the views across Lake Eyre South before continuing the Coward Springs. Here you can take a dip in the hot spring. Returning to Marree after an adventurous day.

Scenic flights are available this morning (own expense). Please advise at time of booking if you wish to take a flight over Lake Eyre—Kati Thanda and surrounds. Really this is the only way to take in the enormity of this incredible area. Plenty to do in Marree, if you do not wish to take a flight. 

Join the Birdsville Track this morning, 516 kilometres to Birdsville. Following the route originally used to drove cattle from southwest Queensland to the Marree Railhead. The track lies between the Simpson Desert, with its giant sand dunes and the Sturt Stony Desert. Along the way we will visit Mungerannie Roadhouse and pass artesian bores, pouring out millions of litres of salty boiling water

STAY: 2 nights at Birdville Hotel

This morning we travel out to “Big Red”, standing 30 metres high, Big Red is the first of the 1,113 dunes of the Simpson Desert. Visit the Billabong and take time out to have a beer at the famous pub.

We will depart Birdsville at 8.00 AM this morning and travel the Development road to Shallow Lake and here we will join the Cordillo Downs Road. Stop at the Cadelga Ruin and pass one of Australia’s largest shearing sheds at Cordillo Downs. Travelling through the Innamincka Regional Reserve crossing dry creek crossings we make our way into Innamincka for a two (2) nights stay.

STAY: Innamincka Hotel

This morning we make our way to the famous Dig Tree, one of Australia’s national icons and a reminder of our pioneering spirit. This is the site from which Burke and Wills set off for the Gulf of Carpentaria and the scene of their tragic exhausted return to find the camp deserted (by only a few hours!) with a carving on a large coolibah tree telling them where to dig for supplies. Also, we see King’s Marker which signifies the spot where the sole survivor of the Burke and Wills expedition, John King was found. This afternoon we enjoy a Sunset Cruise on Cooper Creek.

Departing Innamincka we travel what is known as the Adventure Way passing through Nappa Merrie, the Naccowlah Oil Field and the Jackson Oil Field making our way to Thargomindah for our luncheon break. Situated on the Bulloo River, Thargomindah was the first town in Australia, and third in the world, to produce hydro-electric power for street lighting by using the water pressure from the Artesian Basin. We continue this afternoon to Cunnamulla for a short break before making our way out of town to Charlotte Plains Station for a two (2) nights stay. Shearers quarters accommodation no ensuite however facilities are not too far away.

STAY: Charlotte Plains Station

This is an authentic working sheep and cattle property (half the size of Singapore) Today Station owner, Robyn Russell, will take us on a guided tour of her property that has been in her family for 85 years. A great day to get a glimpse of life on the land and a true outback experience. Afterward you can soak in natures hot spa baths with free-flowing artesian waters from deep below the earth’s surface. Charlotte Plains is steeped in history from the grand days of when wool was worth a pound and Rolls Royce’s were used to cart the Boss around right through to the family nearly losing the place.  

Farewell to Charlotte Plains as we start heading for home. Our journey today will take us to St George and Ninigully to Thallon to view the amazing artwork on the silos. The mural painted on the four silos “showcases icons of the district in the Moonie River and one of the area’s amazing sunsets. It also recognises members of Thallon’s indigenous community by the inclusion of a scarred tree and celebrates the area’s agricultural base. Cross the border back into NSW at Mungindi we make our way to Moree for our last nights accommodation. 

Departing at 8.00 AM today we make our way back to the Central Coast. Passing through Narrabri ad Boggabri we enjoy morning tea at Gunnedah. Continuing through Quirindi and Murrurundi we take lunch in Scone. Our afternoon’s drive takes us through Singleton to Branxton where we join the link road and motorway back to the Central Coast.