The weather had settled down so we decided to set out for Stuart Creek again. A slight hiccup first though. The second battery that runs the fridge had finally died. The Roxby Downs AutoPro came to the rescue – An Exide Extreme in the right size, terminals in the right places and a good price. Liam enjoyed an extra hour of morning TV as I put the new battery in.
By the time we got back to Andamooka, the wind has picked up. A quick noodle, into the car and onto the Farina track that goes through Mulgaria Station via Stuart Creek.
Half an hour in we couldn’t see the bonnet because of the massive dust storm. Luckily the GPS (Garmin 760 running ShonkyMaps) had enough detail that we could follow the track through dunes and claypans.
Stuart Creek wasn’t what we expected – not a little old abandoned opal field but instead a collection of massive mullock heaps dug by bulldozers and excavators. We tried to get out but the wind stopped us. The car was covered in dust and mud – Liam’s window was completed covered.
We didn’t hang around. The track to join up to the Borefield Road was even less obvious. Again took a punt on the GPS and got some reassurance from having the Satphone at hand. At one intersection there was a tiny sign that said No Public Access but we had asked at the Andamooka Post Office where the lady sort of said it was ok. Not only was it a dust storm but it had rained a few days back. Dad did a four wheel drift :) (Liam’s highlight for the day). We finally found the dingo fence, figured out which gate to go through and eventually came out onto the Borefield Road. A relief.
The dust storm hadn’t got any better. We couldn’t see Lake Eyre South from either lookout, Curdimurka Siding was a set of photos out of the window.
At this stage a cabin at William Creek was looking to be the safest bet but I vaguely recalled that Coward Springs had cabins. Turns out that they do have a cabin – the restored engine driver’s cottage from Ghan days but not for accommodation. At the last minute before we were going to call William Creek, Liam found a sheltered campsite. We pitched the tent, the wind dropped, ate spag bog and went to bed.
By the time we got back to Andamooka, the wind has picked up. A quick noodle, into the car and onto the Farina track that goes through Mulgaria Station via Stuart Creek.
Half an hour in we couldn’t see the bonnet because of the massive dust storm. Luckily the GPS (Garmin 760 running ShonkyMaps) had enough detail that we could follow the track through dunes and claypans.
Stuart Creek wasn’t what we expected – not a little old abandoned opal field but instead a collection of massive mullock heaps dug by bulldozers and excavators. We tried to get out but the wind stopped us. The car was covered in dust and mud – Liam’s window was completed covered.
We didn’t hang around. The track to join up to the Borefield Road was even less obvious. Again took a punt on the GPS and got some reassurance from having the Satphone at hand. At one intersection there was a tiny sign that said No Public Access but we had asked at the Andamooka Post Office where the lady sort of said it was ok. Not only was it a dust storm but it had rained a few days back. Dad did a four wheel drift :) (Liam’s highlight for the day). We finally found the dingo fence, figured out which gate to go through and eventually came out onto the Borefield Road. A relief.
The dust storm hadn’t got any better. We couldn’t see Lake Eyre South from either lookout, Curdimurka Siding was a set of photos out of the window.
At this stage a cabin at William Creek was looking to be the safest bet but I vaguely recalled that Coward Springs had cabins. Turns out that they do have a cabin – the restored engine driver’s cottage from Ghan days but not for accommodation. At the last minute before we were going to call William Creek, Liam found a sheltered campsite. We pitched the tent, the wind dropped, ate spag bog and went to bed.
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