b'Dec 2022 Trackwatch.qxp_Trackwatch Layout 17/12/202210:21 pmPage 28As it was Maureens birthday, we only water way we noticed. The grass 6:00pm and was not due to open untilcelebrated with a Sticky Ginger Pudding was quite lush as we passed Herbert 8:00am, half an hour after we wereadorned with some glow sticks pur- Downs to the right and their cattle scheduled to leave. However, the servochased at the Pink Roadhouse and ice- yards. Most of the road was bitumen agreed to open a 6:30am so we couldcream. Maureen was presented with a from here into Boulia, with a few flood refuel and make our 7:30am escape.fluffy pink stubby cooler donated by the ways and low hills in the distance. Note to selfalways refuel immediatelynew operators of the Pink Roadhouse. Camp was made just out of Boulia past on arrival.May 23rd, 2022. Trip notes by Jo the Racecourse, and into the free camp May 25th, 2022. Trip notes by GeoffToday starts our journey home.We area around the Burke River. We were With more rain overnight and with thehave all chosen to take the more certainly not alone here joining motor expectations of being stranded ininteresting (maybe longer) way home, homes, caravans and campers, but Birdsville, most of the crew were uprather than scurry into Alice Springs and found appropriate niches among the before their alarms went off and weredown the black top. The risk being that beautiful gum trees and lush grass breaking camp. Prior arrangements atthe floodwaters flowing from the growth to make another fab camp.the fuel servo saw us waiting beforeDiamantina Lakes would cut the track to A few hours were to be set aside the dawn to refuel and get to the causewayBirdsville and/or beyond and strand us. next morning to refuel and explore the before daylight. About 7:00am we wereSo, out of Jervois Station and on to the town of Boulia, the capital of the lined up to cross the causeway whenPlenty Highway,heading to Boulia, Channel Country and home of the the local constabulary showed up as477kms east. The Plenty is a major mysterious Min Min Lights. Robin had pre-arranged with them. Theyroute, quite wide, mostly dirt, but well May 24th, 2022. Trip notes by Dr crossed first to check for depth andmaintained, so we sat on 80 kph most of Phil flow, gave us the all clear to proceedthe time.Luckily, there was a light Late start at Boulia and into town for across the flooded Diamantina cause-breeze to take the dust off to the left for some shopping, fuel, and a look around way. At 7:10am we entered the cause-a while.before heading off along the blacktop to way water with reported depth ofAlso lucky for the oncoming wheelbar- Birdsville. Viewed a Waddi tree in Boulia 600mm and with a strong flow. All carsrow man we mettowing a small cart which was a corroboree site for several crossed the flooded causeway with nowith all his possessions. I cant fathom old tribes and a little down the track was concerns but a lot of worry. Once wethe mind set of those embarking on an information board where we had all crossed, we started our way tosuch an experience! His story would be discovered the Waddi tree was the rare Innamincka. worth listening to. However, we sailed and ancient Acacia Peuce. We later found out that the Diamantinapast him! On the road we came across a group crossing was soon closed after weThe breeze did not last, so the bulldust of about 30-40 cyclists and support crossed at water depth of over 1 meter.hovered at times as we saw the number vehicle from the Sunshine Coast cycling Good planning and information gainingof trees increase and decrease in size group. They were spread out over about on Robins partthank you mate. over the kms. The Arthur Creek was 10 km heading north. The stragglers Picked up the Birdsville Developmentwide and treed, but bone dry, as were were making hard work of it. Road out of Birdsville, past the race-the floodways, some of which were We pulled into the Vaughan Johnston course and then the 160 kms tobituminized, while some of the dirt ones lookout and had a great view of the Betoota. Black top soon became gravelrequired a little decrease in speed. surrounding countryside, and then with a section of the road flooded, andCattle yards, tanks, windmills, and the stopped for lunch at Bedourie before no road closed signs as we proceededodd cattle truck now and then reminded continuing on to Birdsville. through slowly at a depth of aboutus that this land is actually farmed. As The unsealed section of the road from 200mm so that didnt cause to manywe approached the Queensland border, Bedourie to Birdsville was closed due to problems. 9:00am saw us pull up fora green tinge of feed was becoming flooding but Bedourie info centre morning stop, and after such an earlymore apparent. The fluffy clouds in the advised us to take the chicken track via start to the day it was welcomed.distance improved the photography, but Lake MachattieHema and ExplorOz Continuing on through low level landstill allowed us to enjoy the sunshine. variously called this road the Flood there was a number of flooded areasTobermorey Station is virtually on the Bypass or Detour Route. While the map that looked like inland seas as theQld/NT border, but we had no need to showed numerous tracks it was in reality Diamantina was spreading out. Pulledvisit the station having fuelled up at a single road (with farm tracks off it), up at an interesting stop where theJervois. However, we stopped for the extremely well formed and in excellent locals had made a stone image of theobligatory photos entering Queensland condition. Better than some of the more rainbow serpent that wrapped around afrom NT and a time change. The road is major roads we had travelled. We went small hill. This site is called Sculpturesnow known as Donohue Highway. It is straight to the caravan park and set up of the Dreamtime.being progressively sealed to Boulia, so before having a shower and a few Next stop was the thriving metropolisspeeds of 100 kph were common on the drinks at the hotel, returning later for of Betoota, which includes a pub andblack top.Some lucky members saw a another good pub meal before heading perhaps a jail site. We downed a beer,group of wedge tailed eagles gathered back for the night. At the caravan park a hot pie and had a chat with the publi-near the roadside and others slowed we met up again with some of the bikers can in the pub.It was here we founddown for a largish, greenish-yellow who crossed the Simpson and a convoy out that the causeway was closed aftergoanna to cross the road. of 40 vehicles on some sort of rally. we got through, and that we were theDi found us a lightly treed pull off for Meanwhile we had discovered the river last group to get out for some time.lunch, after which the dirt was as good was rising and had cut the road. Robin Leaving Betoota saw us travelingas bitumen for some time. We left the arranged with the local police officer, through jump up country, took the turnturn off to Roxborough Downs on our left Senior Constable Stephan Pursell, to get off to Deons Lookout which gave aand later the Glenormiston Station on escorted across the causeway in the 360o view of the country. Left the look-the right. The Georgina flows across this morning at 7:30am. Unfortunately, we out and traveled through more of theChannel Country area, but was not had not immediately refuelled at jump up country taking us to thesignificant, Cottonbush Ck being the Birdsville and the local servo closed at Arrabury Road to travel the 290kms toInnamincka.26 DECEMBER2022 TRACKWATCH 26 JUNE2022 TRACKWATCH'