Coongie Lakes to Birdsville

Coongie Lakes is truly beautiful. One of our mornings there we had a spectacular sunrise.

We had to backtrack over the rugged corrugations to return to Innamincka and take the Walker's Crossing Track, link up with the Birdsville Track and make our way to the famous little town in the corner of Queensland. On our way we stopped at King's site where King was found after following the local aborigines around for a few weeks. He was very lucky to have been so well cared for by them but unfortunately he was always plagued by ill health after this expedition and died when he was only 33. We had to decide whether to have a 'dry camp' for the night i.e. no water nearby so only minimal washing and showering, or head for Birsdville. We decided on the latter though we broke the golden rule of camping and didn't get in till after 9pm. We are usually settled by 3 or at the latest 4 so we can enjoy the aspect and set up in the light. We did see a brilliant sunset along the way and because the horizon is visible all round with no hills it is truly a memorable sight.

It is a little hard to make out but this is Sturt's Stony Desert and the ground is covered in small red rocks for as far as you can see.These photos were take all at the same time with me just moving the camera to the next part of the sky.

We are now camped on the Diamantina River and unless you were told you wouldn't know it was a caravan park from the first photos you see. We can have open fires and enjoy all the benefits of camping with a shower, laundry and kitchen about 150m away. We will leave for the Desert tomorrow and will be out of range for about a week. We hope to get to Alice Springs next weekend.