“It’s All About The Experience – Yours and Ours ” Volume 18 Issue 2 Telephone : 08 8356 1874 November 2016

nother interesting year, and No rest for Burke & Wills Far north success stories A especially good to have a number of overseas visitors from New Zealand, t seems there is no rest for Burke owmans Rail England, Italy and Sweden join us! It is I and Wills, with the statue of the B has been always a pleasure to hear they appreciate ill-fated explorers likely to be moved awarded a how wonderful this Country is. again due to the construction of $200,000 Upper Melbourne Metro Rail. Spencer Gulf I mention the record rainfall across the

State later in this newsletter, however it After many moves and Outback Futures Program grant to is interesting that for the period around Melbourne, establish an intermodal container 1st January 2016 to 30th September 2016 the Burke and Wills terminal, just outside of the Leigh the Eyre Development Road monument was Creek township. (Birdsville to Bedourie) has been: placed in its current

location on the The terminal will provide an integrated • closed to all traffic for 55 days (20%) corner of Swanston road and rail service from Adelaide to the • restricted to high clearance (4x4) and Collins streets Cooper Basin, reducing inbound freight vehicles for 92 days (34%) in 1994. costs and creating transport efficiencies. • open to all traffic for 127 days (46%)

It will use the existing rail infrastructure Other roads including the Birdsville With the acquisition of the City Square as a works site for the duration of the between Port Augusta and Leigh Creek Track, Strzelecki Track have to transfer imported and domestic freight been similarly impacted. metro construction, the statue is likely from Adelaide to Leigh Creek. The Cordillo Downs Road (Innamincka to be moved again. It will then transfer the inbound freight to Arrabury turn off) remains closed at Designed by Charles Summers and the time of writing. This has obviously by road to the Cooper Basin. costing £14,000, the monument was had a negative impact on businesses and unveiled on April 21, 1865. The intermodal will also provide an the tourist season generally. Originally on the corner of Collins and option for back-loading minerals for the Russell streets, the growth of traffic and emerging mining industry in Leigh Our 2017 departure dates have been set the laying of tram tracks led to the re- Creek. and are listed on pages 3 and 4. moval of the monument in 1886. It was placed in a reserve in Spring St, We appreciate your continued interest in opposite Parliament House on the tomato farm that relies on the sun Desert Sky tours! I hope you enjoy and seawater to produce more than corners of Spring, Lonsdale and A reading this newsletter ! 15,000 tonnes of fruit a year has been Nicholson streets. officially launched in Port Augusta. It is now only a few weeks to Christmas, It was moved to Carlton Gardens in Sundrop Farms ’ sustainable facility in and as this will be our final newsletter for 1973 when Parliament Station was Port Augusta includes four five-hectare the year, we would like to wish you all constructed, and then moved again to climate controlled greenhouses, a desali- the best for Christmas and the New Year. the corner of Swanston and Collins in nation plant and concentrated solar pow- the City Square in 1979 and a fountain er system comprised of a 127-metre high was added. tower and more than 23,000 mirrors to reflect the sun’s energy. The statue was restored and moved to its present location at the corner of Swanston and Collins Streets in 1994. Sundrop The Burke & Wills Historical Society Farms has has made a submission to have the secured a statue permanently relocated to the 10-year deal grounds of the Royal Society of to supply Victoria . Coles supermarkets with truss tomatoes nationally.

DESERT SKY TOURS……….. 1998 Finalist – Small Business Award Finalist …….. 2002 Winner – Northern SA Business Awards

Desert Sky News Page 2

How weather can change things! Eyre/Kati Thanda

bove average rainfall in many parts of the Outback this year This information is a result of a flyover by National A resulted in a number of road closures - some for a Parks staff on Monday 25 October (Natural Considerable time. Resources SA Arid Lands) A couple of our itineraries required adjustment, however no departure was cancelled! ati Thanda continues to dry up with the increasing It was amazing to see how the State's Outback and Flinders K evaporation rate. In the last month, water coverage Ranges responded, with the wet winter setting creeks and on the north lake has decreased from around 30% to waterfalls running, and the landscape springing to life with flowers about 15%, and the south lake from 15% to completely and greenery. dry.

A couple of months ago we travelled from Arkaroola to Copley On the north lake, Belt Bay is drying up but having the and through an area known for its rugged red ranges, gnarled lowest point of the lake, it will hold water for some time gum trees and stony creek beds. It was at the time a severe to come. There is shallow water drying quickly in storm had cut power to the State, and we called into Iga Warta, Jackboot Bay, and this water is no longer connected to the Adnyamathanha -owned Cultural Centre in the northern Belt Bay. Flinders region. Madigan Gulf is almost dry, except a small shallow patch The Centre was without electricity, and a large billy was boiling of water to the southwest of Brooks Island but this should away with hot water for our coffee. One of the men asked me disappear soon. which way we were travelling, and when I replied "Copley", he There are still minor flows in the Warburton and said he doubted I would get through as the Frome River and a Kalaweerina Creeks, but water in the Warburton Groove couple of creeks had come up. is not making it to Dulhunty or Hughes Islands any more. He gave rough directions for a detour on Angepena Station and a and Umbum Creek have stopped flowing. possible shallower crossing. With darkening skies in the west The at Birdsville is rising again but is (the direction we were travelling), a decision was made to get still below a minor flood level. moving quickly. This will have little influence on Kati Thanda if no The Frome River did not cause a problem and (thankfully) we did further rains occur due to the increasing temperature and not need to find the detour, but it was amazing to see water evaporation. flowing in most of the many creeks as we headed to Copley. In the 20 years or more we have been along that road the creeks Visitors on the ground may not see water anymore at have been bone dry. Halligan Bay Point, and won't see water at South lookout or Level Post Bay. There was another experience when we arrived in Copley. The power black-out meant the bakery was unable to provide it's Water coverage changes with each new local rain event well renowned pasties, but a more important consequence was and is dependent on the monsoon in Queensland bringing uncertainty of fuel. David had heard Lyndhurst was without power floodwaters down through the Lake Eyre Basin's inland and unable to supply fuel, and suggested I fill up at the local river system. Service Station as it had a back-up generator for the pumps. National Parks staff regularly monitor the water levels in Finally, in realisation of how we often take things for granted, I Kati-Thanda-Lake Eyre and provide a report to tourism went to settle our accommodation account at Marree -a town outlets (and others). which has it's own power generation plant. The EFTPOS machine was down because the storm had knocked out the telephone lines a couple of days before and Lyall was waiting on re-connection. The Dig Tree It is wonderful when nature breathes new life into one of the most ancient landscapes on earth! In March 2016 a new Dig Tree Ranger was appointed.

Col from Townsville replaced Duck Robertson, who How to contact us: resigned last October. The Royal Historical Society of Queensland have been preparing a new Dig Tree 08 8356 1874 Conservation Management Plan. The Burke and Wills Historical Society made a detailed submission to the PO Box 683 consultants in January and the Plan was due for release GLENELG SA 5045 around Easter 2016. As yet, nothing has been heard from the RHSQ about the [email protected] CMP, although the $20,000 grant has been acquitted. www.desertskytours.com

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Legendary Longreach & Winton 2017 Itineraries 2017 Itineraries

Yorke Peninsula Mungo and The & The Southern Hattah 2Kulkyne Flinders Ranges National Parks (5 days) (5 days) $1650pp $1950pp Saturday 11th February Saturday 25th March Ardrossan, Port Julia, Port Vincent, Edithburgh, Pinnaroo, Kow Plains Homestead and Cowangie, and Wool Bay. Scenic drive to Troubridge Point Murrayville, Pink Lakes, Underbool, Mildura, The population of Australia's smallest Wentworth, Old Zanci Station, Mungo town increased this month from zero to and Marion Bay. Innes National Park includes Cable Bay, Cape Spencer and Pondalowie Bay. Woolshed, Walls of China, Grand Canyon, 200 for the fifth annual Channel Country Vigar's Well, Perry Sand hills, Paddle Steamer Ladies day. Corny Point, Warooka and Yorketown. Moonta, Kadina and Wallaroo. Southern Flinders through Lock 11 Mildura, Red Cliffs, Lake Hattah, The event brought women from remote Ranges, Alligator Gorge, Melrose. Scenic Bridle Lake Victoria, Rufus River, The Riverland properties together to concentrate on Track to Port Germein their health and well-being, under the guise of cocktails and pampering.

The Back The Betoota race track, in Queensland's Kangaroo south-west, was transformed into a hub O’Bourke for guest speakers, shopping stalls, Island (9 days) (4 days) beauty treatments and health providers. $3850pp $2200pp Katie Brown, originally from the chan- Wednesday 3rd May nel country, travelled from a remote (Includes Sealink ferry!) Broken Hill, Mutawintji NP, White Cliffs, Wilcannia, station near Onslow in Western Tilpa, Louth, Bourke( accommodation Bourke River- Australia, said it is “really important for Monday 27th February side Motel ), Lightning Ridge, Gilgandra, Cobar, station women to get away and to come Saturday 4th November Balranald, Murrayville, Pinnaroo to things like this, When you do get to Penneshaw, Antechamber Bay, Cape go to town, you never get a chance to do Willoughby, American River, Kingscote, an art class or do something that's really Flinders Chase National Park, Cape Borda, The Sapphire Coast for you [so] I've just really enjoyed Admirals Arch, Cape De Coudic, Seal Bay, Emu catching up with everyone." (8 days) Bay, Stokes Bay, Snelling Beach, Western River Amid the glitz and glamour, some Cove $3600pp women were reflecting on issues faced by remote women, including access to Wednesday 5th April health services. Wilson’s Portland, Great Ocean Road, Otway Tree Top Walk, Promontory Apollo Bay, Metung, Lakes Entrance, Eden, Twofold (9 days) Bay, Pambula, Merimbula, Bega, Victorian coastal 2017 Itineraries towns, Meeniyan, Camperdown, Dunkeld, $3850pp The Coorong.

Wednesday 8th March The Painted Desert Grampians NP, Halls Gap, Penshurst, Mortlake, (9 days) Colac, Queensciffe Ferry, Sorrento, Meeniyan, $3850pp Coongie Lakes Tidal River, Waratah Bay, Walkerville, Agnes (7 days)

Falls, Strzelecki Ranges, Tara Bulga NP, Friday 19th May Grand Ridge Road, Skenes Creek, $2995pp The Great Ocean Road, Mt Gambier, Clare Valley, Leigh Creek, Marree, William The Coorong. Creek, Coober Pedy,The Breakaways, Painted Friday 2nd June Desert, Woomera, Roxby Downs, Andamooka, Old Strzelecki Track, Innamincka, Coongie Lakes, Port Camp LXV, Cameron Corner, Sturt NP, Tibooburra, Augusta, Arid Lands Botanical Gardens, Broken Hill, Loch Lilly and Quandong Stations, Horrock's Pass to the Flinders Ranges, Orroroo Burra. and Burra.

Desert Sky News Page 4 2017 Itineraries 2017 Itineraries 2017 Itineraries

Tumby Bay Head of Legendary & Bight & The Longreach Eyre Peninsula Eyre Peninsula & Winton ( 5 days) ( 9 days) $1800 pp (12 days) $3700pp $4595pp Saturday 21st October Wednesday 16th August Saturday 8th July Cowell, Tumby Bay, Pt Lincoln, and Whalers Port Germein, Arno Bay, Port Neill, Trinity Strzelecki Track, Innamincka, Windorah, Lark Way. Coffin Bay, Talia and Woolshed Caves, Haven Scenic Drive, Poonindie , Port Lincoln, Quarry Dinosaur Trackway, Winton, Waltzing Streaky Bay , Murphy's Haystacks. Ceduna , Sleaford Bay, Tod Reservoir, Cummins, Matilda Centre, Longreach. Visit The Stockman's Yalata, Head Of Bight (whale watching) and Mt Hope, Point Drummond, Greenly Beach, Dutton Hall of Fame, Qantas Founders Museum, Sunset Bunda Cliffs. Return via Minnipa, Gawler Bay, Coffin Bay National Park to Golden Island and Cruise on the Thomson River. Ranges, Kimba ,Pt Augusta and Flinders Ranges Price Island. Explore Whalers Way and visit the Koppio Museum. Return is via Kimba, Iron Knob, Barcaldine, The Tree Of Knowledge, Blackall to Adelaide. Port Augusta and Horrocks Pass to the Flinders Wool scour, Tambo, Charleville. Cunnamulla, Ranges, Orroroo and Burra . Currawinya National Park, Hungerford, The Darling Track to Yantabulla, Fords Bridge and Flinders Ranges Bourke. & Skytrek A day exploring Bourke visiting Mt Oxley and local ( 4 days ) attractions and a cruise aboard the Jandra $1800 pp paddle-steamer on the Darling River. Dares Hill Circuit Wilcannia via The Darling River Run through Friday 1st September Louth, Tilpa and on to Broken Hill. Old Pastoral ( 2 days) Rawnsley Park, Wilpena Pound, Willow Springs route to Burra, Adelaide $700 pp Station, “ Skytrek”, Bunyeroo Valley, Brachina Gorge, Blinman, Parachilna Gorge, Moralana Scenic Drive, Melrose, The Bridle Track,

Birdsville & Port Germein, Laura, Orroroo, Burra, Eudunda Departure by demand Innamincka and Kapunda. ( 9 days) Gilbert Valley, Terowie, Peterborough (overnight $3850 pp and we visit Steamtown’s Laser Light Show ), Franklyn, Ketchowla, Dares Hill, Mt Bryan. Flinders Ranges Friday 16th June & Arkaroola Clare Valley, Leigh Creek, Marree, Mungerannie, ( 5 days) Lake Eyre Birdsville, Innamincka, Camp LXV (the Dig Tree), $2375 pp Cameron Corner, Sturt National Park, Tibooburra, ( 3 days)

Broken Hill, Old Pastoral Route via Loch Lilly $1625 pp Station to Burra, Adelaide Saturday 9th September Includes Plane flight Rawnsley Park, Wilpena Pound, Bunyeroo Valley, Brachina Gorge, Blinman, Departure by demand Arkaroola, Ridgetop Tour , Bolla Bollana , Clare Valley, Leigh Creek, Marree, One and a half Arkaroola Waterhole, Gammon Ranges, Birdsville & hour plane flight over Lake Eyre, Farina Ruins, Moralana Scenic Drive. Windorah Ochre Cliffs, Hawker, Orroroo, Terowie, Bun, Clare

( 9days) Valley. $3850 pp The Gawler Saturday 8th July Ranges Flinders Ranges Clare Valley, Leigh Creek, Marree, Mungerannie, ( 5 days) Birdsville, Betoota, Windorah, Quilpie, Toompine, $1995 pp & Outback Thargomindah, Cunnamulla, Bourke, The Darling ( 8 days ) River Run, Louth, Tilpa, Wilcannia, Broken Hill. $3995pp Old Pastoral Route via Loch Lilly Station to Burra, Saturday 23rd September Departure by demand Adelaide. Port Wakefield, Port Germein, Port Augusta, Iron Rawnsley Park, Wilpena Pound, Bunyeroo Valley, Knob, Corunna, Siam, Nonning, Mt Ive, Lake Brachina Gorge, Blinman, Arkaroola, Ridgetop Gairdner, Yardea, Hiltaba, Paney Station, The Tour, Arkaroola Waterhole, Gammon Ranges, Organ Pipes, Pildappa Rock, Tcharkuldu Hill, Moralana Scenic Drive. Marree, The Oodnadatta Minnipa, Wudinna, Kimba, Wilmington, Melrose, Track, William Creek, Coober Pedy, The Painted Gladstone, The Clare Valley. Desert, Woomera, Roxby Downs