This is Part IV of Leigh’s trip across Australia in a 1944 Ford GPW. Read Part III here.

Map showing the trip from Montecollina to Cordillo Downs

Leaving Innaminka

Once more the weather was fine as we set off for Innaminka, although this was to be the un-doing of one of the Jeeps as the temperature reached 35 deg C (95 deg F) and combined with the hard going it cracked a cylinder head, yet another MB (Toyota engined) had electrical & clutch trouble, hitting a wash away in the road a bit hard the front diff knocked the alternator & clutch slave cylinder off! Temporary repairs were carried out and they left the convoy to head for home, arriving safely several days later we heard.

Road to Innaminka

Innaminka has a permanent population of about 12 residents and is nestled on the Cooper Creek 1065 km (660 ml) north-east of Adelaide and 459 km (285ml) from Lyndhurst up the Strzeleki Track. The actual “track” was originally blazed by Harry Redford, a cattle thief while droving 1000 head of stolen cattle from central Queensland to Adelaide. He was subsequently caught but due to his heroic efforts in establishing a new route was pardoned and later became one of Australias greatest drovers.

Innaminka Road

Innaminka is best known for the tragic death in 1861 of explorers Burke & Wills on the banks of the Cooper Creek. The full story can be found here.

Burke’s Grave

As the next day was a lay day an impromptu fishing competition was held on Cooper Ck with several Yellowbelly Perch being taken, It was here also that our clutch began to make strange noises, due I thought to the ingress of dust into the spigot bearing – more of this later.

Cooper Creek Yellow Belly

Ex Australia Army International crossing Cooper Creek.

In the following days we visited Burke’s grave & the Dig Tree, Montkeleary Creek, home to millions of friendly flies, so bad you had to wait untill dark to cook & eat, then along the Arrabury Rd toward Cordillo Downs. First leased in 1875, by the turn of the century Cordillo Downs was running more than 85,000 sheep. During this time Afgan camel teams hauled stores to the station from Farina and returned with wool the round trip taking two months.

Today Cordillo runs only cattle with approx 7000 head of poll Hereford cattle on the 7,900 square kilometer (4908 sq. ml) property. Next we head for Birdsville via Cadelga Ruins.

Read Part V Here

This is Part III of Leigh’s trip across Australia in a 1944 Ford GPW. Read Part II here.

Map shows the Billman to Montecollina leg of their journey.

Next morning we awoke to a clear sky – finally, and set of for the small town of Blinman, the town began with the discovery of Copper in 1859 and at its peak had a population of over 1500. today this peacful settlement has a permanent population of just 22, plus residents of the surrounding pastoral properties. It “boasts” a General store, Post Office and Hotel.

Blinman Hotel. Nothing but the finest hotels for the intrepid travelers!

After our first machine made coffee for nearly a week we moved on toward our next stop, Leigh Creek (cannot lie, it is named after me!) in brilliant sunshine, everyones spirits had clearly lifted. Stopping briefly for a break at historic Beltana, now a semi-ghost town which has important links with the Overland Telegraph, Transcontinental Railway, Australian Inland Mission and Mining.

Historic Ghan Railway – Beltana Siding

Reaching Leigh Creek around lunch time most took the opportunity to have a store bought meal and yet another coffee, such luxury, additional supplies and fuel were purchased as this was to be the last opportunity to do so until we reached Innaminka in four days time.

Leaving Leigh Creek the road deteriorated rapidy which was a sign of things to come with truck size corrugations in some sections and a surface like broken bricks in others playing havoc with seventy year old Jeep suspensions and drivers nearly as ancient! The three Mercedes Unimogs on the other hand weren’t feeling a thing!

Corrugations & Big sky!

Sturt’s Desert Pea – Balcanoona

Camping that night at Balcanoona Station in the Gammon ranges we could witness for the first time this trip, the stars, as can only be done in Central Australia – brilliant.

Sunrise at Balcanoona

As the next day was a lay day many of us decided to visit the iconic Arkaroola before heading to Montecollina Bore via Moolawatana Station where Australias version of the Great Wall of China crosses the track, the Dingo or Dog fence as it is commonly known, a six foot high 5614 km (3488 mile) long fence that was built in the 1880’s to keep the Dingo, Australias only native wild dog, out of the fertile south-east part of the continent to protect sheep flocks. It is the worlds longest fence stretching from Jimbour near the Queensland coast to end on the cliffs of the Nullabor Plain in South Australia.

The Dog / Dingo Fence

Arriving at Montecollina, the only known bore to be sunk for the watering of stock on the Strezlecki Track many took the opportunity of a dip in the warm waters. Today it is a popular campsite for outback travellers however apart from water has no facilities.

Montecollina Bore

Tomorrow onward to Innaminka with the weather improving all the time.

Read Part IV Here