Innamincka to Adelaide via Parachilna.

We were on the road fairly early on the 1st of September heading for the Prairie Hotel, Parachilna via Lyndhurst.

Passed through the Strzelecki Desert, Moomba Gas fields and finally to Lyndhurst to be back on the black, first day in 9 days. The Moomba area is very busy with trucks and machinery but once past that area it quietens down with only a few vehicles. As we reached Lyndhurst we passed their famous Sputnik! but once on the black it was almost like being in suburbia again. On our way to Parachilna the Flinders Ranges skirting Wilpena Pound cut a striking landscape.

Entering the Prairie Hotel in Parachilna was like driving into an oasis. We spent the evening there in the old school grounds camping ground and enjoyed the showers in the morning.

The evening meal in the campground of chicken and steak with vegies was again cooked over mulga wood coals as well as some local wood. A good night around the camp fire.

In the morning we were up and on the road to Adelaide via Hawker, Quorn, Wilmington, when we saw some fine crops looking very green and healthy. Something we had not seen for some time. we arrived back in Adelaide approximately 4.15pm on 2/9/2019. What a great little Wallaby!

Wallaby 4 Summary:

In essence by my numbers;

1. We traveled Adelaide to Adelaide a total of 3190 kms
2. Based on lts purchased we averaged 20.764 lts / 100 kms in the Toyota Series 200
3. To Hawker we purchased 651.6 Lts at a total cost of $1149.94, this did get us to Adelaide in the Toyota Series 200
4. The average per ltr cost was $1.76 in the Toyota Series 200
5. Food by 2 purchases of P&T H + Jarrod $590.09
6. Works out to $147.52 per hd over 10 days and then $14.75 per head each day and we ate very well and it was high quality food cooked by experts!
7. To cross the Simpson desert Dalhousie Springs to Birdsville, we took 24 hrs over 4 camps and 5 days a distance of 438.61 kms
8. To cross the Simpson desert Dalhousie Springs to Birdsville the BT 50 used 113 lts fuel and the Toyota 200 series used 125 lts

I think the above summary comes up excellent and is a real credit to Tim and Jarrod for having the courage to take Kev and myself on this great Wallaby. Hopefully the numbers will help with future wallaby planning. Thank you both and Kev again so much for a fantastic trip but more importantly a very special Father and Son expedition.

A failed resort near Moomba

Tims GME Radia arial broke near Moomba

Emus running to get out of our way!

Above and below road trains on the Moomba Road

Moomba Gas Fields

Grazing cattle near the side of the road

The Lyndhurst Sputnik!

Flinders Ranges

An art sculpture at Parachilna

Other art works identifying fossils found nearby.

Our cars outside the Prarie Hotel, Parachilna.

Not elegant but apparently very effective
Prarie Hotel outdoor heating

The beautiful Flinders Ranges

A farm house ruin at the base of the Flinders Ranges, Parachilna.

An outline of our Wallaby, Adelaide to Adelaide clockwise showing camps and route taken.

Birdsville to Innamincka

The Birdsville Pub with the Citroen 2CV Bash cars outside, crews inside.

On the morning of the 31st of August 2019 we rallied after the night before and had breakfast at the the Birdsville Pub it was a great breakfast but time had moved on so we needed to move on too. Today we wanted to get to Innamincka travelling east on the road to Beetoota, but before we get to Beetoota we turn right into Cordilllo Downs Road. Here we are crossing the Sturts Stony Desert. We soon came across the ruins of first Cadelga  Out  Station. Next we came across the working Cordillo Downs Station.

Being on a time constraint we did not venture inside but believe you can do a tour of the station including what is renowned to be Australia's if not the worlds largest shearing shed. The woolshed at Cordillo Downs once had stands for 120 shearers which makes it Australia's biggest woolshed. It was a good thing that it was so big, because by the early 20th century, Cordillo Downs, with 85,000 sheep, was Australia's biggest sheep station. Not any more though. Today, the station runs cattle ... ~7,000 of them. Buggered if I know what the cattle eat though. There's not a lot of grass out there. There's not a lot of trees either, which is why the woolshed is made of stones .. they've got lots of them ... :-) __ The Cordillo Downs Homestead and Woolshed, Cordillo Downs Station are listed together on the "Register of the National Estate":http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahdb/search.pl?mode=place_detail;place_id=5899 and the "SA State Heritage Register":http://www.heritage.gov.au/cgi-bin/ahpi/record.pl?SA10315 __ Cordilo Downs Station is in the far NE corner of South Australia on the track between Innamincka and Birdsville. When you go, and go you should, there's a beaut place to camp at "Cadelga Ruins":http://www.redbubble.com/people/jaykat/art/1879818-3-hallway-cadelga-ruins ~90 kms from the woolshed towards Birdsville. Oh... probably best to do it in a 4WD... and not at all if it's been raining ... :-)  Courtesy of RedBubble.

We continued on to Innamincka through the Sturt Stony Desert turned right toward Lyndhurst along the Strzelecki Track driving through the Strzelecki desert and and some new gas fields then the Moomba gas fields beyond Innamincka. We arrived at the Innamincka Pub at 4.30pm. Sadly, we had ran out of time to get out to the Burke and Wills Dig Tree near Innamincka. 

There were 5 young families in the Pub from Newcastle NSW who were making their way to the Birdsville races via Broken Hill and Innamincka. They were all towing caravans, mainly pop tops, and were asking about the condition of the road and which way to go. We confirmed that we were content with the route we had travelled, that is from Innamincka take the Strzelecki Track driving to the Cordillo Downs Rd, then at the end of this turn left and you will be in Birdsville. About a 6-7 hours drive. In our opinion the road was in pretty good condition albeit unsealed with some pot holes and large rocks in places. However, we encountered it dry, it would be another story if it was wet. We all enjoyed a drink or two in the Innamincka Pub with Kev feeding the juke box and dancing to some great 70's and 80's music. We were also lucky enough to purchase 2 more bottles of Zerella's Outback Loop Red which we enjoyed in Birdsville after we had crossed the Simpson Desert.

Above and below crossing the Diamantina River just east of Birdsville

Birdsville Race Course

Just SE of Birdsville we came across
a work camp setting up a new gas well.

All that was left of a pop top caravan!

Crossing back into SA

Above a sepia shot of  Cadelga Out Station and in colour below.

Signage to Cordillo Station/Innamincka and below its famous
wool shed and below that the homestead at Cordillo Station

Above outside and below inside the Innamincka Pub

A washed out tree root structure on the
Cooper Creek, Innamincka

Poepples Corner to Birdsville

We left Poepples Corner after lunch and moved on East to find the next Camp site, all based on time traveled and finding a suitable location. It was not long before we set up camp at the Gypcrete Interdunes, approximately 4.45pm. It was nice sheltered spot with considerable mulga fire wood left by others for our camp fire. Pyro Pete got the camp fire going early to ensure a good bed of coals were ready for tonight's roast meal. All mulga wood does this very well and its smoke is known also for its fly and other insect repellent qualities.

After the camp was set up Jarrod and Tim proceeded to prepare both lamb and pork for the roast. I prepared some potatoes, pumpkin and sweet potatoes for roasting on the coals in alfoil. Sorry again boys, I forgot the carrots wen I shopped!
Once the roast was on the coals in the camp ovens Jarrod and Tim prepared Jarrods' signature dish of damper to accompany the meal and of course some pepper gravy. Again a first class meal whilst camping out. 
The evenings discussions were about the next camp being at Big Red or could we make it to Birdsville? Given my travel arrangements, yes I felt guilty, it was decided though, we should endeavor to go through to Birdsville which made it 4 night camps and 5 days, with a drive time of 24 hours to cross the Simpsons Desert over approximately 438 kms from Dalhousie Springs to Birdsville.
In the morning we noted dingo and camel tracks through the camp. Then after a simple cereal and fruit breakfast we departed for Big Red at 9.40am. We made good progress over the typical sand dune followed by a clay pan then back to the next sand dune. The terrain continued this way for some time but was some what improving with a sign of more bird life and wild flowers.
Just before lunch we encountered Eyre Creek crossing which some 6 weeks earlier was closed  with a 10k detour each way. When we arrived, as advised further back along the track by a seasoned elderly and competent Simpson veteran we only had a 2.5 detour each way. The water in this area accounted for the increased bird life and wild flowers. In fact this area was an oasis in the desert.
Eyre Creek caused a bank up of vehicles so when we arrived at the first dune to the east of the creek there was a queue to attempt the climb to the east. This was complicated by one of the vehicles requiring  a tow out. Our turn soon arrived and we crossed without incident. We drove on to the east and after several dunes arrived at the base of "Big Red". It soon became evident that this was going to live up to its reputation, it stands up to 40mts high comprising soft deep red sand and unfortunately, photos and videos do not do its height justice. It certainly looks very large with 3 main tracks to be taken. Many signs advise not to create new tracks over "Big Red" and also advise that to the south there is a track of lesser height to cross the dune for those not able to get over here.
That was not for us and Tim said he wanted to drop me at the top so I could film both cars as they attempted their crossing. This occurred and then Tim went back down to ascend again.
This is also the site of the Big Red Bash, an outback event for all ages. Perhaps something that might be worthwhile coming back to?
The time had come and Tim ascended again successfully, but although the track was packing down the hard right turn at the top was becoming deeper with ruts in the soft sand. Next up Jarrod, as soon as he hit the ruts at the top RH turn it stopped him dead. Reversing all the way back down he had another go. On his 3rd attempt he made it to the top. Both drivers did it again and were quite proud rightfully of their success. We then descended the eastern side of Big Red for lunch and a well earned toast for crossing the Simpson Desert. Kevin  provided the red wine and tumblers for the occasion whilst I sincerely thanked Jarrod and Tim for having the courage to include their fathers on this expedition.
We then drove the remaining 40 ks into Birdsville on a mix of hard unsealed and sealed road. We entered the Birdsville Hotel at 3.40pm for drinks and another toast.
Following this we made it into the Caravan Park, booked our nights camp site, set up camp, showered and were soon back at the hotel for a great dinner of 3 X Baramundi and 1 by Pork. 
Cars, vans and camp trailers were moving in for the Birdsville Races to be held on the first Saturday in September. Another reason to return some time in the future.
To summarise the crossing was made in 4 night camps and 5 days, with a drive time of 24 hours to complete the Simpsons Desert over approximately 438 kms from Dalhousie Springs to Birdsville. The Mazda BT 50 used 113 lts and the Toyota Series 200, 125 lts averaging approximately 17-18 kms/hr.

Leaving the Gypcrete Interdunes campsite.

above and below some of the wild flowers appearing.

The landscape is greening up

Looking upstream at Eyre Creek

Above and below more of Eyre Creek

The renowned deep hole crossing at Eyre Creek

This crossing road entrance to Eyre Creek was blocked off.

Arriving at Big Red

At the top of Big Red

Wild flowers on top of Big Red

The father and son teams at the top of Big Red

Our Toast and lunch on the east side of Big Red

Entering Birdsville

The Citroen Bash cars outside the Birdsville Pub

Above and below entering the Birdsville pub

Inside the Birdsville pub

Birdsville Life Saving Club

Donate to the RFDS! They are your best
friend in the outback and give tirelessly
for your safety and well being.

The following includes one video of Jarrod in his Mazda BT 50 approaching a dune before Big Red. Following this there are videos of both vehicles ascending Big Red from the Western side and lastly both vehicles ascending Big Red from the Eastern side of Big Red.