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SEE TRACK INFORMATION

EXPLORING THE STRZELECKI TRACK.

In the early 1950's the stock route called the Strzelecki Track became less and less popular as a droving route with cattle being transported by truck. Navigating the sand ridges became too hard and a few years later the only mail service was discontinued and Innamincka was practically abandoned in 1952.
With the discovery of gas at Gidgealpa, west of Innamincka in 1963, rebuilding of the town as a service centre for the gas fields began. It is now a very popular tourist and 4WD drive destination and the northern end of the track with several other tracks leading from the town. The revival of the area led to the upgrading and more regular maintenace alongthe track which had fallen badly into disrepair.
We will begin this synopsis of the track from the south at Lyndhurst.
You will need to carry extra supplies of food, water, petrol and some basic spares for the tripand Leigh Creek, to the south, or Lyndhurst have supplies for travellers.
Take the road east and you are on the Strzelecki Track. The first 200km or so is normal outback country with a turn-off to Calcutta Outstation, Mt Freeling and the Mt Freeling Talc Mine area at the 80km mark.
A detour to the mines finds a maze of tracks across the mine area which can become confusing andthere is not much left of the mines to see.
You can continue east through Moolawatana Homestead joining the road from Arkaroola and the Gammon Ranges from the south to rejoin the 'Track' at Mt Hopeless. This road from its origin at Leigh Creek offersan alternative and more scenic route to the Strzelecki Track passing through the two National Parks eastwards through Nebabunna to Moolawata.
Bypassing the Mt Freeling detour, continue east 30km on the Strzelecki to the Dingo Fence around100 km from Lyndhurst.
This is the longest fence in the world with a length almost twice that of the Great Wall of China. It was constructed to keep wild dingos north of the fence separated from the sheep areas to the south. It runs from Western Australia into Central Queensland, right across South Australia. Regular maintenance is carried out to ensure it is intactand, simple as it is with wire stretched between posts, it has been very effective.
Around 20 kilometers north of the Dingo fence is a turnoff to Murnpeowie, which is 10 or so kilometers off to the west.
About 50 kilometers from the Dingo Fence, past the turn-off to Murnpeowie Homestead, the track crosses the George Creek which drains into Lake Blanche to the north east, and the turnoff to the Blanchewater Homestead ruins.
Another 40 km is the junction of the road to Moolawatana and Arkaroola. mentioned earlier as a detour.before the road enters the Strzelecki Regional Reserve some 20km further on. The Montecollina Bore on the Strzelecki Creek is a little way into the park and a good camping spot. Birdlife here at the permanent waterhole is prolific.
At the centre os the park, another 50km north is an area known locally as The Cobbler Desert, and a track west leads a couple of kilometers to Yaningurie Waterhole on the Strzelecki Creek whichis a catchment area for Lake Blanche after rains. Yaningurie Waterhole usually has water and attracts birds and native animals. Camping is allowed.
Just north of Yaningurie Waterhole is the Strzelecki Crossing where the road crosses the Strzelecki Creek.
Another 44km north, past Mundibarcooloo Waterhole, a road leads east 10 kilometers to the Merty Merty Homestead and the junction with the Old Strzelecki Track which rejoins the StrzeleckiTrack 40km east of Moomba. The roadsouth leads to Cameron Corner and The Sturt National Park at the junction of the New South Wales, Queensland andSouth Australian borders. A popular destination for New Years Eve revellers who get three New Years with Queenslandnot on Daylight Saving and South Australia 30 mimutes behind New South Wales.
Heading north along the Strzelecki Track Moomba is 50km. The oil and gas plants of Big Lake Gas Field and Moomba Gas Field are operated by Santos and there is a viewing platform on the Strzelecki track to view the giant operation. Visitors are not welcome at Moomba although emergency medical help is available.
Just past the Viewing Platform the track forks and you should take the main track to the right almost due east for 58km past the Delta Oil Field, then north on Dillons Hwy into Innamincka.
Aternatively you can take the 15 Mile Track or Bonython Rd north, then east onto the Walkers Crossing Rd and enter Innamincka from the west. To do this continue north 7km from the viewing platform across the plains and turn left at the junction. Continuing north there is a junction about 31 kilometers from the viewing platform where the Walkers Crossing Track leads to the left.

This is the track from Innaminka to Birdsville and joins the Birdsville Track just south of the Koonchera Dune and Page Family Grave some 160km from this junction. This road is recommended for 4WD only.
Continue past this junction onto the eastern section of the Walkers Crossing Track, and still almost due north when the road will swings gently eastwards into the Innamincka Regional Reserve, it again turns northwards then east and some 15km from the reserve entrance there is a track heading north about 5km to the banks of Cooper Creek where Burke & Wills actually perished on theirill-fated expedition.

To visit the Burke and Wills Memorial you turn east for some 45km from Innamincka into Queensland and follow the signs to to Cooper Creek and the memorial.

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AREA INFORMATION