Day 5 Mungaerannie

Pete trying to tackle a massive hill. He did not make it

Tenere - Accept no substitute

Cooper Creek Ferry

Cooper Creek

Camp site just behind the lake. 

Great looking bird. Anyone know what it is?

Tree full of wedge tail eagles.

Hot water bore

Petrol is expensive up here.

Day 5 Mungerannie Roadhouse

We had howling wind last night at Marree. Neither of us pegged our tents down, so it was the weight in the tent keeping them on their spot. It is really hot up here. Yesterday in the Mungarieanne area it reached 43 degrees. 

We left Marree at 9am and had a good run up. About half way we detoured off the Birdsville track and headed for the Cooper Creek ferry. It was amazing seeing so much flowing water in the middle of nowhere. We donged on our life jackets (OH&S reg) and took the 2-3 min ride. Apart from last year, the ferry had not been used for about 20 years. 

After getting off the ferry, we had to get back to the main road which was 14km's of sandy rd. I had a ball as the adventure training kicked in but the worst is yet to come. 

Birdsville track is very rough in places. I  thought at one stage all my fillings would come out. We agreed to keep the speed down to between 80-90 and so far so good. (Pete is the one speeding)

We arrived around 1pm and called it a day. I drank 2.2 ltrs of water on the way up, it is just that hot. Chatting with Phil, the publican, and he mentioned that all the cattle stations are mustering at the moment. In a few weeks or so when this is done, most ppl move out and have a caretaker look after the stations for 6 months as nothing happens due to heat. Apparantly during the hot season (ie starting now) the Mungarieanne staff are lucky to see another person in days. The tourist season has lasted a little longer this yr, probably due to the unseasonal water up here and an increase in media. I think some locals are just wanting the tourist season to end. They have had a very busy 6 months 24/7.  

Keith Rasheed - the station owner who turned Wilpena Pound into what it is now is a legend in these parts. Within the Mungarrannie pub is a painting of 7 great outback pioneers and Keith is one if them. He has graced the Mungarrannie Pub for the first time, staying the night with the ex SA Toursism minister. Hopefully get some stories from them.    

Next to the pub is an artisian bore and as a result a medium sized lake. It is just amazing seeing all the wild life. Birds everywhere. Seeing a tree with 10 Wedge Tail eagles and then seeing another +5 big trees with the same number of eagles is just breath taking. Look up and +50 birds doing circle work. 

Add water = life!!