Cordillo Downs Rd, South Australia

We had a long drive today travelling 421km from Birdsville to Innamincka along the Cordillo Downs Road.

After filling up with water from one of the many water points found in The Common, we went to get a pie for breakfast from the Birdsville bakery..

Not too bad but expensive

On our way out of town we drive into have a look at one of Burke and Wills campsites #76 on their way back from The Gulf of Carpentaria in 1861.

It appears this is the trainers camp..

We used the dump point. 

Then had a look at the racecourse.

From here we headed east along the Development Road stopping for a cuppa Durrie Rest Area. 

There was a bit of traffic heading west to Birdsville including horses.. 

We turn off onto the Cordillo Downs Road to Innamincka. 

It’s not a bad track up to the South Australian border.

After that it becomes a bit more challenging with rocky and sandy sections.

10km later we stop to have a look at the Cadelga Ruins. Built from stone and timber, the ruins sit on the northern side of the Cadelga Waterhole. Originally known as Cadelgo Downs, the holding was taken up in 1877 by Robert Frew of Cunnamulla.  In 1903, Cadelgo Downs was taken over by Cordillo Downs and due to drought and depression, the station was completely abandoned between 1931 and 1936.  By 1950 the Cadelga Outstation was no longer required and fell into disrepair.

From here it’s another 88km to the Cordillo Downs station and the historic shearing shed. Built in 1883, it once housed 120 stands to shear up to 85,000 sheep. At 60 metres long, 13 metres wide and 136 years old, it is the biggest of its kind in the world and a reminder of when Australia's economy rode on the sheep's back. It is considered unique in Australia because of its extensive buttressing, curved roof, architectural design as well as its size.

We pull out at 2pm and it takes us 3 1/4 hours to travel the remainder 177km to Innamincka, arriving there at 5:15pm.

The campsites along Cooper Creek have not been reinstated and so we find ourselves a spot in the temporary Commons area, get dinner on and a pour ourselves a drink.