An Australian couple travelling in Europe (2013+) in a motorhome (Bluey), exploring Australia in a caravan (2009-22) and a self built Isuzu expedition 4 x 4 motorhome (Buster) 2023+
After our morning coffee we ventured up to have a look at the Innamincka pub and Trading Post. We decided to top up with a bit of fuel as it’s 367km to Thargomindah and we may have a few detours. We had thought to explore a bit more but unfortunately due to the recent floods we couldn’t drive out to any of the interesting spots.
So we made our way out of town and crossed back over the border into Queensland once again. We could see the effects of the flood along the way… the dry gibber plains in contrast to lush green valleys.
As we crossed the river the evidence of the force of nature could be seen by the bits of bitumen scattered on the banks.
We turned off the Innamincka Road near Nappa Merrie and drove along a gravel track to the Burke and Wills Dig Tree. It is an iconic Coolibah tree on the banks of Cooper Creek and a living monument to the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition of 1860-61. The tree marks the site where the expedition's supply party, led by Ludwig Brahe, waited for the explorers to return from their attempt to cross the continent. When Brahe departed, Burke, Wills, and King returned to the site 9 hours later, finding the camp abandoned and carving "DIG" into the tree to indicate that they had buried provisions there. The tree is in the remote Dig Tree Reserve and requires a conservation fee of $20 per vehicle but then you can stay and camp here for no extra cost. The site had been under 4m of water in March 2025 and the road access has just been graded 2 weeks ago by the caretaker. There are plenty of individual sites along the river to choose from and we happily settled into one of them. We walked back up to these fascinating historical trees that were used numerous times for carvings since 1860, 165 years ago. These tress were already 100years old back then. We read all of the information boards near the trees and in the shelter at the entrance to the park.
And so our day ends on the banks of Cooper Creek …
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 piefor 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.
