Sat, 12th May, 2018 Desert Queen Baths, Rudall River National Park to Bush camp near Lake Dora, WA

7am 16.3 degrees, cold wind and clear sky.

Headed back out the 18km slow crawl back. Didn’t see any camels in this area of the national park. Halfway out, we heard someone on the UHF then a bit later a 4WD came around a bend. We pulled off to let him pass and he said there were 3 more behind him. Chatted with the last chap – he was driving a Nissan Patrol like ours but with a big aluminium canopy on the back. They are from Maryborough and knew of Erica's cousin, John Meyers and said he knew David too. Glad we met them in the open section as the next bit was the narrow shrub-lined track with no room to pull off.

The wind is bringing in high wispy clouds. Back onto the track and out of the national park -  heading north towards Telfer Mining Centre.

Past a big red open clay pan area then further along we stopped at a mining sign and a road leading off to the left back to that clay pan. We don’t think they are actually using this road for hauling anymore but all the signage is still here.

We turned off later on and checked out another hand pump – put in by the mining company and still working well.

Next we entered a long sandy section that really looks like a creek bed. The couples towing their Tvans had mentioned this section so this time we were prepared. It goes across a creek bed then turns to get out of it making it a bit tricky. I videoed it. Definitely don’t think the mining company is using this road now. There are 5km call up signs but we haven’t bothered.

Another long sandy section then out into the hills again. Onto flat ground running beside them.

Long detour around very eroded section.

Another detour up onto higher ground and the eroded track over a rise and onto better ground for a while. Up and over a few hills then down into Coolbro Creek for a cuppa. Steve found a fishing rod but unfortunately the creek is dry.

Obviously a popular spot as the drum is full of rubbish – what a shame as nobody is going to come and empty it!!

Walked over the sand to check out the creek. Someone has built a good BBQ down there.

Steve found some more of those ‘tomatoes’ and opened one – lots of seeds. Looks more like a melon on the outside.

The wind is still blowing strongly. Crossed the creek.

Up onto flat wide area with ironstone corrugations. Round a big wide hill this is marked on the map as ‘Moses Chair’. Doesn’t look like anything from the south side but as we went around I could see a valley with the rolling sides so it could look like a big overstuffed armchair but I couldn’t get a photo.

Recent camel hoof marks on this very sandy section so they are out here somewhere. A few low sand ridges on our right.

The soft track continued but had ironstone rocks now – we are well below ground level.

The track rose up out of the ‘creek’ just before Christmas Pool appeared on the Hema but we didn’t try and find it as the others said they did and didn’t succeed.

Passed a turn off heading south-east which had a big water container as a sign ‘Maroochydore – 35km’. On our map that track goes to an Exploration Camp – wonder if it still is.

More hills appear of the Patterson Range.

Lots of lovely yellow blooms along the track.

Got phone reception 15km from the mine centre. Lots of texts from Facebook!! We turned onto an old haul road and pulled over to have some lunch. We heard from the ones coming down that you need an escort to go onto the new haul road which has taken over the original track. Nobody here to escort us! Rang Mum and Dad to let them know we were safe and having a ball. Very windy here.

A chap from Narrogin pulled up on his motorbike. He is doing the CSR alone as his mate pulled out at the last moment and so far he has been fine. He rides in the middle of the track rather than where the vehicles go. Doesn’t think too much of the dehydrated meals he has though!! As we were chatting we spotted a dingo running down the road towards us then he thought better of it and headed off the other way.

I left them chatting and uploaded the days I have got ready onto my blog. He headed off as he is doing the rest of the CSR then heading back home via the Gibb River Road. A few more vehicles heading south passed us but didn’t bother to stop and chat – some people are different. We would have wanted to stop and ask how the track was etc, considering this is the bypass. A couple of vehicles were towing off-road vans so they aren’t doing the CSR.

Rang Jon and Dan to let them know what fun we have and all the great videos we have for them to watch of their father going over the dunes!! Gave Erica and Terry a call too – will have fun comparing photos when we catch up with them in July. Chatted with other friends and sent off texts advising others of where we are. Steve found me a nice crystal for Mother’s Day tomorrow – he remembered, my boys didn’t! Also an interesting rock with green rock on it – he thought it was paint but it didn’t come off.

Headed along the haul road towards Telfer Mining Centre listening to the drivers talking on the UHF.

Very dusty with the strong wind blowing.

Down to the T-intersection – guess we turn left.

Onto the flat mine road to the security gate. The chap gave us a wave and on we went.

Turned off to head back to the Canning Stock Route via the Punmu Road – nice and smooth.

Flat open country, recently burnt.

Running parallel with low sand ridges. Over to the right we can see the north side of Telfer Mining Centre – big area. A few dead cars on the roadside.

Over a crest we have a great view of a sand ridge going east. The length of the ridges is amazing – they go for kilometres.

Two dingoes were running down the road but disappeared quickly as we got closer. This is a much easier way over a sand ridge.

Frightened two bustards out of the bush as we zoomed along. I worked out we are doing an extra 350km due to the floodwater as we had intended to into Rudall River NP anycase but for others it would mean 500km and the extra days.

Zoomed along till we reentered the north west side of Rudall River NP and the northern edge of Lake Dora that the Rudall River flows into – when it flows. Pulled into an open area where another van has pulled up. Too open here for us with the wind gusting about and we are parked on the salt. Nice view though.

We drove back a bit to an old windmill, still going around but not pumping anything and drove up onto a clearing on top of a ridge. The wind is whipping up the clouds.

Set up camp and got a fire going to heat our shower water then enjoyed the sunset.

Lake Dora covers a big area. We are about 30km from Punmu Community so will call in there in the morning for fuel – he does a good deal for cash we hear.

Where we have traveled today.