Mon, 1st Oct, 2018 Bush camp, Mt Stuart Station, Tibooburra, NSW to Cameron Corner Store, Qld (sightseeing)

Had the bed door down and when I opened it the lovely warm sunshine flowed in. No nasty cold wind this morning. The thermometer said 12 degrees but it soon climbed as the sun shone.

A light breeze picked up while we were having breakfast but it wasn’t cold.

Packed up and headed back into Tibooburra. Dropped our rubbish off at the rubbish tip, called ‘Outback Bunnings’. Steve had a look around for any treasures but they have had a recent burn off so nothing more to load into ‘Pat’.

Checked out the ‘Drive-In’ which was the site of two school buildings and the hospital in the past.

Chairs for those without cars!

Town much quieter today – bet there are a few sore heads after Saturday night rodeo. Topped up with fuel at the General Store and got some bore water for our showers.

Around to the Pioneer Park for a cuppa while I uploaded my completed blogs. A few sheep wandered past us.

Steve rang Rick to update him on the gold detecting. He was in Townsville helping Jakob sort out some furniture etc. I then rang Mum and Dad to see how they went in Millaa for the reunion. They had a great time but when they got back to Greg’s he got a call saying the hill behind Mum & Dad’s house was up in flames. Neighbours from down the road had been up spraying the bank etc with water but luckily it didn’t come down that far. It burnt all the rest of the hill though. So nice of them to help and then to look up Greg’s number to try and let him know. Mum’s Aunty Eadie’s granddaughter Melissa, her husband David and their daughter, Nina had arrived to catch up. They were having a lovely time looking a photos and admiring Mum’s paintings.

Texted Mike and Anne to update our detecting score.

The wind has picked up again whipping up the dust as we headed back out of town. Back through Mt Stuart Station again through all the quartz and ironstone/shale then onto open gibber stone plains for a while then into red sand dunes.

Across the grid into Waka Station and then across the wide Waka Claypan.

Further along we passed the shearing shed and shearer’s quarters for Waka Station which were beside the road while the homestead was situated further away from the road.

The track is going up and down the sand dunes.

Into Sturt National Park. The red sand dunes come down and stop on the edge of another big clay pan which is called Frome Swamp – very large area but it is dry at the moment.

Fort Grey Station is also restricted access.

Turned right down to the campground. Had lunch in the shade of a tree – funny how they put the picnic table well away from the BBQ shelters where there is no seating!!

7km return walk to see Charles Sturt’s blazed coolabah tree and the site of his forward camp ‘fort’ he erected in 1845. Will give that a miss in the heat of the day though the cool wind is still blowing well so it isn’t too bad.

Back out to the track and up and down the sand dunes.

Turned west so we are running parallel with the Qld-NSW border fence.

This last section of road is the worst so far for corrugations and bull dust holes. Arrived at the NSW-SA border fence. More information and a hut at this entrance to the Park.

Wandered along the fence heading south – poor dingo, bit smelly still.

Looking back into Queensland to the Store.

Through the fence into South Australia. Steve found a golf ball by the track.

Stopped at the Cameron Corner post for some photos.

My hand is in Queensland, Steve had one hand in South Australia and is an arm in New South Wales. Then me in the three states.

NSW/SA fence lines up.

The Qld vermin fence is well inside the actual border line. I think I read somewhere that NSW was taking too long to decide about the rabbit fence so Qld just got on with it but put it inside the border boundary. Fence curves around so it doesn’t actually reach the 3 state borders.

Read the bit about the original post – we didn’t go into the National Parks office so missed that.

There is actually 5 state corners spots.

One corner junction for SA, NSW & Vic which is on the Murray River. You need a boat but we were close to it when we reached Border Cliffs when we did the Murray River. I found some photos of it.

Around the track a bit then we crossed the grid back into Queensland.

Checked out the Cameron Corner Store. Now we know where the golf ball came from. Great sign on the tank. The memorial plaque for the chap who decided the Corner needed a store. Sandy Nall was an ex Vietnam Vet who came here to camp and decided to erect a store to provide provisions for the many travellers. It is very popular place for New Years Eve where revellers can welcome in the new year 3 times in each time zone. Fenn and Cheryl are now the owners and they receive their supplies from NSW and the telephone service is from South Australia – hence no Telstra signal here.

Inside we checked out the hundreds of camps. The chap suggested we camp in the bush camp spot as there was a rally group coming through. They are with the Burke Police & Community Outback Trek (OBT) starting from and finishing in Bourke, NSW but the people were from everywhere.

Great verse about the Hessian Bag.

Great photo of the Corner after the rain on 2010. Lovely and green.

Three clocks – daylight saving doesn’t start till next Sunday so it is only different in SA.

I asked about the golf – 9 holes or 3 holes, one in each state. We chose the three and collected our clubs and balls.

Set up camp in the ‘bush camping’ spot which can be here or anywhere over to the NSW fence line.

Our route for today. Oops - turn head sideways!

Had a cuppa then walked into South Australia to tee off. As we are only doing 3 holes we start at the first tee but hit towards the 3^rd hole. Jon – note the special attire for these golf courses.

Steve was good with the camera getting my ‘practice’ shots.

Nearly in Steve. I got the ball in the cup in 6 and so did Steve.

Walked back over the grid into Queensland then through the gate into New South Wales for the next tee – should have State signs on the holes. Can’t see the hole – behind the bush somewhere.

Par 3 – I got it in 6 but Steve had a disaster with 9.

Back through the fence into Queensland for the final tee.

Par 4 – the hole is over there somewhere.

I did it in 8 and Steve did better with a 6. There you go Jon another great place to play a round of golf.

Looking back to the Corner Store facilities.

More campers arriving along with the OBT group.

Had our drinks watching other campers set up for the night. Lots of families about because of the school holidays. Went for a walk to the other side where there are powered site and where the OBT group are camped.

Found some jade growing well.

Good use for old fence posts and the gas bottle has become a bird feeder.

Lovely old Chev makes a nice garden ornament.

The band started up in the ‘pub’ – choice of songs is good but they are bit off key.

We went for a walk back into SA to the Corner post again. Read all the stickers on the entrance gate.

Down the border fence to the main gate – it has a bend in it at the gate.

Into NSW – Steve pointed out a kangaroo has been going up and down the fence line.

Past the three tees of NSW and back through the gate in the Qld/NSW fence into Qld.

Looking back along the Qld/NSW fence as the sun is setting over in SA.

Back to camp for another sun setting photo over SA.

The band of cloud blocked the actual sunset which was 6.30pm Qld time.

Had dinner then played some Skipbo listening to the band playing and all the chatter from the OBT group. Warmer night, 9.30 25 degrees. Had a lovely hot, artesian water, shower then into bed. A nippy breeze had come up and straight in the bed side of the truck.