Outback #1 Longreach to Birdsville

We started our outback trip in Longreach where we joined Pete and Mary who had kindly offered to take us with them on their vehicle.  Longreach, known as the gateway to the "outback", is on on the Tropic of Capricorn and more than a thousand kilometres from Brisbane.

Longreach from the air. Pop: approx 3,700

At Ifracombe, near Longreach, we came across part of Tom Brinkworth's 18,000 head of cattle being moved by foot to Hay in NSW - a distance of 1500 km. (See http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/livestock/cattle-beef/droving-18000-head-on-kidman-trails/2659853.aspx)

Herd of cattle near Ilfracombe.

All ready to begin our journey.

From Longreach to Birdsville, we crossed the flat Channel country, over a series of waterholes and dry creeks that make up the Barcoo and Thompson Rivers, the so-called rivers that flow into the equally dry Cooper's Creek.

The dry Barcoo River.

We stopped at Windorah and "camped" at a lookout near Betoota (population zero) before reaching Birdsville. We nicknamed the lookout Windy Hill for obvious reason. Nonetheless, the view was fantastic.

View of the channel country from a "jump-up" (sandhill) near Stonehenge.

 

Cooper's Creek crossing at Windorah.

Our "Windy Hill" stop. We slept under the shelter; the caravan belonged to another travelling couple.

A view from "Windy Hill" near Betoota.

The abandoned Betoota pub, the only building at Betoota.

Click here for more photos (Longreach to Birdsville)