Two trips in June to Coongie Lakes, with the first closely following a rain band which delivered some reasonable falls to a number of outback areas. The Strzelecki Track had been closed for a few days prior, and I wondered if we would have a repeat of our 2013 trip, where we deviated for a day to Arkaroola, waiting for the Track to open. Fortunately it opened on the day of our departure from Adelaide, and we had no problems, although the Coongie Lakes track remained closed and there was no definite advice as to when it would open.

Arriving in Innamincka, we changed the itinerary and visited Camp LXV (The Dig Tree), and local attractions the next day.
That afternoon we received word from the National Parks Ranger the Coongie Lakes track was open, enabling us to visit next day!

A fortnight later and my second trip was with Bev and Don who had wanted to visit Coongie Lakes for the past 3 years! Flood waters in the Cooper Creek had inundated the track and on each occasion it was closed. This, the fourth attempt was successful, and we enjoyed a great day !
You can read Don's article on the trip by clicking this link.   

 

We have recollections of many happy visits, and their welcome and help particularly in the early days on our Birdsville trips was greatly appreciated. 

ABC Radio South Western Queensland has been running a
10-part series, in which outback Queensland couples share their romantic tales with the ABC.

John and Genevieve featured on a recent episode, and their story can be viewed by clicking this link.
They now run the Desert Sands Motel in Boulia.

It will be of a scene found in the far northern Flinders Ranges at the amazing Wilderness Sanctuary of Arkaroola.

Unlike most panoramas that are usually painted and viewed as from a high vantage point, this one will be painted and viewed as if the viewer is standing in an almost dry creek bed, surrounded by the beautiful Arkaroola hills and Gum trees.
It will also include the Arkaroola Flora and fauna.

The concept of viewing as if you are down in the scene has worked well with the 15 metre Ron's Creek painting (above)  that is also part of the Wilpena Panorama complex.

The three existing sections and the new 360 degrees panorama will be all connected so that the viewer can walk from one to the next to increase the pleasure of the  experience .

Geothermal exploration and development company Geodynamics has entered into an agreement with Beach Energy for the sale of its Habanero logistics and operational support base located near Innamincka, South Australia, for a total consideration of $1.5 M.

 

 

 

Beach will acquire camp accommodation, operating support facilities for drilling, and associated equipment suited to its current field activities.

 

 

Geodynamics will retain ownership and responsibility for all geothermal permits associated with its Innamincka granite resource, and ownership and responsibility for geothermal wells, brine pipelines and geothermal facilities, including its

1 MWe Habanero pilot plant.

 

The agreement could see geothermal energy used to power gas and oil development in central Australia and Geodynamics will also look at using CO2 emitted during the gas production process as a heat transfer fluid in the geothermal process.  

 

There is potential for significant energy efficiency, cost benefits and carbon emission reductions through the integrated development of the geothermal resource and a future gas development.  

                        (2 days)  

                               $700pp

    

    

   

Gilbert Valley, Terowie, Peterborough (overnight and we visit Steamtown's  Laser Light Show), Franklyn, Ketchowla, Dares Hill, Mt Bryan, Clare Valley.

 

                    (9 days)

                    $3750pp 

 

Thanks for your continued interest in Desert Sky Tours