TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE DAY 30 - CSR

11 July 2012

STAGE 3 CSR Day 9

KILLAGURRA GORGE, WEll 18 – Wanykiyu, ONEGUNYAH ROCKHOLE, WELL 19 – KUNANGURTITI (80km)

We knew before we set off that we had to face some tricky sand dunes today.

As we had missed it on the way in, we decided that our first stop would be Killagurra Gorge.

It was a peaceful spot with some water.

As we walked up into the gorge two tall Northern Red River Gums created a wow factor.

When we returned to the vehicles we found that the top of Oka 45’s jerry can had come loose. On investigation he had lost about half of the fuel in the can. So after cleaning it up we were on our way.

The morning could be called sand dune morning as we crossed one dune after another. Whilst the dunes are not the highest they are tricky because of the nature of the sand. It is extremely fine like powder snow.

We met a convoy of two vehicles going south. They very nicely pulled over into the scrub for us as the track is only as wide as a single vehicle.

Again the scenery was interesting. Imagine a bright blue sky, fluffy clouds, red earth, green vegetation. Colours so rich and contrasting.

It said it will take us about 2 hours to reach well 18. It was closer to 4 hours for us but we did have some stops along the way.

We lunched at the well as we needed a break by then and tyres were pumped back to 35.

Four kilometres on we turned off to the Onegunyah Rockhole in the Terrace Hills.  There was no water in the rockhole. Some faded aboriginal art was on the rock face across from the rockhole.

Then more sand dunes.

We stopped to have a look at a burnt out Prada along one dune that had multiple crests.

When we got over the final crest we had a glimpse of Lake Disappointment. Then somehow we missed the sign telling us that we had crossed into the Tropic of Capricorn.

Well 19 is also poorly marked as we nearly missed it.

Exhausted we started looking for a campsite past Well 19 and camped in the scrub for the night.