Day 8 Boggy Hole to Kings Creek Station

Day 8

28th July

Boggy Hole drive day 2 -215km

This second day of 4WD ing was just as interesting as the first.

Instead of the large water crossings, we had a really interesting rock crossing, which Trevor managed pretty well.

We were treated to many vistas of red rocky outcrops and water holes.

Many of the river red gums have collected numerous branches and bark as they have flowed down the creek in wetter times. I think I should write a kids story about the trees who went out collecting firewood, as this is what it reminded me of.

We stopped beside a quiet pool for our lunch break. The red cliff above reflected in the still water, and Trevor lobbed in pebbles with a satisfying splosh.

The changes from red sand track between closely growing bushes to pebbly creek bed, to navigating across tricky rock passes, where choices of placement were crucial, and then soft sandy areas kept us wide awake.

Eventually we passed over the last tricky rocky crossover and were on our way out of the park.

As we drove , we saw a butterfly chasing a bird... I wonder what the story is there???

We decided to detour via Illamurta Springs, but couldn't actually locate the springs near the ruins of the old police station where they used to provide supplies for the local aboriginal people.

Then out the last 20 or so km of dirt to the Ernest Giles road and the last hour and a bit to Kings Creek station, where we had agreed to meet our buddies. As we drove this part of the track we saw what I called gonk trees. Trevor thinks their shape is the result of fire, I think they are just young versions of the larger trees which have more spreading branches. These seem to be one trunk with twigs of drooping needle-like leaves straight out from it, causing them to look like the furry gonk figures that I remember from my childhood. I think they may be Desert Oaks. We later confirmed this is so

In some ways we were sorry to not be camping another night on the Boggy Hole track. It was certainly a beautiful area, and great to have picturesque camping, good company and no noisy neighbours.

In comparison, the night at Kings Creek Station was noisy (especially with a bus deciding to start up and idle at 1.30am for quite some time, before eventually driving out!!)