April 21 William Creek heading for Oodnadatta
The next morning, we considered driving the 70 odd Km out to Halligan Bay, a large bay in the north-western corner of Kati Thanda (Lake Eyre) but the pilots who run flights from William Creek said we wouldn’t see any water at all from there. So given we had a bit of a deadline, we decided against it - but one day I’d like to take a flight out over the Lake, it is a pretty special area. Maybe for my 77 or 80th?
Back on the road we headed to Oodnadatta
All that remains of the Algebuckina siding. Some of it looked like it was hanging on by a thread in places. The land here is privately owner but the site in managed by the Arabana people. As arid and rocky as this place appeared I saw quite a few plants: Rock fuchsia bushes with their delicate purple flowers (Eremophila freelingii), Buttercup pigface (Portulaca), Yellow Rattlepod, wattles and daisies.
The Neales (Nuppamurra) River at Algebuckina is huge and floods regularly hence the height of the railway bridge which of course is long longer used. A few years ago, we walked partway out onto the bridge; it’s an amazing piece of engineering. So much water, it was a bird haven but was also teaming with mozzies so we didn’t linger too long. There’s a huge floodway over the river back out on the Track and the water was almost lapping at its edges.
Ignore these Road Restriction signs at your peril. Dare to drive on the road if the section is closed or restricted and you cop fines of 1000s of dollars. We turned right here but in the past we have travelled to Coober Pedy from here through some pretty breathtaking scenery.
