11-Jun-2007 --

Ten 4WDers from two local clubs, left Adelaide on 25 May 2007 on a trip that would take us into the Simpson Desert, and to three unvisited Confluence Points. On 9 June, four of us, all Members of the Central Hills 4WD Club (based at Mt Barker, South Australia), departed Alice Springs, and travelled south

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Monday 11 June - Our journey today would take us to Oodnadatta then to Peake. Morning Tea was spent at the Pink Roadhouse then a tour of the town which appears to have undergone new building since our last visit. Leaving Oodnadatta we travelled along the William Creek Road. We met the lone cyclist from the day before chatted for a few minutes and travelled to Algebuckina where we had lunch. Rob led the afternoon trek on Peake Station where we were to find our third confluence point. Firstly we travelled along a new fence line and at the request of the manager, mapped it accurately with the GPS, which will enable the station maps to be brought up to date. Travelling slowly over the gibbered terrain, we recorded the way points marking significant landmarks. After the completion of the mapping it was time to look for our third and last confluence of the trip. This point was just over 1 km from the main track. Leaving the vehicles we once again had an easy trek to the point which was duly recorded and photographed - bold textS28/E136. Our next destination was the Old Telegraph Station to find a camping spot, stopping to collect firewood from a specified creek, on the way. We found a wonderful camp site the only people there. A very pleasant evening was spent around the campfire looking at the ruins of the historic site in the setting sun

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Tuesday 12 June - Another wonderful sunrise was viewed shining on the old buildings. After packing up our camp we walked to view old graves and then to the buildings of the telegraph station where we met a German woman tourist who was travelling in the outback on her own, and found that she had camped further along the creek. Stopping at William Creek Rob’s tyre was mended, had very welcome showers and lunch. At Beresford railway siding we checked a geocache planted by Ian in May 2006. A coincidence was discovered the cache had been found a couple of hours before by a Trackmaster caravan group who had pulled into the caravan park at William Creek while we were eating lunch. The convoy of ten were travelling east to west from Byron Bay to Monkey Mia. That night our campsite was on Borefield Road

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Wednesday 13 June - Travelled to Roxby Downs, filled with fuel and re-inflated the tyres. Proceeding on our journey south our lunch stop was at Lake Mary a beautiful spot for camping and relaxation. The GPS showed that the lake was shaped like a dolphin. Time was spent exploring and lunch was very pleasant listening to the waves lapping the shore, a strong contrast to our time spent in the red desert. Lake Mary is worth another visit and possible camp site. We camped about 3.30pm, 90kms north of Port August and enjoyed our last happy hour and dinner. This time we were prepared for a really cold night

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Thursday 14 June - Our last morning was our coldest for the trip with thick ice on the cars and tents. After stopping in Pt Augusta to refuel we journeyed to Crystal brook for morning tea and showers travelled on the Port Wakefield road to Adelaide. We had a wonderful trip exploring new areas enjoying new experiences

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