04-Apr-2007 -- After successfully completing our first confluence for the day, S35 S140, it was time to head east for our next confluence, S35 E141. We had a very pleasant drive through the back roads, passing through many small towns along the way, which only consisted of a couple of houses and the very important Grain Silos. Part of this enjoyable drive took us on the 4 wheel drive track through the Peebinga Conservation Park, where we stopped for our lunch break.

After reading Graham’s report from when he first logged this confluence in 2001, I was sure that he would have taken Three Mile Road, and then after crossing into Victoria, head due north, before taking the old track towards the Confluence. As we headed north up the old track in Victoria, there was a lot of native and feral wildlife encountered along the way, which consisted of 2 large groups of Emus, lots of Kangaroos and a large group of feral goats. This track was in good condition, with a few soft sand patches along the way. So far things were all going to plan and we should be at the next confluence within about a quarter of an hour.

All this was to change instantly when we turned right for the very old track towards the confluence. The condition of this track has changed greatly in 6 years and in fifteen minutes of slowly squeezing our way up this very overgrown track and having to stop constantly to remove fallen timber from the track, we had only covered just over 200 metres, with still over 2 kilometres to go. The slow pace of travel was not the problem, but the damage to our vehicle was becoming a greater concern. The track was covered in a lot of fallen timber, and many of the Mallee trees had grown over the track and were constantly scraping the sides of our vehicle. There was no way that we would give up so close to this confluence, so in a suitable clearing, turned our car around and set off on foot for the 2 kilometre walk to reach the confluence.

As all people that venture out into nature will testify, you get to hear, see and smell nature at its very best when you are on foot, and this walk was no different. The soft sand did greatly slow our pace of travel, but the scenery and wildlife was great, with many kangaroos sited, as well as hearing all the various bird calls in the area, as well as the smell of the Mallee. One plant that was great to see in this area, were the large Spinifex rings, which seemed out of place, and should be in the Desert areas further north, like those that we have seen many times in the Simpson Desert. The further we headed east, it was clear that this track has not had a motor vehicle of any kind for many years, with the only vehicles that could safely pass through this area would be motor bikes. After arriving at my pre determined point to leave the track and head into the Mallee, it was a very easy 200 metre walk to find the confluence.

After the usual confluence dance, and photos in hand, it was time to head back to our waiting vehicle left in the scrub and head back to Renmark, knowing that we had successfully completed 2 confluences in the same day.