05-Aug-2006 -- My wife and I were planning an outback trip along the Ann Beadell Highway and I noticed that by detouring only 50km or so south from the abandoned townsite of Emu (in the Woomera Prohbited Area) along the track to Maralinga and then taking a short spur track (which leads to the salt lake situated 6km west of Observatory Hill), we could drive to within a few kilometres of this confluence point.

Accordingly I requested (and was granted) special permits to traverse the Emu-Maralinga track to this point and visit this isolated area, in addition to the usual permits required to travel the Ann Beadell Highway.

We camped overnight in the bush, planning to set out for the point first thing in the morning.

Before leaving the car on foot, we drove slowly along the track until my GPS receiver indicated a minimal distance to the confluence point.

Reaching the point itself required a 5km round-trip walk through light mulga scrub and low soft dunes, accompanied enthusiastically by Kieran (our chocolate labrador).

Due to the area's remoteness, being on my own and not knowing what lay ahead, I carried a first-aid pack in addition to water and food, and kept in touch every 15 minutes via UHF radio with Sarah-Jane who waited in the car. We also carried an HF radio in case of a serious emergency.