Sunday 4th July 2021
We started today with a bit of exercise at last. A swim in the Bedourie Aquatic Centre outdoor pool which is heated to about 26°C from the Artesian Bore. This was followed by a soak in the Artesian Spa (40°C). A beautiful way to start the day. Then some washing, a cleanup, some shopping and off on our next adventure.

We had a quick visit to the rodeo and watched a couple of rounds of Gymkhana – which was rounding up a calf around three posts in the shortest amount of time. A bit like swimming around a string of cans at a surf carnival. Just a different form of exercise and entertainment. It was very fast action.

Next was a long drive to the Diamantina National Park north east of Bedourie. It was a beautiful drive through barren, ever-changing countryside. The plains changed frequently from totally barren, to a few trees near the creeks, the road surface quickly changed from bitumen to a dirt track with ever-changing colours. Red, yellow and white dirt, and even pink at one stage. The view was amazing but I struggled to stay awake today and managed a snooze for a while. We saw a few animals along the way – a couple of cows and a few horses. We passed the Coorabulka Homestead which is about 150km from Bedourie, it is so in the middle of nowhere but they have their own airstrip and plane – maybe so they can go shopping in Birdsville, then another 50km to Springvale Homestead. David said it is a bit far away from everything. The landscape was so diverse and there was a myriad of creeks even though most of them were dry now you can always see where they are as there is more vegetation and trees there. David wasn’t expecting it to be so flat and desert like – he was hoping it was going to surprise him. It was a long drive but very scenic. It has been a lovely day and was good to ]get away from all the crowds. Apparently there was a 7km traffic jam of cars waiting to get in to Birdsville and there has been so much through traffic they have run out of petrol in Boulia and look like they will run out in Birdsville today. Some had to fill up at Bedourie at $1.92 per litre. Ouch yet again!

We were hoping to do a 90km loop drive through the National Park with a few things to see on the way but unfortunately the recent rains (32mm about 10 days ago in Bedourie) have closed the road, so it looks like our trip in here was to no avail. Oh well. We are staying in a lovely campsite on Gum Creek with its own corella to keep us company. It is booked out in here  sat gum Hole campsite which is amazing considering the drive we had got get here.

“Channel Country Byway Bore No 3 – a free flowing artesian bore which was sunk in the late 1890’s to provide a vital water supply for stock and early settlers. The steam engine on the site, which was used to drill the bore, was carried here in pieces on bullock drays and assembled on site.It was too costly to transport the steam engine back after the completion of drilling so it was left as it stands today. The water is too hot for use at the forehead and is channelled away to cool.”