We are greeted in the morning with flies and rain in equal quantities. The Cooper is its usual deep brown, still , character. Plenty of terrestrial birds, a few waterbirds and it’s easy to spot a turtle. Frogs enjoying life in the basin in the local and much appreciated amenities. Interesting to note that some of the timeless eucalypt trees found here have seen the coming and goings of countless generations of humans.

We make our way over the creek to Windorah to fuel and then head south west for Birdsville. The rain inreases and while travelling on the bitumen is fine, it becomes a sticky slippery affair when on the gravel. Though this applies to only small sections as its now a well constructed gravel road.

Bustards and dingoes are seen along the way. The landscape is so pleasing to the eye, endless plains of grass rather than its typical gibber plain, bare but for a few trees with endless miles of pebble sized wind polished ironstone.

We reach Birdsville in the rain, plan B is to secure a cosy room at the caravan park and then settle in for dinner at the iconic Birdsville Hotel.