8 November 2016 - Thargomindah to Noccundra

It was overcast today, with the clouds inviting rain.  None eventuated during the trip, save for ten and three quarter spots on the windscreen as we neared Noccundra.  The trip was a mere 140km from Thargomindah through mulga country.  The customary flat countryside was with us again, until we reached Grey Range, elevation 190m. It was a change to drive the 50 or so kilometres through some topography.

081116 Self explanatory.  The range is a large elevated section
running north south for hundreds of kilometres,
 east of the Channel Country

081116 More flat country west of Thargomindah

From an occasional high spot on the road we could see the “vision splendid”, thousands of square kilometres of flat countryside as far as the eye could see.

081116 Between Thargomindah and the turnoff to
Noccundra - typically pale green

081116 More green

081116 From a rise in the road - a lot of flat country up ahead -
Channel Country

The land was showing the benefits of winter rain with touches of green and the yellow, white and green of wildflowers.  We must have passed 40 “Road subject to flooding.  Indicators show depth” signs, and we haven’t reached Cooper Creek yet.

This is predominantly cattle country.  We saw relatively few cattle, even though there are thousands roaming around the countryside.  They all look very healthy.

081116 One beast

081116 Or more beasts

We were fortunate to get a shot of a wedge-tailed eagle, which flew from the roadside as we approached.  Its mate was nearby but was airborne very quickly, too quickly for the camera anyway.

081116 Magnificent - a lucky shot.  These birds are huge!

We arrived at our destination, Noccundra, late morning.  It is 20km off the “main road” and comprises one hotel, three residents, three cats and two dogs.  It services the locals and transport drivers for the sheep, cattle and oil industries.  Why visit Noccundra?  It has fuel for sale.

9081116 Noccundra Town - all of it

10081116 Noccundra Hotel - our home for three nights

In the afternoon, we braved the heat and the flies and walked the 300m down to Naccowlah Waterhole, one of three large waterholes on the nearby Wilson River.

12081116 Noccundra Waterhole Wilson River

13081116 Noccundra Waterhole Wilson River

11081116 Noccundra Waterhole's resident pelican (damaged wing)

Noccundra is the meeting place for many road train drivers.  The rigs are huge and they cover huge distances.  We spent time with drivers of the rigs photographed and a lively time was had by all.  They had just brought 800 cattle over from Western Australia to be fattened, "just up the road" at Naryilco Station.

081116 Inside the named hotel

081116 The road-train drivers agree

081116 There are two road trains here.  Each one can carry
200-300 larger beasts or up to 600 weaners.  Get 900 metres
to a litre of diesel and carry 1200-1500 litres of fuel

We realized that Cameron Corner is 250km from Noccundra.  Will we go or won’t we?  It’s dirt all the way but…… it’s there! Will it be too hot?  Why wouldn’t you go, having driven 1360km to get here?  If we don’t go now will we ever come back?  There were the questions confronting us as this blog goes to publication.