On the way along to Kingoonya we used a convenient water supply to have a hot shower, then stopped for refreshments at the Kingoonya pub, a friendly place, then via Glendambo through Roxby Downs and Olympic Dam to the Oodnadatta track, east to Marree, then up the Birdsville track to Birdsville. We were quite surprised to find water at Clayton (the Clayton Wetlands), and the good facilities (including an outdoor spa) provided by the station owners. Had a cider at Mungerannie during a sand storm, but continued driving north. Stopped for a vehicle with two flat tyres and took one with us to Birdsville to be repaired, and the RACQ delivered it back to them - 60 km down the track. Birdsville was another good place for bird watching (what else would you expect from the name).

Went east to Windorah where there is a new solar power plant being installed, and then camped on the banks of the famous Coopers Creek (it was so good we stopped two nights). Then it was down to Quilpie, Eromanga, and Innaminka. We couldn't believe the map which claimed there was petrol available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Eromanga - but the fact there is a diesel refinery there explained all. The story goes that this diesel refinery is such a simple process to convert oil out of the ground into diesel that the original owner bought it on his credit card from the USA. Motorists fill up out on the highway, then drive round to the office to pay. Some of the blokes there recommended we stop at the pub, so we did. They weren't doing meals, but gave us the run of their kitchen to cook our own food from the vehicle. This pub is the furthest pub from any shoreline of Australia.. The next night we camped overnight at the 'Dig Tree' site.

A convenient water supply for our hot shower.

This was a friendly place to stop for a snack and drink.

Lake Harry ruin - a hard place to make a living. (Birdsville Track)

The spa at Clayton Wetlands. (Birdsville Track)

And their shower and other facilities.

Elli in the Mungerannie pub.

Sand storm - must have been close to 80kmph winds, and 100⁰ fahrenheight in the shade.

Birdsville Caravan Park.

Windorah solar project - more here.

House Martin nests under the bridge.

Actively gathering mud for nest building.

This Black Kite had just caught a big fish out of Coopers Creek.

It was a popular swimming hole for Windorah residents.

You can just make out the eye of this Magpie Lark in her mud nest, right above our heads.

Big trees along the banks of the river.

A lot of these oil rigs between Quilpie and Innaminka.

The "service station" on the main road at Eromanga.

And follow the signs to the office.

Inside the office (they do have closed circuit TV watching the petrol pumps). 

Eromanga pub, built in 1885, still has some of the original mud brick walls.

Pub kitchen.

Camped near the Dig Tree.

Hobart to Googs     Innaminka to Murray River