Day 5 - Sturt Stony Desert to Simpson Desert - South Australia

Day 5 - We started off in South Australia into Sturts Stony Desert. We stopped at Cordillo Downs, which was the largest wool shed in the world and is now a cattle station and the Cadelga Ruin, which was an old house in the middle of the outback.

Historic Birdsville and its Hotel (pub) were next on the agenda. The population of Birdsville is 120. Birdsville Hotel, established in 1884 is possibly the most famous pub in all of the outback. We stop in for a pot before continuing on the Birdsville Line towards the Simpson Desert.

As you use UHF radio to converse to one another Greg made up call names for each of us. Mick was Big Bird, Larry was Bald Eagle, Natalie was Kookaburra and Greg Was Emu 1.

Forty kilometres out of Birdsville we came across Big Red (or Nappanerica) the largest sand dune in the southern hemisphere, some 90 metres above the desert. After proving our worthiness we decided to camp for the night just west of Big Red.

Here is a horse that we met on Sturt Stoney Desert.

She was mightly fond of Mick even giving him a nice kiss.

Emu 1.

Cordillo Downs, was the largest wool shed in the world.

Larry and Natalie.

Cadelga Ruins

Birdsville Outback Pub.

This we found in the Birdsville Pub. We tried to live by these words... Well for a couple of days at least.

On top of the first dune we came across on the Birdsville Line.

Mick and Greg going up Big Red.

Larry and Natalie's turn.