Early camp
N 23°19'43.3" E 148°47'06.9"
Day: 235 Stage three / total expedition days 626
Sunset:
18:56
As the crow flies:
5
Daily kilometers:
7
Total kilometers:
6594 km
Temperature - Day (maximum):
37° degrees, sun approx. 57°
Temperature - day (minimum):
22° degrees
Latitude:
23°19'43.3"
Longitude:
148°47'06.9"
Cooroora Camp – 06.01.2003
Due to the excitement of yesterday and a restless sleep, we ignore the alarm on our wristwatches. That’s the reason why we set off an hour later than usual. On the southern side of the track, a few flames are still flickering upwards in some places. A few fallen tree trunks, branches and stumps are smoking away. White ash lies like snow on the blackened earth. Trees and bushes have left their outlines behind. The early sun bathes the land in a pale light. It looks impressive, spooky. On the northern side of the track, green buffalo grass stretches out into the distance. Cattle graze peacefully side by side. We are in good spirits and are taking strong steps forward. Suddenly one of the small four-wheel drive vehicles comes towards us. The jackeroo is quite surprised to see a camel caravan here. “Where do you come from?” he asks with a curious laugh. “From Perth,” I reply. “From Perth?” he asks, scratching his head in disbelief, whereupon we tell him about our expedition. Brett shakes his head. “That’s a huge distance,” he says in amazement. We say goodbye to him again and continue our march. Just a few kilometers further on, a whole group of jileroos and jackeroos are waiting for us. They are equipped with film and photo cameras. I lead Sebastian straight to her to say hello and introduce ourselves.
We liked the people at this station from the very first moment. Ian, the station manager, explains to me that we are unlikely to come across an inhabited homestead in the next two days. “Oh, that’s a shame. I’ll have to write up our story by tomorrow at the latest. Apart from that, we have a lot to arrange for our arrival in Rockhampton,’ I say, wondering how we can do that without a phone. Tanja and I agree after a brief conversation. Although we have only covered seven kilometers today, we ask Ian and his wife Rona if we can set up camp here for a few days. “But of course. We’d be delighted,” they reply, whereupon we lead the camels to the homestead.
Within a short time, the equipment is unloaded and loaded onto a ute. We are delighted to move into a house with a toilet, a bathroom, a kitchen, three bedrooms, an office corner and a living room. It is the perfect base for us to prepare for the last stage to Rockhampton.
