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The Bush Telegraph, Issue #021 - More floodings
September 28, 2010

More Outback Flooding

G'day,

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The Bush Telegraph is the newsletter of Rita's Australian Outback Guide. Don't miss

  • New pages on Rita's Outback Guide
  • Festivals and events in the Outback. If you're planning a trip, don't miss this great opportunity to include an unique Outback event to your itinerary!
  • Breaking news from the Australian Outback and Australia as they happen
  • Interesting questions and tips by the Outback Guide readers



Mount Ive station
Rain at Mount Ive station


A lot has been happening since the last newsletter. My apologies for the irregular delivery of the Bush Telegraph this year.

When I think of the Australian Outback right now, Tom Jones' evergreen always comes to my mind "The green, green grass of home". Many regions in northern South Australia, western New South Wales and the southwest of Queensland have received more than average rain, resulting in major floodings. The major rain events started early this year and continued. Every couple of weeks heavy rain in one of the Outback regions resulted in road closures for a few days. New weather statistics have to be written, the wettest month, the coldest month, the news are changing frequently.

Despite flood damage in many towns, folks in the inland are mostly happy about the much needed rain. Rain and floods mean new life for the parched land.

* Outback News *

Lake Eyre

Water is flowing into Lake Eyre again. This year's water event is bigger than the one in 2009. Marree and William Creek, the two tiny towns on the Oodnadatta Track, have been very busy during the past months. Travellers come in huge numbers for a flight over Australia's largest, usually bone-dry, salt lake.
In August about 80 travellers where stranded in William Creek after heavy rain cut the roads in the area.

Birdsville Track

In June Cooper Creek cut the Birdsville Track for the first time in 20 years. Major floodings in Queensland earlier this year made the Channel Country come alive with creeks and rivers flowing. The causeway in Innamincka was closed for weeks.
Slowly but steadily, the Cooper made its way towards Lake Eyre. Before reaching the lake, Cooper Creek crossed the Birdville Track, and is still flowing over the track.
Travellers driving from Marree to Birdsville have to use the detour on Etadunna station to reach the punt. There is no other way. Of course, the ferry operating for the first time after 20 years, is a major attraction for Outback travellers.
But the wild weather had more in store for the Outback.

Birdsville races cancelled

The famous Birdsville races also suffered from the weather this year. People in Birdsville had been worried how race visitors from the south would reach the tiny town. The ferry on the Birdsville track can only carry one vehicle at a time, so travellers to Birdsville certainly needed some patience.

The race program was already in full swing when a heavy downpour on Friday night drowned the racecourse, and the roads in the area. At first, the main races, which run on Saturday, were postponed to the following Tuesday. But the racecourse was still soaked, so finally, the Birdsville Cup races were cancelled. This was the first time the races were cancelled due to rain. Thousands of travellers were stuck in town for a couple of days. Click here to see some photos

Malcolm Douglas died in car crash

I was very sad to read that another true Australian bushman has passed away. Malcom Douglas' wildlife documentaries were my favourites and raised my love for Australia and the Outback in early the 1990s. Read more.

* New pages and reader's submissions on the Outback Guide *

There have been some interesting questions and stories submitted by Outback Guide readers. Thanks everyone for your contributions. Townsville to Alice and back to Sydney - I wonder if Patrycja already finished her trip across Australia on a motorbike? Longest straightest stretch Stuart Highway - Does anyone know where the longest straightest stretch of the Stuart Hwy is located? There are many more contributions. Just check out the Outback Guide blog where recently published (or updated) pages are listed.

Stay in touch with the Outback Guide

Anyone who has been in the lush green Australian Outback recently, feel free to post your photos and stories. We'd love to hear from you.

This is a bit off topic, but if you are interested in Germany, please visit my Germany Insider Facts Guide.

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Until next time.

See ya, signature

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