This is Part III of Leigh’s trip across Australia in a 1944 Ford GPW. Read Part II here.

Map shows the Billman to Montecollina leg of their journey.

Next morning we awoke to a clear sky – finally, and set of for the small town of Blinman, the town began with the discovery of Copper in 1859 and at its peak had a population of over 1500. today this peacful settlement has a permanent population of just 22, plus residents of the surrounding pastoral properties. It “boasts” a General store, Post Office and Hotel.

Blinman Hotel. Nothing but the finest hotels for the intrepid travelers!

After our first machine made coffee for nearly a week we moved on toward our next stop, Leigh Creek (cannot lie, it is named after me!) in brilliant sunshine, everyones spirits had clearly lifted. Stopping briefly for a break at historic Beltana, now a semi-ghost town which has important links with the Overland Telegraph, Transcontinental Railway, Australian Inland Mission and Mining.

Historic Ghan Railway – Beltana Siding

Reaching Leigh Creek around lunch time most took the opportunity to have a store bought meal and yet another coffee, such luxury, additional supplies and fuel were purchased as this was to be the last opportunity to do so until we reached Innaminka in four days time.

Leaving Leigh Creek the road deteriorated rapidy which was a sign of things to come with truck size corrugations in some sections and a surface like broken bricks in others playing havoc with seventy year old Jeep suspensions and drivers nearly as ancient! The three Mercedes Unimogs on the other hand weren’t feeling a thing!

Corrugations & Big sky!

Sturt’s Desert Pea – Balcanoona

Camping that night at Balcanoona Station in the Gammon ranges we could witness for the first time this trip, the stars, as can only be done in Central Australia – brilliant.

Sunrise at Balcanoona

As the next day was a lay day many of us decided to visit the iconic Arkaroola before heading to Montecollina Bore via Moolawatana Station where Australias version of the Great Wall of China crosses the track, the Dingo or Dog fence as it is commonly known, a six foot high 5614 km (3488 mile) long fence that was built in the 1880’s to keep the Dingo, Australias only native wild dog, out of the fertile south-east part of the continent to protect sheep flocks. It is the worlds longest fence stretching from Jimbour near the Queensland coast to end on the cliffs of the Nullabor Plain in South Australia.

The Dog / Dingo Fence

Arriving at Montecollina, the only known bore to be sunk for the watering of stock on the Strezlecki Track many took the opportunity of a dip in the warm waters. Today it is a popular campsite for outback travellers however apart from water has no facilities.

Montecollina Bore

Tomorrow onward to Innaminka with the weather improving all the time.

Read Part IV Here