Bore Track

The Bore Track is an adventurous 4WD track in South Australia longing the Queensland border from Cameron's Corner to Innamincka. It is a narrow, rarely used, scenic alternative to the broad truck route of the Strzelecki Track, passing through the red sand dunes and pans of the equally named Strzelecki Desert. It is equally beautiful and a good preparation for the longer traverse of the Simpson desert. There are gas fields and pipelines with bores into the ground for which the track is the historic access and after which it is named.

Navigation

The best planning for the trip is to download a GPS track, otherwise navigation may be demanding between the many dead ends and commercial pipeline service roads. Good maps are an asset. Parts of the track may be deep dry sand.Coming from Tibooburra it is worth to stop at the Corner Store of Cameron's Corner at the meeting point of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia. Follow West until the narrow track takes off at Bollards Lagoon towards the North, passing a dry lake. The Southern part of the track goes over farm land with cows here and there, often around water tanks with wind-powered pumps. North of the fence commence the gas fields; it is woth to have a look, but stay well apart since gas flushing is a hazard and can be lit by your car.The track ends East of Innamincka, where it is only a short drive to the permanent Cullymurra water hole of Cooper Creek.

Camping

Fuel and water should be filled for the number of days planned. Although Cameron's Corner to Innamincka could be made easily in a day, it is worth to have a bush camp in one of the pans or on top of one of the dunes. Nature is very fragile and one should avoid lightening fires and damaging vegetation and soil. Instead, lying on the back and watching the stars will compensate for this.

Wildlife

Especially after rain, the desert flourishes for months with yellow flowers on the dunes and high grass land in the dips. A few small trees or bushes scatter over the landscape and give protections for many birds. Swarms of green and yellow budgerigars can be observed in the evening hours, which are here in their most natural habitat. There may be gekkos, lizards and snakes around which can either be seen directly of by reading their trace in the sand.

External links

* [http://www.aerialvideo.com.au/innamincka.html Aerial Video of Innamincka and the Strzelecki Desert]

References

* [http://www.outback-guide.de/maps/big/Birdsville.jpgMud map]
* [http://www.outback-guide.de/Guide/Tracks/Zentrum/mmZ17.htm Rainer's Outback Guide]
* [http://www.outback-guide.de/Guide/GPS/GPS_data.htm GPS download - route Z17]