Choosing the adventure!

The disappointment was felt acutely. After packing up camp at Broken Hill, on the second sunny day in a row, we checked the road report only to find that the road to Tibooburra was still closed. Although there was a remote possibility that the road may be opened in the afternoon, that prospect seemed unlikely as more rain was forecast overnight.

“Corner Country” – the remote meeting point of NSW, South Australia & Queensland – was one of the parts of the trip we had most looked forward to, with its iconic towns of Tibooburra, Innamincka and, further to the north, Birdsville. Marilyn in particular had been looking forward to visiting “Tib”, for reasons she will explain herself.

With gloomy hearts we discussed alternatives. It was clear to me that the risk of travelling north (the road was open to the half-way point to Tib – a roadhouse called Packsaddle )was fraught with danger. Being stranded there would endanger our chances of meeting our later accommodation deadline in Coober Pedy, of needing to “backtrack” hundreds of kilometres, and of being stuck in the middle of nowhere with little to do. We didn’t want to stay in Broken Hill as we’d already spent enough time there and seen all we wanted to see.

I proposed the only sensible option; we travel west towards the Flinders Ranges (which unfortunately we weren’t able to include on our original itinerary), stay a few nights there before (weather permitting) attempting a drive up the Strzelecki Track to Innamincka and resume our original journey from there. It was a safe option, with the only downsides being that we would have to travel hundreds of extra kilometres and we would have to bypass Tib.

I could sense Marilyn struggling to come to terms with the loss of a dream. I suggested that she take Jackson to a Railway Museum, whilst I do some last-minute shopping and fill up on diesel. In reality, my thoughtful agenda was to give her time to process our change of plans. On my return, I asked the question “So what do you think we should do?” Her response was not what I had expected. “Going to Flinders Ranges would be a safe option, but we came here to have an adventure. I think we should take our chances and see what happens”.

So we travelled north. Upon our arrival in Packsaddle, the news had come in that the road would continue to be closed overnight and any rain would likely result in its continued closure. Somehow though, the positive energy we felt from “choosing the adventure” had lifted our spirits. We decided to bypass the campground next to the roadhouse and set out a little further for a roadside rest area. The boys quickly began scavenging for firewood.

Parked also in the rest area were a man and his dog. The man strode over towards us and told us he’d seen a few cars travel through in the opposite direction, and that he was thinking of trying to make the journey. He suggested there might be safety in numbers and that he had a winch if we got into trouble. My concern about driving a “closed” road (and a few flashbacks to “Wolf Creek”) was quickly overwhelmed by the rest of the family urging us further north. Once again we decided to “choose the adventure”.

By following our new-found companion, and staying in the wheel-tracks of vehicles that had already travelled through the thick and slippery mud, we were able to make our way relatively easily through 160km of fascinating country. Our elation continued to grow as we drew closer and closer to Tib. Finally, in the setting sun, we drove into the town and made our way to a campsite – “Dead Horse Gully” – in the fringe of the Sturt National Park.

We were rewarded with the most beautiful camping area we have stayed in thus far. We quickly set up to beat the fading light and cooked ourselves dinner. As we settled into our tents, the stars were bright above us. In the distance were the tell-tale flashes of lightening. The night was a spectacular one as the storm passed overhead, bringing with it about an hour of rain. Enough, we suspect, to keep the road closed for a few more days. We don’t care anymore. We are here in Tibooburra and having an adventure!