After the Bash

We left 'Big Red' shortly after 9:00 a.m. on Friday, 19th of July, well after most had already departed. Then, we enjoyed a smooth drive to Birdsville. Like last year, we stayed on the town common for another three days, catching up on laundry and tidying up. 

But more importantly, it meant most vehicles had already gone, allowing us to take our time without being overtaken or showered with stones by hurried travellers eager to get home.

Another lovely meal at the Birdsville Hotel with Glenda and Steve on one of our evenings.

This year, we travelled 168 km east to Betoota. Our plan was to spend two days camping by the waterhole below the pub, but unfortunately, we were disappointed to find there was significantly less water than last year.

The hotel, built in the 1800s and now the only remaining building, closed many years ago but has recently undergone renovation. Although the renovation is complete and the liquor licence is in place, there are still building regulations that prevent it from being used as a hotel.

Most of this road is dirt with occasional patches of bitumen. The condition was expected given the recent traffic. Describing it as rough and corrugated would be an understatement.

Fortunately, our significantly lower tyre pressures and slow speed were gentle enough on our 4WD and van, as well as on ourselves, to handle these conditions. 

The 168 km to Betoota was mainly spent driving through bulldust outside the road markers.

After one night, we headed further east towards Windorah. We were surprised to find the remaining 102 km of dirt in better condition than it had been the previous day.

The lady at the fuel outlet in Windorah mentioned that during the Bash period, she had pumped 70,000 litres of diesel.