When you drive through the outback as a tourist, you don't see what's really there in my opinion. For example, if you were touring here, you'd pretty much drive from Meeka to Newman with maybe a stop at the Kumarina Roadhouse, and it looks like empty desert scrub most of the way. But if you slow down, you see that there are hundreds of dirt tracks; take one and see what you find. They lead to cattle yards, windmills, water, bores, rock pools, shacks, old mines, camps, ghost towns, abandoned railway sidings, aboriginal communities, stations, phone relay towers, mysterious sheds, mine pits, a herd of goats, cattle sitting under a tree, old car bodies from the 1950's, mine shafts, turn of the century bottle dumps - it's riddled with signs of life from many eras.
The tracks can go for hundreds of kilometres. Directions are an art form unto themselves; to get to Peak Hill, I look for the signpost for the 26th Parallel, then turn left on to the Fortnum Mine track. After two creek crossings, look for the faded old handwritten Peak Hill sign - hopefully it's still standing. If you get to the Yulga Jinna aboriginal community sign post, you've gone too far. On the Peak Hill track, keep the airfield track to your left and look for the two huge truck tyres painted white. Cross a washout and take the right hand fork when you see the Bryar Hill / Three Rivers sign (also handpainted). Remember to stop and check the creek levels if there's water. If I can't cross, wait for Gary. Don't leave the vehicle alone, the aboriginals from Yulga Jinna will strip it. Don't take the old Peak Hill track, look for the newer track (the one with the most truck wheel marks).
I hope the GPS works out there.
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