Innamincka

Innamincka SA 5731 (Less than 20)
Pic: by Kdliss

Innamincka is a tiny, yet legendary isolated Outback settlement located 1 046 km north of Adelaide on the Strzelecki Track. Surrounded by huge cattle stations, it was established in 1882, thrived for a short time and then slowly declined. Huge underground gas fields discovered in 1970s (which today account for 80% of SA’s electricity) together with growing 4WD tourism have seen the town’s re-emergence from its ghost town status. Picnic Race Meeting (Aug).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Australian Inland Mission operated between 1928-50s providing medical care to remote rural communities and was eventually replaced by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It is now National Parks headquarters and early medical tribute museum.

Nearby:
Memorial Plaques (2 km north) to early explorers, Charles Sturt and Burke & Wills. Innamincka Regional Reserve (22 km n-w) a desert park of 1 354 506 ha comprising Coongie Lakes (112 km n-w) a wetlands haven for many types of birdlife & wildlife, Cullyamurra Waterhole (16 km n-w) with Aboriginal rock carvings and great fishing & bush camping areas. Park entry permits are required and 4WDs are essential. Burke & Wills Dig Tree (71 km across Qld border) famous tree where expedition supplies were buried. Strzelecki Regional Reserve (167 km s-w) rugged and isolated sand dune desert with birdwatching at Montecollina Bore.

Accommodation:
Innamincka has a hotel which is also the Visitor Information Centre, Sth Tce. Tel (08) 8675 9901.

Airports:
Leigh Creek Airport (LGH) (493 km s-w); Port Augusta Airport (PUG), off Eyre Hwy. (754 km s-w).

Hospital:
Leigh Creek Hospital, Black Oak Dr. Tel (08) 8678 6022. (493 km s-w).