COONGIE LAKES, SA TRAVEL
The Innamincka region stands tall in outback legend for its timeless Aboriginal culture, the tragic finale of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition and the genesis of inland pastoral empires. At the heart of this vast arid landscape lies the internationally renowned freshwater wetlands of the Coongie Lakes. The lakes are remote and not easy to get to, which for many people is a prime attraction. The isolation and untouched beauty of this unique natural environment make it one of Australia's most interesting outback destinations.
Off the beaten track
Getting to the Coongie Lakes is an adventure in itself. The nearest town (and last stop for fuel and supplies) is the tiny settlement of Innamincka, about 1060km north-east of Adelaide. Sitting on the banks of the Cooper Creek, Innamincka has a population of around 40 and is little more than a pub (offering accommodation and meals), a general store, fuel pumps and an airstrip.
It is reached from Lyndhurst in the south via Moomba on the Strzelecki Track (475km). This former stock route has some sealed sections for overtaking but, for the rest, travellers can expect corrugations, stones, bull dust and flooding after heavy rains. Coming from Birdsville in the north, there are two routes to Innamincka. The unsealed Cordillo Downs Road (424km) crosses seemingly endless gibber plains of the Sturt Stony
