Destinations > Diamond In The Rough

Camping At Little Boomerang
Once you are back at the turn-off to the ranger station on the Jundah road- that cuts through the middle of the park, keep heading north for a few kilometres until you see a sign on the left to the park's main camping area at Little Boomerang Waterhole. The 10km track that winds its way across Mitchell grass plains and claypans before emerging amongst the trees on the Barcoo River is easy to negotiate during dry weather, but would be virtually impossible to drive across after heavy rain due to the slippery nature of the soil.
The only man-made facility at Little Boomerang is one corrugated-iron pit toilet so make sure you have everything you need for your stay. Fortunately this outback oasis sees very few visitors, as there are only a couple of level sites where you can pitch a tent back from the river. The star-studded sky above the Barcoo is magnificent, while the haunting calls from nightjars and barking owls mingle with the plopping sounds from yellow-belly and other large fish leaping out of the water.
Fishing in the Barcoo River is normally not too difficult, but the "big wet" in early 2008 made catching a feed more than a little difficult. "There's just too much food in the river for the yellow-belly to feed on" lamented camper Chris Isaac who said he had spent three days fishing without anything to show for his efforts. "Fortunately my wife Lisa bought plenty of sausages for us to eat", he laughed "but being here with my family in this magic spot more than makes up for the lack of fish".

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The Desert Drive
About 2km back from Little Boomerang Waterhole is the start of the 22km (one way) Desert Drive. Try to do this interesting trip early in the morning or late afternoon when the lighting is not so harsh and there is a greater chance of seeing wildlife. The terrain varies considerably from flat claypans through to mulga and spinifex country as well as picturesque red sand dunes that are sprinkled with ghost gums and small hardy desert plants.
My favourite spot on the drive is the Desert Waterhole that you pass around the 6km mark. The thick vegetation bordering this long, narrow waterhole is a magnet for birds and other wildlife including eastern grey kangaroos, sand monitors and mulga snakes. If you go slowly you will have nothing to worry about on the Desert Drive which ends where it joins up with the Jundah road.

 

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