Corner Country in the Outback of SA: Ron explores some of the Outback region of South Australia
Out in Corner Country - the great expanse of the Australian outback where three States meet, the possibilities seem endless. Next stop perhaps Innamincka in northeast South Australia or maybe Thargomindah in southwest Queensland. Or then again Tibooburra in the far west of New South Wales.
Whichever way you go out here on a Tri State Safari's tour chances are you are following a route travelled by this country's original inhabitants or perhaps a trail forged by one of the first European explorers like Captain Charles Sturt. When he was out here looking for his Inland Sea the country was gripped by a ferocious drought -- so very different to the way we found it after good spring rains.
With the good rains have come cattle for agistment from all over the country and clumps of the vivid red flower - Sturt's Desert Pea - named after the man who led a party of men into heart of Australia on a tragic quest.
In the Sturt Pioneer Park at Tibooburra stands a sculptural tribute to one of the more bizarre stories of Australian exploration. Captain Charles Sturt, the man who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the colony of South Australia with his whale boat journey down the Murray in 1830, would later turn his attention to the country's interior. The flight pattern of birds heading north from Adelaide convinced Sturt of the existence of an Inland Sea and so in 1844 he and a party of men set out to find it.
From near Tibooburra, Sturt and his men would strike out into the deserts of South Australia - one would nearly kill him and later bear his name, Sturt's Stony Desert. In the museum in town the aboriginal trade routes point to a time when there were no State borders. Back then, this was a land of aboriginal nations, like the Adnyamathanha, the Dieryi and the Wangkumara.
"The aboriginals of this area had an abundance of silt stone that they could trade with the Adnyamathanha in the Flinders Ranges for ochre," explained John Kappe, our Tri State Safaris guide.
At the town lookout, signs of their presence can still be found today at what was an important meeting place.
"According to the dream story all the tribes came here," said John. "Two men came from Innamincka from what is now modern day South Australia and they asked the locals for some rain stones. But they were refused and were mocked so in revenge they sent down a terrible hailstorm and everyone including them was turned to stone. Hence the name... Tibooburra... Place of stones."
It's a strange and alien landscape and a mecca for geologists.
"The granite boulders are suspected of being an extinct volcano that didn't break through to the surface and the subsequent years of erosion have exposed what was the core of the volcano."
In the 1880s they found gold here, resulting in a mini rush. Today it's a quiet, sleepy sort of place, which has held a fascination for many famous artists like Clifton Pugh. One of his works graces the wall of The Family Hotel.
In another bar, a sketch courtesy of Russell Drysdale no less of an old timer who'd certainly look the part in an outback pub like this. On another wall is a mural by Eric Minchin - a mate of Pro Hart and Jack Absalom - all founding members of a famous group known as the Brushman of the Bush. It's just another fascinating part of a very famous pub in a classic outback town.
Peter Petrovich has rooms available at the Family Lodge Motel across the road. To book contact 8091 3314.
Tri State Safaris run regular trips into Corner Country. To book contact 8088 2389 Family Lodge Motel Across the road from Family Hotel Tibooburra Bookings 8091 3314
Tri State Safaris
Booking: 8088 2389Published 14th October 2007
