Mt Wood: Ron explores some of the Outback region of South Australia and New South Wales

Out in what's known as Corner Country, the kangaroos and emus are on an endless search for food as they battle it out with the elements in a landscape as harsh and unforgiving as any on the planet. But with the help of our Tri State Safari's guide, John Kappe, we've struck this part outback Australia in a good year as pastoralists from around the country agisting their cattle after solid rains.

But long before cattle were brought here to be fattened up for markets overseas the early landowners - who moved in soon after Captain Charles Sturt's inland explorations - were trying their luck with sheep at places like Mount Wood Homestead in Sturt National Park.

An old whim and traction engines at the Mount Wood pastoral museum are classic reminders of the outback persistence and ingenuity to be encountered throughout Corner Country.

By the 1890's Mount Wood was shearing up to forty five thousand sheep in a season. But when a series of crippling droughts hit this place - the number of sheep dropped dramatically.

Mount Wood certainly had its heyday and now makes a great base from which to explore this part of outback Australia. With it's enclosed verandahs and desert garden it remains a wonderful oasis in the desert.

The nearby wetland is a magnet for flocks of duck and native birds to rest and recharge. They're all at home in country where the temperature regularly climbs into the mid fifties come peak summer.

But there's one Corner Country character who's adapted to this land of extremes better than most - the kangaroo. Here at Mount Wood, the big reds and eastern greys have a special friend who's made the study of these fascinating creatures her life's work. Ingrid Witte began a long distance love affair with the kangaroo, wayback in the early seventies when she first saw "The Adventures of Skippy" on German television.

Ingrid's now the chief ranger in this part of Corner Country. She's a long way from the small village outside of Hamburg, where she grew up. But her love for kangaroos has brought her to a part of Australia where millions of years of evolution have fine tuned the roo's ability to adapt to fierce climatic conditions.

According to Ingrid "reds" have evolved over about three and a half million years while the "greys" more like five million. Hence the large ears with a myriad of blood vessels close to the surface. All of this allows them to cool down when the desert breezes blow. It also makes them ridiculously cute.

Ingrid Witte's haven for these amazing creatures is at Mount Wood Homestead in Sturt National Park. You can stay there as part of a Tri State Safari's tour. Tri State run regular trips into the Corner Country of South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. To book contact 8088 2389. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Mt Wood
Ph 08 8091 3308
Tibooburra
National Parks and Wildlife Office

Published 20th April 2008