The Bubbler

 

THE BUBBLER.

About 30 ks up the track from our lake campsite is Wamba Kadarbu Mound Springs. These are large mounds built up from deposits of salts and sediments in the springs artesian water and wind blown dirt. You wouldnt know until you climb up one and there is a lovely pool at the top. Due to many man drilled bores the water pressure is lower now and many of these mound springs are dry.

The one we explored is called the Bubbler, a mere shadow of its former self apparently, but still impressive. The surrounding land is white with the salts and sediments in the highly mineralized water, yet it still harbours life.

Another 10 or so ks and a road off to the right takes us to Coward Springs. It is a pay campground with hot artisian pools and a date palm plantation. We didnt want to stay there but called in for a look. You have to pay to enter even if not staying, only a few dollars, but we decided to just have a coffee and home baked cake at the van at the entrance. The lady in the van was unpacking new stock of t shirts and caps etc; to sell, Din spotted a tiny long sleeved shirt with the Coward Springs camel logo on it and had to have it for the new grandson. So with the coffee, cake and takeaway goodies as well as the shirt, caps and other small items, they did pretty well out of us anyway.

Strangways springs ruins

Next stop Strangway Springs, turned off the track and drove about 3k and came to this old settlement. Crumbling old stone ruins,again the work that went into these buildings. So much history way out in the desert.

Was early afternoon so back out to the track and a little further on, an old Ghan rail bridge appeared to the side, a few hundred metres off the road. Checked it out over the mound the track used to run along , Followed the wheel tracks along the side of the creek bed. Nice little explore, turned around when the tracks ran out and went back to the bridge. We pulled up and that was our camp. Over the way there was actually water in the creek bed, not smelly and salty but fresh looking and water birds in it too. Bonus.