OverviewSituated about 1140 km north from Adelaide, and 85 kilometers north west of Innamincka on the Coongie Lakes Track is Kudriemitchie Outstation. This was once a pastoral outstation used to accommodate the mustering parties away from the main homestead at Innaminka. This site is now heritage listed. The outstation has been renovated by several working parties from the Club, and is available for Club Members and other Clubs to use (at least one member is to be financial member of Four Wheel Drive South Australia). All arrangements to be made via the Club's Trips Coordinator. Refer to the User Info. Why Kudriemitchie and TLCC?It was during 1994 that a group of TLCC members were travelling in the area and it was discovered that the future of the Outstation looked bleak. Due to vandal attacks and the ravages of time, it's condition was such that Kidman Pastoral Co. was planning to demolish the building. This prompted some members of the club to approach DEHAA and Kidmans to suggest that the Club restore the building. This was agreed to by all parties and the first working bee was held in 1995. User Information for Kudriemitchie OutstationMEMBERS AND NON TLCC MEMBERSTLCC’s home away from home ... TLCC members and Non TLCC members can use Kudrimitchie as per these guidelines:
PREPARATIONS FOR TRAVELLING TO THE AREA
FACILITIESSome housekeeping is necessary after you arrive and before you leave:
Improvements to the place are currently being made and offers of help to persons in authority would be appreciated. COOKING FACILITIESOUTSIDE COOKING on the new barbecue is also possible. This was tested and proved to be very good at its installation working bee. Check the FIRE BAN dates with DENR staff. LIGHTINGNew wiring has been installed and electric lighting is possible in the kitchen and some other rooms. Although globes were there, it would be a good idea to take a few spares of a wattage suitable to your generator. Outside the building, next to the poly tank, in a ‘drainpipe’, is a plug which can be connected to your GENERATOR, thus providing safe lighting in the building. You should connect it with a Residual Current Device (RCD). BATHROOMThere is a bath, shower place and hand basin. Although the drains work, hot or cold running water is NOT available. However, by hanging your own solar shower in the shower place, you will have facilities almost like home (some people use a 12volt water pump in buckets of heated water instead). The creek water, while cloudy, is fine for bathing and washing and lathers well. Provide your own mirror to check your personal presentation! WATERWhile appearing murky due to suspended clay particles, the creek water when flowing well, is quite pure in chemical terms and is the source for most residents of Innamincka. There are several rainwater tanks adjacent the building but these should not be relied upon as they are often a source of water supply for other travellers. Innamincka now has a water filtration system where you can refill water supplies with potable water for a fee. Showers and washing facilities (troughs) and beautiful toilets are available to the public in the Innamincka centre. The water is pumped from the Coopers Creek, however, you may find a queue in peak holiday periods. Costs apply. KITCHENIt is big enough for a dozen to sit down to eat if necessary. (A welcome escape from the flies. Your own camping furniture can be added to the existing table and chairs to increase the seating capacity. Cupboards surround the room and are handy for putting things ON but not necessarily In. A sink and drain-board are convenient and the drain works too. FLY PROTECTION (Insects too)Most external windows have been screened with cream coloured shade-cloth, which is a blessing for those inside. A fly-net hanging from your hat is suggested when outside (as well as anywhere for 1,000km in any direction), but this only applies for daylight hours! Insects may be a problem in some seasons or when rain is approaching. Experts could enlarge on this, but in April their presence by the millions after dark was a sign of rain, which fell 2 days later, closing the roads to travellers. TOILETA shaded, short-drop, well-aired toilet, with a view, also has a convenient roll-holder. A recycled baked-bean can needs to be kept fill with ash and applied to the drop hole when required. Provide your own paper! CAMPING-SLEEPINGSweep dust out before placing your gear in one of the rooms. Be prepared by bringing a broom and dust-pan. The middle four rooms are the best but the front three would scrub up if necessary. Dormitory style sleeping is available in the long back verandah. The surrounding yards are fine for tents and Kudrimitchie Camps 1, 2 and 3 are available a little further on up the road if more space is required. WINDMILL AND COLD ROOMStill undergoing refurbishment not far from the house, is a fly proof cool-room under the tank where meats etc would have been kept cool in the past. It is surrounded by large shutters of straw to shield the contents from the sun. These were replaced with new straw panels by the Club in early 1998. ENTERTAIN AND AMUSEMENT
WEATHERSummer – hot, may be wet. Autumn and Spring – variable, warm to hot, possibly damp to wet. Winter – probably cold to comfortable, maybe fewer flies. RAIN – unpredictable in the longer term, but listen to weather forecasts often. The Parks and roads can be closed or even impassable if rain does occur. FINAL WARNINGTHIS IS A REMOTE AREA. Be self contained and let people know your plans. Rain can close tracks for several weeks – always have emergency food supplies. Outstations, like railways sidings, may have wire, nails, bullets etc lying about. In places, the creek has steep sides. Dingoes may visit hunting for food left about. Thanks to Meredith Kennedy for the original article in Landcruising Australia Wide, September 1998, upon which this text is based. |