Dietrich goes to Broken Hill - Again.

[WEDEL.1]

After finishing off at Bells, we headed back to the Park taking a slightly different route. Not far from the park is a huge drain. They certainly do get alot in a short time.



As we approached the park, I saw this KEA? Camper parked amoung the onsite accomodation.



We were hanging around waiting for the designated time for us to go to the lookout, but I got bored very quickly. So we left a bit earlier, and I was thinking that it may get a bit busy up there. Surely I wouldn't be the only one with this idea.

On the road again.




Looking towards the Silverton Hotel (south I think).



Looking the opposite direction (north I think).



From Silverton to the lookout.



We are here! As the road go down to the plain below, this is also known as Mad Max Hwy. This triogly of movies put Mel Gibson on the map. Took many pics here.

[WEDEL.1]

Let the fun begin. Holstein Bier with maching Holstein top.

[DaveMack]

Excellent write-up, Maris ... and great pics as well. Looks as thought it was a great trek ... now you've got my wife interested in doing something similar from Brissie.

Dave

[WEDEL.1]

Yeh, do it Dave.

I love it. Sausages, scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice, tea or coffee BEAUTIFUL!! And that's just breakfast!!

We get to meet some great people and see some great places.

Get into him Mrs Dave!

Maris

[WEDEL.1]

Day 4, 11/4/08.

Today we're off to Menindee. Although we had been there 2 years ago, we didn't go to the Burke & Wills site, from memory, 13kms dirt road.

http://www.walkabout.fairfax.com.au/locations/NSWMenindee.shtml

The view out of our tent in the morning.



One of the mines, on the way out of Broken Hill to Menindee.



On the road.




Stopped at Stephans Creek for some pics. There was some kind of building there, but no idea what. Note the street light coming fom the tree. Yes, it was actually bolted to the tree and still had some wires hanging from it.



On to "Lake Menindee". No lake anymore. There were many Seagulls at the bottom of the weir. They were distracted by our presence, and flow of water sometimes would slide them down the slope. HaHaHa, well, that was the most fun I had so far.

[WEDEL.1]

I decided we'd have lunch at the Maidens Hotel. This is not the original, as it burnt down. However, it was a friendly pub, with a generous serve. So after a couple of Carlton Draught (no German Bier this far north) we had a look at the Darling River to see how the river level had fared after the floods in south Queensland. The level seemed to be higher.

[WEDEL.1]

I was looking forward to seeing the Burke & Wills site, but I didn't notice the sign post on the way in. We must have been busy when we passed it.

On the way out of town we had a look at the Menindee Railway Station. I wondered how late the 4:15 was? A humerous tale of the Rail System in Menindee.




Albemarle Hotel. Not the original, as it burnt down. Mmmmm, 2 pubs in town, both of the originals burnt to a crisp. I'm glad I wasn't the Insurance Company.




The grave of Dost Mahomet, with Dietrich the Green T4 in the background.



Next we had a look at Sunset Strip. A holiday "resort" that had the plud literally pulled out of it. From lake to desert, from water views to sand hills. While some of the dwellings were "shacks" (although top quality shacks) most were ordinary homes.

[WEDEL.1]

We missed the sign post to the Burke & Wills historical site, as the sign post is now gone! However, we were treated with a flock (gaggle, herd, group??) of Emus.

http://www.burkeandwills.net.au/

20 mins later more Emus appear.



Approching Broken Hill.



Straight to the shopping centre and saw this.



On the way to the Park through town.



As we arrived at the Park, a Caravelle appeared.

[WEDEL.1]

The scene from our tent has changed a little. An LT is now in view.
(Geez, I'm having trouble with this stupid, useless imageshack).

[WEDEL.1]

Day 5 - 12/4/2008.

We heard there is a tour available at the Day Dream Mine. So, while I'm not a great miner, we thought we'd see what it was all about. While the road was dirt, the scenery was very good.

http://www.visitnsw.com/town/Apollyon_Valley/Historic_Daydream_Mine/info.aspx

Note the reflection of the yellow fly swatter. Unfortunately it didn't come instructions.



The first gate.

[WEDEL.1]

Gate No 2.





Arrived at last.

[WEDEL.1]

After a 20 min wait our tour guide Kevin began our tour.




Guide Kevin knew his history.



This is where the Cornish Miners slept, sitting up. If they had laid down, their lungs would have filled with fluid. They did not have a long life, but they could earn 2 & half pounds per week, compared to 1 pound working on a farm.



Scenery.

[WEDEL.1]

The gear we had.



The Entrance. It was steep & narrow. I hit my helmet on the roof on one occassion which also knocked the light off. It was difficult trying to get it all back together in the dark.





We passed the 100 feet mark and went as far as about 200 feet down. The tracks still remain.



Here we stopped and we all turned off our lights. It was black, you couldn't see your hand infont of you. Kev then gave us a demo of how a hole was made in which to place the explosives.



Back on top, some of the machinery on disply.

[WEDEL.1]

We're off to Silverton now, but the dirt road awaits. I don't ever remember Dietrich being as dusty as this.



Lucky us, we got a helping hand at one of the gates.





Near Silverton, the river bed that had alot of water duing January.



The old railway line was here (looking towards BH).



The Emus were out & about here too.




Millie found them interesting. She'd never seen them before.

[WEDEL.1]

Entering Silverton from another road has given us a different perspective.