Innamincka

• Summary
• Weather for Innamincka

Nestled near the Cooper Creek, Innamincka took it's name from the Aboriginal word Yidniminckanie. Visitors can camp along the creek, which has good fishing and canoeing. Town facilities are good and information is available from the restored Australian Inland Mission building which is the National Parks and Wildlife South Australia park headquarters.

Close to where the hostel once stood are memorial plaques to expeditions by Charles Sturt in 1845 and by Burke and Wills in 1861. Along the creek, east is Burke's own memorial, and west is Wills'. The Dig Tree, where food was buried for them to dig up, is just over the Queensland border. And there's also King's Marker, where sole survivor John King was found.

Cullyamurra Waterhole on the Creek is good for camping and fishing, and at the eastern end you'll find ancient Aboriginal rock carvings. Tours can be arranged at the hotel or the store. You could charter a boat for fishing or cruising.

In August is the Picnic Race Meeting. Northwest 112 kilometres are the Coongie Lakes, which are desert wetlands of international significance, but only for those with a four wheel drive, a Desert Parks Pass, and all the food, water and spares you'll need in case something goes wrong. If it rains, you could be stranded for weeks.

Not allowed are dogs, guns, fishing, campfires and generators. And remember, you must keep to the road as the ecology off the road is very fragile.