Central Australia

From an old slide taken in 1971. Heading up the Oodnadatta Track we met this group of stockmen going out (with their spare horses) to commence mustering (possibly several weeks) on Anna Creek Station. Anna Creek (23,677 km2 (9,142 sq mi) is the world's largest cattle station, 7 times larger than the largest US ranch and larger than countries such as Slovenia and Israel. The number of cattle varies with the conditions (drought etc) but typically is between 10-20,000. As this work is now mechanised with aircraft and motorcycles, this has become a historic image! Translations to US English: stockmen = cowboys, station = ranch, mustering = rounding up.

Copied (also PiP) from slides taken June 1971 on the Oodnadatta Track - see the notes with my previous image for more detail. Shortly after seeing the stockmen going out mustering, we were surprised to meet this camel-drawn wagon following with their supplies and camping gear. Camels had been used here extensively in the past in desert areas, but even in 1971 this was rare. Noting that the driver is on a (very basic) bench, I'll wish everyone a Happy Bench Monday and a good week to follow.

My Mazda 1500 near Lake Eyre (the salt pans in the distance) on the Oodnadatta Track, way back in 1971. It seems that a large 4WD is now the usual vehicle in this area, but this was just a normal car (hub caps removed) and with a 1 year old child in the back seat. Copied from a slide. I'm just back from my more recent trip and yet to work through my images. Coming soon.