Camping at Andamooka Waterhole

Camping Trip to Andamooka Waterhole in August 2006

Contrary to the assessment of John McDouall Stuart, Andamooka Waterhole was as dry as a bone and had been for several years. Bones lay in the deepest part, the remains of cattle unable to get a drink, and stuck in the mud.

On the eastern side of Andamooka Waterhole is a steep bluff; a cliff about 12 or 15 metres high for most of it’s length. The top three metres or so of the ground is of a rough sediment made up of angular rocks and fines.

Some small holes are found well up in the rock face where Cockatoos and Galas make their nests.

Monday, 21st June, Water Creek. Started at 9.30 a.m. on a course of 25 degrees. At a mile passed a small table-topped hill to the west of our line; at three miles and a half crossed the creek; at four miles passed another table-topped hill connected with the low range to the east, and passed the first ironstone hill; at seven miles changed to 55 degrees; at eight miles halted at a large permanent water hole (Andamoka). I can with safety say that this is permanent; it is a splendid water hole, nearly as large as the one at the mouth of the gorge in the John. The low range to the east of our course, and running nearly parallel with it, is composed of conglomerate, quartz, and a little ironstone. Part of to-day’s journey was over low undulating sandy and very well grassed country. There seems to have been a little rain here lately; the grass is springing beautifully. At eleven miles we came upon a salt lagoon (Wealaroo) two miles long by one broad. From the north end of it, on a bearing of 55 degrees, one mile and a half will strike Andamoka. I think we have now left the western sand hills behind us; and now that we have permanent water to fall back on, I shall strike into the north-west to-morrow. The distance travelled to-day was fifteen miles. The country around this water consists of bold stony rises and sand, with salt bush and grass; no timber except mulga and a few myall bushes in the creek. On an examination of the creek, we have found salt water above and below this hole. In one place above there are cakes of salt one inch and a half thick, a convincing proof that this is supplied by springs.