John McDouall Stuart - Andamooka Waterhole

Overlooking Andamooka Waterhole.

Studying the journals of John McDouall Stuart, one of Australia’s great explorers, has been an eye opener. Here is an extract from the journal of his trip in 1858, through outback South Australia:

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.

Note: The places named by John McDouall Stuart as Andamoka and Wealaroo are now known as Andamooka and Willaroo.

John McDouall Stuart - Andamooka Waterhole on Wilderness Travel