Wills . Amongst the dust of the Strzelecki Track you ’ ll find remnants of history immortalised in fable and failure . Where water in the desert lays plentiful you ’ ll find graves of exploration and messages on ancient trees . Had the Europeans listened to the local Aboriginal people they ’ d have understood the importance of the Cooper Creek and Cullyamurra Billabong , Australia ’ s largest . A pub , and tiny community Innamincka is a wonderful place to camp on the common .
Parachilna
The easiest of townships to reach amongst the Outback Loop , Parachilna is located on hardtop Outback Highway , on the western edge of the Flinders Ranges and a region regarded as having one of the oldest fossil fields in the world representing the incredibly early days of complex life .
The Outback Loop offers many unique experiences and if prepared to take the time , riding a little of the main tracks will witness sites well worth a visit .
A dip in the naturally warm waters of Dalhousie Springs is necessary for those ending their Simpson Desert crossing or those about to begin . Water rises from deep beneath the earth and pools in holes offering a swim at between 38 and 43 degrees Celsius , just like a hot bath . The area has a rich Aboriginal history and is sacred to the Arrernte and Wangkangurru people , it ’ s a place where you ’ ll swim with fish found nowhere else on the planet .
Water is also a highlight in Birdsville , both the natural springs cooling ponds and the Birdsville Billabong . The latter is a beautiful place to swim , paddleboard or birdwatch with many unique species to the region calling the waterway home .
Not far north of Marree is the otherworldly experience that is Mutonia , a sculpture park at Alberrie Creek . With pieces and parts found from damaged vehicles amongst the Oodnadatta Track , Mutonia is a collection of the unique . Plane Henge stands proud , a homage to travellers of the sky , while a sculpture resembling Saint Christopher seems to bless those who travel in what also suggests a social comment on the Catholic religion .
Whilst on any of the tracks that are included in the Outback Loop keep an eye out for the worlds longest structure . The Dog Fence is an inconspicuous structure designed to keep the native dogs out of favourable farming land of the south-east , its purpose is contentious , yet you will find it crossing the Birdsville , Strzelecki , and Oodnadatta Tracks .
And while in the region , check out Farina . Once the railhead of the famed Ghan Railway , Farina is just one
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