Gluepot

 3 - 7 March 2022

We visited Gluepot on the first leg of this trip, as well as on a previous one and we were both keen to return – Mick for the birds and me for the rest and relaxation. We left Berri and travelled towards Waikerie where we crossed the Murray River – again. The road into Gluepot was in much better condition than last time we came through when parts of it were covered in very large, boggy puddles and one section was completely washed out. The trip this time was much easier and quicker.

We called into the visitor centre and paid for two nights, but were still undecided if we would spend more time here. This time we chose Bellbird Campground as we have stayed at Sitella and Babbler camprounds before. As with the others, Bellbird is well laid out with plenty of room to spread out. We were the only ones there when we arrived. We had lunch then set up camp in a spot that would give us some shade as well as easy access to the toilets.

Mick drove down to the nearby Grasswren Tank bird hide for a short session with the camera, and returned late in the day. Daylight savings had ended on Sunday morning so an early morning session required a 6:00 am start. The sun was just starting to show over the horizon as the alarm sounded. Mick spent about three hours at the hide and was back in time for smoko.

The nights were cold, the mornings crisp and the days warm - perfect weather really, so we decided to extend our stay to 4 nights. Mick visited Grasswren Tank and bird hide each morning and on Tuesday afternoon we went for a drive together so he could spend a little time at a couple of other spots.

He had met some campers who were staying at Sitella Campground and had told him about an owlet nightjar there so we made that one of our stops. We were surprised to see the number of campsites occupied as we were still the only ones at Bellbird. We also stopped at Emu Tank on the way back towards the visitor centre. We had planned to pay for the extra nights but decided to hold off. The weather had started to change and we were no longer sure about staying.

After a couple of days of blue skies and practically no breeze, the dark clouds and strong winds had us a bit worried. There is no internet access anywhere on Gluepot so we had no idea what the forecast was for the next few days. The wind died down overnight and there was some light rain, but the sky was very cloudy in the morning. Dark clouds continued to build and it started to rain more heavily at around 8:30 - while Mick was down at the hide. The temperature had also dropped significantly. All we could do was hope that it would pass and the skies would clear later in the day.

The rain did pass and the temperature stayed quite mild. For the first night since we arrived there were other campers at the cmapground - but they only stayed the one night. On our final morning Mick returned to the hide for a morning session before coming back for morning tea and to pack up camp.  On the way out of the reserve we stopped for a quick lunch at Emu Tank, and then hit the road for Orroroo. Once again we would be visiting a place we had never been before.