07-Aug-2010 -- After leaving our last confluence, it was further west along the Eyre Highway to the small stop of Cocklebiddy, where it was time to fill out our vehicle, knowing that our next fuel stop was well over 500 kilometres further away. Asking about the track conditions to Rawlinna, the man at the Roadhouse thought that we must be mad wanting to travel the Arubiddy to Rawlinna Track, to which Fiona replied that every person had a different interpretation of a good and bad track.
The first 30 odd kilometres up this track were in good condition and then the rocks appeared and slowed our progress. Being experienced outback travellers; we reduced our tyre pressure, as well as our speed and found the track no problems at all to travel. The only thing that was proving a problem was finding a small area free of rocks and bluebush to erect out tent for the night. As usual, a small area was found and we settled in for the night without our nightly campfire. Next morning we made slow progress and arrived at the main Trans Access Line where we went and inspected the Railway Siding of Rawlinna. Within a few minutes of arriving, a large freight train went hurtling through the siding.
After lunch, we headed out of Rawlinna towards out next confluence. Arriving at the closest point to the confluence, it was a 890 metre walk to the confluence which required passing over the main Trans Australian Railway Line and passing through one small fence. We had only just walked over the Railway line and making our way north to the confluence when another freight train went thundering past, our second train within an hour and a half. The walk was very easy, with small clumps of bluebush, small mulga trees and native grass the only vegetation in this part of the Nullarbor Plain. After the usual confluence dance to mark the exact location and photos in hand, it was back to the car and further west to find another camp site for the night.
Continued at 31S-123E.