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the Degree Confluence Project
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Australia : South Australia

136.0 km (84.5 miles) W of Birdsville (QLD), SA, Australia
Approx. altitude: 22 m (72 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 26°N 42°W

Accuracy: 6 m (19 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: East view into Queensland. #3: South view into South Australia. #4: West view over 'Lake' Poeppel. #5: Karin and Chris in front of the Troopy.

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  26°S 138°E (visit #2)  

#1: North view into Northern Territory. Poeppel's corner marker is just a bit to the right of center in amongst the small shrubs on the horizon.

(visited by Chris Weight and Karin Weight)

31-Jul-2002 -- Well it turns out that the Poeppel's Corner marker is not actually AT the confluence, but is in fact 363 metres north-northwest of the true confluence. As Ulrich describes so well in the first posting of this confluence, the exact location of this corner between South Australia, Northern Territory, and Queensland has been the subject of much confusion :-)

The current boundary marker stands just a bit to the east side of a small salt pan (Lake Poeppel). The original marker post, which was located using a stretched-out survey chain, was placed in the middle of the 'lake'. The actual confluence is just on the very edge of the salt pan. In fact, we were able to drive directly to it!

We crossed the Simpson desert from east to west. This direction is slightly more difficult than from west to east because the prevailing winds create dunes with steeper east sides. Most folks follow the French Line across, but we chose to follow the WAA line where possible because it is less traveled and a bit tougher.

This is one of the best drives I have done anywhere in the world. The dunes run almost due north-south and can be hundreds of kilometers long and are typically 10 to 20 metres high. Crossing east to west means you have literally hundreds of dunes to get over. From the top of any one dune, you can only see as far as the next dune. Sunsets and sunrises in the red desert have to be seen to be believed.


 All pictures
#1: North view into Northern Territory. Poeppel's corner marker is just a bit to the right of center in amongst the small shrubs on the horizon.
#2: East view into Queensland.
#3: South view into South Australia.
#4: West view over 'Lake' Poeppel.
#5: Karin and Chris in front of the Troopy.
ALL: All pictures on one page
  Notes
Poeppel Corner, the triple boundary point between the Northern Territory, Queensland, and South Australia is located about 350 m NNW of the Confluence.