#2: [23-Mar-22]

02-Apr-2003 -- Although I had been close to this confluence twice in the last few years, I didn’t have time to make an attempt at it until now.

Studying topographic maps I had worked out that there were only two likely approaches to 23°S 150°E. It is isolated from the main highway by a range of hills and is backed by a larger mountain range to the west. The map indicated that there was a track in from Marlborough in the northwest and another from the highway to the southeast. The map showed the track passing within 5 kilometres of the confluence point and I hoped I’d be able to walk in if the terrain was too rough to drive any closer.

My attempt from the northeast was abruptly halted by a locked gate on the track 17 kilometres from the point. With no sign of anyone there, I drove back to the highway and 66 kilometres on I found Atkinson Road which I hoped would bring me in from the southeast. It was easy driving for 20 kilometres in the right direction but my progress was again stopped, this time by a No Trespassing sign at a cattle grid 11.9 kilometres from the confluence and again there was no house or sign of anyone to be seen.

It looks like this one is going to be quite difficult to get to. The maps don’t show any other access and the walk in from the west would be a long one over very rough terrain.

There are a number of mines in the vicinity. On the lowlands to the east is a large magnesium mine at Kunwarara and the beautiful green gemstone chrysoprase is mined at Gumigil in the hills to the west.