Allandale Sation, Oodnadatta Track

But firstly you need to understand the history. And it is to Mr George Bennet, previous owner of Allandale Station, and men of his kind, that the state is much indebted for the largeness and prosperity of its pastoral industry. Like many men to whom South Australia owes its development, Mr Bennet was practically self-made and much of his success is attributed to that of his pastoral run, Allandale. A compact well-watered and conveniently situated property it was considered by many ‘a Blue Ribbon run’ which consisted of 3000 square miles of country which practically surrounded the head of the Great Northern Railway line. In fact, Allandale comprises of three small stations - Wondillina, Warringina and Cecelia Creek. With the exception of four small horse paddocks the entire run was practically unfenced and remained so up until the late 1980’s. Allandale is a unique property with it's wide variety of landforms and features of historical interest. Mount Dutton, a large rocky hill surrounded by mound springs, is one of the most northerly outliers of the Flinders Ranges. There are also numerous large waterholes with the Algebuckina Waterhole being the largest in the district. Previously, Allandale consisted of several earlier but smaller leases, some of which were probably the first in the district to be stocked. The old Ghan Railway, the Overland Telegraph Line and an access track, known as the Bullocky Track all run through Allandale.

The Neales River (also known as the Nappumarra River) enters Allandale at Hookey's Water Hole near Oodnadatta and heads south south-west through undulating red gibber plains for 20 kilometers before encountering an extensive area of moon-plain land type. Here the Neales turns abruptly and heads east south east for 50 kilometres where it again crosses the Allandale boundary. At it's widest point the Neales is several kilometres across and consists of numerous braided channels. The channels and flats support dense stands of feed in season and are a major focal point for grazing animals.

To the north of the Neales are the undulating gibber plains and mesas of the Oodnadatta land system, representing about 73% of Allandale. To the south of the Neales are the open plains of the Baltana land system. There are also extensive sandy areas with low parallel dunes. These Landsystems have a stocking rate capacity of 1.2 - 0.8 beasts per sqkm.

Vegetation on the gibber areas varies from sparse to very dense. Areas north of the Allandale Homestead have numerous gilgais spaced within close proximity of each other that support a wide variety of perennial plant species in dense stands.

The gibber areas are dissected by numerous gidgee and coolibah creeks, many of which have waterholes that provide water for stock anywhere from 3 - 12 months water. These waterholes and gilgais allow for the broad distribution of stock, allowing vegetation around the more permanent waterholes to recover. This is why Allandale is so unique.

On Allandale the Baltana landsystem is represented by an extensive area to the south of the Neales River and consists of gently undulating plains of cracking clay soils with very little gibber cover. Drainage lines support large areas of coolibah (Eucalyptus coolibah ssp.ariad) and gidgee (Acacia Cambagei) over cottonbush (Maireana Aphylla). The plains are dominated by Oodnadatta Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia ssp. Omissa) with bladder saltbush (Atriplex vesicaria) and with an abundance of Mitchell grass (Astrebla pectinata).

The only example of the Margaret landsystem on Allandale is Mount Dutton. The landsystem consists of rugged ranges with deep gorges and a deeply dissected plateau. The slopes of the ranges are rough and rocky.

The Oodnadatta landsystem is comprised of gently undulating gibber plains with numerous gilgais and occasional mesas. Representing 73% of Allandale, Oodnadatta is by far the most common landsystem on Allandale. It covers all of the central and northern parts of the property. The gilgais on the gibber plains are dominated by Oodnadatta saltbush. The gilgais also support a variety of shrubs and grasses including bladder saltbush and Mitchell grass. Drainage lines are scattered with stands of gidgee. The larger creek systems are dominated by coolibahs and gidgee along the creek edge. Soils comprise of deep red clays, brown clays and clay loams.

WATTIWARRIGANNA

The Wattiwarriganna landsystem consist of extensive dunefields of long parallel dunes and broad inter-dunal corridors. There are small patches of Wattiwarriganna landsystem near Mount Dutton, south of Algebuckina Waterhole and in Peake Paddock. Dunes have deep red sandy soils and sandy-clay soils occur in the swales. Vegetation on the dunes is dominated by a grassland of sandhill canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) or a tall shrubland of sandhill wattle (Acacia ligulata). Needlewood (Hakea leucoptera) also occurs as scattered plants and mulga (Acacia aneura) occurs on some dune footslopes. Interdune corridors include both sandy flats and claypans. Sandy flats support low shrublands of starbush (Gunniopis quadrfida), low bluebush (Maireana astrotricha), cottonbush (Artiplex nummularia ssp. Nummularia), bladder saltbush, emubushes (Eremophila species) and cassias (Senna species).
Some drainage areas support swamp canegrass (Eragrotis australasica), old man saltbush, cottonbush (Artiplex nummularia ssp. Nummularia), neverfail and lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta).
Several mound springs occur in this landsystem - Keckwick Spring being the most prominent.

Due to the vastness of Allandale, the property is divided into 9 paddocks for ease of management. These paddocks have been fenced according to land systems, creek flows, watering points EG. dams and bores and the natural movement of stock.

NAME:                          CECELIA WELL
TOTAL AREA:            97 km2

WATER POINTS:   

The Cecelia or Station Creek

Cecelia Well

Cecelia Well Twin Tanks & Trough 1 

Cecelia Well & Trough 2

 Cecelia Well & Trough 3 

Dingo Creek - Scattered Waterholes

Nine Mile Bank

Stony Creek Trough

DESCRIPTION:

At 93 square kilometres Cecelia Creek is one of the smaller paddocks on Allandale. This paddock has numerous water gullies that act as a part of the catchment point for Dingo Creek and The Cecelia.  The major water point is Cecelia Well and it's pipeline. This well (artesian base) is one of the older artificial waters on the lease. Most of the paddock is comprised of rolling gibber plain, dominated by Oodnadatta salt bush, cottonbush and rock emubush. There are numerous gilgais on the plains and the gibber is dark and angular. These gilgais play a major part in alleviating stocking pressures on the more permanent waters after a rain event.

NAME:                          CRAMPS CAMP
AREA:                            1129 km2 

WATER POINTS:

BUDGES TANK
CRAMPS CAMP WATERHOLE
EDITHS DAM
FARLEYS DAM
FISH HOLE CREEK & WATER HOLE
GOORIKIANA TROUGH & WATERHOLE
HAGAN'S HOLE
ISOBEL DAM
LONG HOLE
MATHIESONS WATERHOLE
NAPIER BORE
NASA TROUGH
STEWARTS WATERHOLE
TOONDINA SPRING

 
DESCRIPTION:

Cramps Camp paddock is a large paddock in the south west corner of the property. The southern part of this property consists of the gypseous moon-plain land type and is relatively unused except when winter rains are forthcoming. On a winter rain this land type provides herbage that cattle find more than palatable. The northern part of the paddock is more intensively developed. Here the country consists of extensive undulating gibber plains dominated by Oodnadatta saltbush dissected by numerous gidgee creeks. Gilgais on the plains support vast areas of Mitchell grass & neverfail. Toondina Spring is a large mound spring in the southern part of the paddock.

NAME:                          HOOKEYS HOLE 
TOTAL AREA:           172 km2

WATER POINTS:  

Hookeys Waterhole
Mathesians Waterhole
Missionary Waterhole
Stewarts Waterhole
Shannons Bank
Roadside Bore

DESCRIPTION:

Hookeys Hole paddock is comprised of undulating gibber plain with areas of low escarpments and plateaus. Minor drainage lines support sparse stands of mulga with gidgee dominating the lower reaches and larger creeks. Vegetation on the plains is dominated by Oodnadatta saltbush and bladder saltbush with scattered areas of Mitchell grass. This paddock is all floodout and when the Neales River flows the channels and flats support dense stands of grasses. This feed system is highly valued with high weight gain in very short periods of time.

NAME:                          MOUNT ALBANY
TOTAL AREA:            268 km2

WATER POINTS:

Donkey Bank
Trevors Dam
Twin Tanks Trough & Pipeline
Waterholes - numerous unamed

DESCRIPTION:

Most of Mount Albany Paddock is comprised of rolling gibber plains with numerous gilgais dominated by Oodnadatta saltbush and bladder saltbush. Perennial bush and grasses form dense stands in most areas. Watercourses are dominated by gidgee and associated grasses.The Mount Albany Paddock also boasts some spectacular scenery, similar to that of the Painted Desert. 

 NAME:                           MOUNT DUTTON 
TOTAL AREA:              1166 km2     

WATER POINTS:  

Algebuckina Waterhole
Big Cadna-Owie Spring
Broken Boot Bore
Cootabarcoollia Bore
Eleanor Dam
Georges Bore
Gidgee Lizard Bank
Hann Bore
Hann Waterhole
Horse Hole (Waterhole)
Little Cadna-Owie Spring
Macellister Spring
Mount Dutton Bore
North Bridge Bank
North Creek Dam
North Creek Tank & Trough 1
North Creek Tank & Trough 2
North Creek Tank & Trough 3
Ockenden Bore
Ockenden Spring
Plantation Bore
Shell Bore
Toondina Dam
Wandillinna Spring
Watsons Bore
Watsons Bore Tank & Trough 

DESCRIPTION: 

Centrally positioned and the highest point in the paddock, Mount Dutton is a conspicuous landmark.
There are a number of other contrasting land types through out the paddock. To the north are colourful breakaway escarpments and mesas which give way to rolling gibber plains. This is undoubtedly some of the most spectacular scenery in the outback. The Neales River runs across the paddock in an easterly direction, skirting around the southern end of Mount Dutton. The Neales separates the gibber country of the north from a large area of the Baltana landsystem in the south.
The Mount Dutton ranges have a deep red hue from their coat of gibber stones, intersected by creek beds lined with gidgee trees. There is also a patch of sand country to the west of Mount Dutton and some dark sandstone ridges near Algebuckina Waterhole in the south-west.Mount Dutton is comprised of a steep rocky ridge aprox. 5 kilometers' long in a north-south lineament. There are a series of mound spring groups within a 10 kilometre radius of Mount Dutton, collectively they are know as the Mount Dutton Complex. This complexThe Neales River consists of numerous braided channels lined with gidgee, Broughton willow and coolibah. Channels and flats support dense stands of grasses, predominately swamp wanderrie.Vegetation on the escarpment and gibber plains is usually dominated by Oodnadatta saltbush and bladder saltbush with patches of rock emubush. Gilgais support desert lantern and perennial grasses including Mitchell grass and neverfail. Drainage lines are dominated by gidgee.There are a number of features of historical interest through Mount Dutton paddock that give an indication of the amount of European activity over the last 140 years. The Overland Telegraph was erected through the centre of the paddock in the early 1870's, The Ghan Railway came later, following a similar route. There was a railway siding at Mount Dutton Bore where cattle were loaded and the steam engines re-fuelled. The Oodnadatta Track now follows the abandoned railway line which is now a popular tourism odyssey.

NAME:                           PEAKE PADDOCK
TOTAL AREA:             121 km2

WATER POINTS:

George's Bore
Keckwick Spring
Peake Dam
Wild Dog Bore
Wild Dog Tank & Trough

DESCRIPTION:

Peake Paddock is a small paddock at the south-western corner of Allandale. The Peake Creek flows through the northern part while low, linear dunes occupy most of the southern portion.
Kecwick Spring is located in a channel of the Peake Creek. Vegetation on the dunes is dominated by sandhill wattle and sandhill canegrass with scattered horse mulga and stands of needlewood. Grasses include woolybutt, buck wanderrie and kerosene grass. Depressions on the interdune flats support canegrass and neverfail.

The Peake Creek is dominated by coolibah and Broughton Willow with dense stands of old man saltbush.

NAME:                           SISTER OLIVE 
TOTAL AREA:             135 km2

WATER POINTS:

Sister Olive Bank
McDill's Dam
Cecelia Bore Tank & Trough 2
Cecelia Bore Tank & Trough 3

DESCRIPTION:

Sister Olive is mainly comprised of rolling gibber plains dissected by gidgee and coolibah watercourses. Perennial vegetation cover on the gibber plains is dense. There are numerous gilgais supporting Oodnadatta saltbush, bladder saltbush, Mitchell grass and neverfail. Sand spreads on the gibber near Sister Olive Bank supporting dense stands of bladder saltbush. McDill's Dam and Sister Olive Bank are both major waters.
Sister Olive Paddock supports dense growth in any give rain event.

WATER POINTS: 

Big Waterhole
Chinaman Waterhole
Cliff Waterhole
Gum Waterhole
Marshes Waterhole
Oil Drum Waterhole
Seven Mile Dam
Syd's Yard Waterhole
Troopers Hole Dam
Weedy Waterhole
Wire Yard Waterhole

DESCRIPTION:

Troopers Paddock contains some rugged country with low rocky escarpments, stony slopes and rolling gibber plains strewn with dark gibber boulders. The drainage lines are dominated by gidgee and coolibah with an understorey of cottonbush and silky browntop. The Troopers Hole Creek and the Yardaparinna Creek have numerous waterholes, some of which last in excess of 12 months. There are several old wooden sheep yards scattered along these watercourses, indicating the land has a long history of supporting domestic stock. Oodnadatta saltbush dominates the gibber areas. Gilgais support desert lantern, Mitchell grass and neverfail.

WATER POINTS:

Anderson's Dam
Edidina Waterhole
Eitzen's Camp Waterhole
Erklenz Tank & Trough
Droughtmaster Bore
Fat Controllers Tank & Trough
Jack's Camp Waterhole
Norm's (Hagan) Dam
MacCulloch Waterhole
Navvy Waterhole
Sharkys Waterhole
Watson's Bore Trough 1
Watson's Bore Trough 2

DESCRIPTION:

At 1283 square kilometers, Watson's Bore Paddock is the largest paddock on Allandale. It is similar to Troopers Paddock in that the landscape is quite rugged but incredibly beautiful and not visible to the public. Access to some of the waterholes can be difficult but overcome by traditional methods of mustering - horses. There is a raised plateau in the centre of the paddock with is covered with dense stands of Oodnadatta saltbush and Mitchell grass. The southern and eastern parts are primarily undulating gibber plain dominated by Oodnadatta saltbush and Mitchell grass. The numerous drainage lines are dominated by gidgee and coolibah.