The Dig Tree Conservation Fee

Burke and Wills Dig Tree stands on the bank of Cooper Creek in far south-western Queensland’s Bulloo Shire. The nearest towns are Innamincka in South Australia, 71 kilometres west of the Dig Tree and Thargomindah in Queensland, 326 kilometres to the east. Driving from Brisbane, you take the Adventure Way and drive west for 1,360 kilometres, about 20 hours driving time. You travel the Warrego Highway through Dalby, on to Cunnamulla, then Thargomindah before taking the Innamincka road. The Dig Tree Reserve is within Nappa Merrie station, between Thargomindah and Innamincka. There are three significant trees at the Dig Tree Reserve: the Dig Tree, Brahé’s Tree and the Face Tree. Each of the trees was carved although some of the blazes are now grown over. Two of the trees were carved with the word “Dig” – one was the original message for Burke and the second was carved by a later search party. Recent scholarship has shown that the original carving was on Brahé’s Tree. There is a conservation fee of $20 per vehicle or $60 per bus to visit the Dig Tree Reserve. The South Australia Desert Parks Pass does not cover the Dig Tree conservation fee. There are basic bush camping facilities included. You must provide your own firewood.