The recent floods through the outback of South Australia reminded me of several incidents back when we trapped rabbits in the 60s. This is one of those times.

The creeks through the outback are mostly dry unless spring fed but the lesson well learnt is never to pitch camp in a dry creek bed even if its the only source of shade available. One such time with no rain forecast my father decided for the comfort of the family and against his better judgement he did just that. We setup camp beneath several gum trees on a small raised patch of gravelly ground in the centre of an extremely wide dry creek bed. We camped there for several days, no rain, scorching hot days and shade … until.

One morning we crawled from our beds to find our little camp perched on an island in the middle of a fast rising creek. Luckily at this time the water wasn’t anymore than knee high and us kids and Mum waded through carrying camping gear while Dad and my brothers hitched the car to the caravan and drove it, the truck and our trapping vehicle across.

What to remember in that country is, there may be no rain where you are but don’t for a moment believe you are safe from flood. Those creaks come down fast and the storm the water came from could be miles away but it’ll be upon you in no time.