31st Coober Pedy-Erldunda

This morning we were feeling a bit lazy and did not venture out of the caravan park at Coober Pedy until about 9:00am.
We went for a walk around the town and had a look at the opals and girls there was some nice ones at a good price. We purchased some small ones.

We left there about 10:30am and started heading north we only had about 400ks to do today so we were in no rush and the road is very boring as there is still not much to see.
We crossed the S.A boarder into N.T. We called into Kulgera which has grown since we last stayed there a number of years ago and the caravan park has amenities now kids. Once again and we are having the night at the turn off to Ayers Rock in a caravan park there which is quite nice.
We went and had happy hour over at the bar for about 1hr then back to cook tea.

30th Pt Augusta – Coober Pedy

We were on the road by 9:00am as we have 537ks to do today.
During the course of this mornings drive we passed a lot of triple road trains going toward Pt Augusta.
It was a bit cloudy and showers of the rain this morning.
We stopped and took pictures of Island lagoon which had water in it 4 days ago and now nothing.



Then on to Lake Hart to take some photos.

We pulled into a rest area about 1:00pm for lunch and a cuppa.
There is not much to see between Pt Augusta and Coober Pedy very spare land and only a few sheep on the side of the road. A lot of traffic going south no much going north.
We pulled into Coober Pedy about 3:00pm set up camp and went out the breakaways about 30ks out of town to see the sun go down

29th Pt Lincoln – Pt Augusta

After getting another tyre we left Pt Lincoln about 10:15am.

Called it to Tumby Bay to check it out as Paul said it was a good fishing spot.

For a rare change I had to drive as Paul was feeling a bit tired and not often I get to go behind the wheel.

Stopped on the side of the road at 1:00pm between Cowell and Whyalla to have some lunch.
Changed drivers again and drove through Whyalla around 2:00pm.

Arrived in Pt Augusta about 3:30pm and set up camp for the night.

28th Coffin Bay (day trip)

Today we woke up a little earlier than yesterday as Paul had to take the tyre off the trailer and get a new one.

After we did that off to Coffin Bay for the day. It was not far about 42ks from Pt Lincoln. It is a little fishing village and very pretty.

I think we will be returning here at some stage for a week of fishing.








In to the Coffin Bay national park for lunch. We even found a 4x4 track to go on to get to some more good fishing spots. The weather was still a bit showery and cold.
In the afternoon Paul put the tyre back on the camper and I went shopping. Paul found some people in the park to have a chat to while I was away.



Fiona another tea towel to add to your collection.

27th Pt Lincoln

Well this morning we had a rare sleep in as we have not had one of these in 3 weeks as there has been too much to see.

When we did get up I did some washing and every-time I tried to hang it out it rained as there were showers all day.

About 10:30am we went for a drive around to the marina then to he look-out. It was very windy there nearly blew us away. We then went for a walk around the town and it was very pretty.





After lunch we decided to have a drive into the Lincoln National Park which was very picture's. We tried to see some whales that have been hanging around for a few days but no luck.












Pt Lincoln Parrot


Out to dinner that night to one of the big hotels and we had Oysters and seafood basket which was very nice.

26th Woomera – Pt Lincoln

Paul & I woke early as the wind and rain was extremely bad. We pack up and left around 8:30am before the rain set in and trying to get the camper down was quick difficult as the wind was very strong. It took us 1 3/4hrs to get to Pt Augusta. We stopped there for a cuppa just over the bridge where there was a nice park down by the water. It was there that we left Bryan, Kim, Mika & Jason as they were gong on to Adelaide and then home.

Paul & I headed for Pt Lincoln, first port of call was Whyalla which is a steel town and very old but quite nice we dropped into the visitors centre where there was a big ship.

We then went an bout 1hr down the road to Cowell and had some lunch which was now 1:30pm and we were starting to feel a bit pekish. Cowell is about 182ks from Pt Augusta.

Back in the car after we had a quick look around and then on to P Lincoln which is about 2hrs away.
Arrived about 3:30pm and first stop was the visitors centre to see where everything was so we could find the caravan park. It is quick a bit town since we have not seen many shops in 2 weeks.
Set up camp and had stir fry pork for dinner and early to bed as we were a bit tired.

24th Arckaringa Station – William Creek

Well another day has begun and we left the station super early to get the sunrise on the painted desert. We had a cup of tea out there but the wind was blowing a gale and it was very cold. So as soon as the sun was up we were on our way.

The Oodnadatta track was very good and we were making good timing except when we got to box creek 40ks out of William Creek where we rolled a tyre off the trailer and our tyre gadget did not have time to let us know what was happening.

So on went the spare tyre and off we were again.

We got to William Creek in about 41/2 hrs which was really good as we had a flight scheduled for 2:00pm over the Painted Hills and Lake Eyre.
We had a quick bit to eat and off to meet our flight.

When up in the air it was fantastic to see the Painted Hills, but the best was seeing water in Lake Eyre. So our flight was a big success and we all seemed to enjoy it.

We hoped our tyre would be fixed by the time the flight was finished but unfortunately it was not so we decided to stay at William Creek the night as it was too risky to travel on these roads without a spare.
We had a quick dinner then over to the pub for a few drinks and were it was a bit warmer and out of the wind.
During the night we had a bit of rain and I was a bit worried we might be stuck out here.

23rd Dalhousie – Arckaringa Station (Painted desert)

Left 7:50am stopped at Dalhousie ruins and saw date palms, lots of spring mounds road has not improved very much. After Dalhousie we crossed Pedika Desert very rough gibber plain this desert is on the edge of the Simpson..









We went across a lot of sand dues then on to Hamilton Station.



The road improved slightly and took us 2hrs to travel 70ks. Then we stopped near Hamilton station for a cup of tea. Arrived at Oodnadatta at 11:50am had a look at the pink road house for ½ hr. Headed for Arckaringa station for the night. We arrived at 2:10pm then set up camp we went and saw the cattle being taged and there horns being cut off so then some could be sent to James town for fattening.




We then drove back to the Painted Desert for a walk and sat at the look out to watch the sunset.

22nd Old Andado – Dalhousie

Kims Birthday today. We followed the Binns track down and that was a very exciting track lots of bull dust. And track was a bit rough.

Arrived at Mt Dare about 11:00am and had pies and cuppu while we waited for the trailer to be fixed which took about 3hrs. Set of for Dalhousie Springs at 1:30pm and the road was extremely bad and took us over 2hs to travel 70Ks.

Arrived at Dalhousie 3:30pm and set up camp and went straight to the hot springs for a dip then back to camp for a baked dinner and pancakes after tea.

21st Chambers Pillars – Old Andado

Left Chambers at around 7:40 drove back to Maryvale and we passed the grader going out to grade the rest of the road he had started the day before bad luck for us I guess, and then joined the old Ghan Heritage trail stopped at Rodinga siding for a look, continued on to Bundooma Siding and water tower and we had morning tea. Jason noticed that the trailer was not sitting properly which tuned out to be a broken spring.

Passed through some narrow parts of the road which was still the railroad we were following. Continued unto this road until Finke the road was average.

We arrived at Finke about 1:30pm but the petrol station did not open until 2:00pm so we filled in time going to the Lam bert centre about 33Ks out of town.

Quick stop to take photos then back into town to get the fuel.

We are now headed for Old Andado arrived there at 4:45pm had tea and met the caretaker and had a look around Molly's homestead.

20th Ayers Rock – Chambers Pillars

Left Ayers rock at 7:30am on the way out we took some photos of the sun coming up over the Olga's then we got back in the car and drove to Mt Eberneza for a bit to eat and a break, we then headed north to Stuarts Well stopped at the cannonball memorial to have a look and arrived at Stuarts Well at 11:40am for fuel.

Then off to Chambers Pillars along a stock route and the road was really good. We followed a grader most of the way out to Chambers so the road was extreally good until we over took the grader then it was average.
Arrived at Chambers at 3:30 and walked to the Pillar and back to camp for a drink. The day was brilliant and you would not think it was winter out here,

Then back to the Pillar for sunset.

19th Ayers Rock

We woke up very early 5:30am so we could see the sunset.

This morning was very cold had jacket gloves and scarf on which is the coldest morning we have had so far.
We were not alone out at the sunrise as there seem to be people coming from everywhere.
We stayed the about an hour and froze while waiting for the sun do come up on the rock.

Well eventually it did and was a great sunrise.
After that we drop those that wanted to climb the rock and we walked some part around it as I think we are tired from all the other walks we have done over the past few days.

Quite afternoon we had and we were getting ready for the next day out to Chambers Pillars which will be a big day.
Might go out for dinner we are going to check it out.

18th Kings Creek – Ayers Rock

We left really early 7:30am which was really good as we got to Ayers Rock camping area about 10:30am so we put up the campers.
After we had a bit to eat for lunch we headed out to the Olga's for a walk through the Valley of the Winds. Which was really good took about 2½ hrs steep in some places and hard walking in a lot of places.

Back to the campers about 4:30pm and then we got organized to go and see the sunset out at the rock.
Which was a good idea as it was starting to get very crowed and if we were any later we would not have got a good spot. Good idea Wendy.
Back to camp for tea and some more drinks and into bed for another hectic day tomorrow.

17th Kings Canyon

We had a relaxed morning getting up and going as we are going to walk around the top of the canyon.

When we arrived at the car park was fairly empty and did not look a lot of people there as it was 9:00am.

Start the climb up the canyon quite steep and we took it quite slow and steady.

When we arrived at the top it was very breath taking and really amazing that you could be somewhere quite extraordinary out in the middle of Australia.

The view was amazing and we did not walk fast as we wanted to take it all in and enjoy what was out here in the middle of now where.

It will be hard to put pictures in this entry as everything was just so out of this world.
Once we had finished about 3hrs later for took a short walk into the canyon which by then we were a bit dead and wanted something to eat as I think everyone was a bit hungry.
So off to have some lunch at the rest area.

Back to camp looking for some fire wood on the way so we can have a fire tonight. Bryan, Jason, Mika went and had a go on the quad bikes around Kings Creek Station.

Tomorrow is another day and it will just be as pack as today as we are off to the Rock.
We went to a show they had on the property for a couple of hours.