Day 3. A long but interesting day passing the greenery of Mt Remarkable then up the Stuart Highway stopping for morning tea by the old historic wharf at Port Augusta, then we travel north through arid saltbush country stopping to admire the huge salt lakes of Island Lagoon and Lake Hart. We take a walk down to the great train line which carries the Indian Pacific and Ghan but alas no trains! Then we continue to climb in elevation to 195m to Pimba, detouring into Woomera for lunch. So many rockets on display here and great history of Australia’s rocket testing in the 1960s. Back onto the highway north we head for Coober Pedy opal mining town for the night. A sunset drive around the unusual town with its underground hotels, cafes and churches, a quick visit to the Desert Cave Hotel. We have been invited to dinner with our friends at the Big 4 who are waiting for car parts to arrive from Brisbane. Distance today 630km, weather light rain then fine 23 degrees.