ITINERARY: FOR WOZ n LOZ.
13.04.18 to ...………
Buninyong, Adelaide, Port Augusta, Pimba, Woomera, Andamooka, Roxby Downs, Olympic Dam, Coober Pedy, Marla, Kulgera Roadhouse NT, Alice Springs, East & West Macdonnell NP, Kings Canyon, Uluru, The Olgas. Then back to Erldunda Roadhouse, Marla, Cadney Homestead Roadhouse, Coober Pedy, Pimba, Port Augusta, Murray Town, Gladstone, Burra, Morgan
Buninyong to Bordertown 356k
Bordertown to Tailem Bend 175k
Tailem Bend to Strathalbyn 61k
Strathalbyn to Christies Beach 53k
Christies Beach to Port Augusta 336k
Port Augusta to Pimba 176k
Pimba to Glendambo 112k
Glendambo to Coober Pedy 255k
Coober Pedy to Cadney Park 153k
Cadney Park to Marla 82k
Marla to Kulgera, Ghan NT 181k
Kulgera, Ghan NT to Erldunda Roadhouse, NT 75k
Erldunda to Curtin Springs, NT 161k
Curtin Springs, NT to Yulara NT 86k
Fri 13.04.18.
All packed ready to go, Isuzu full of diesel it’s 345pm, ops back we go for the wheel lock it’s 405pm.
Good trip, stopped at Horsham for tea, came out and it’s raining, wet most of the way to Nhill, where we fueled up, 139.9, on to Bordertown to camp for the nite @ Bordertown Lake Free Camp & Dump Point, what a name, it’s 930pm SA time.
I can’t believe the Pies beat the Crows in crow land!
I saw 23c today.
Sat 14.04.18.
On the road 815am, driving rain by Keith, fueled up at Tintinara 131.9. Still raining, crossed the Murray River at Tailem Bend on the Tailem Bend Ferry North, very windy ruff river but smooth on the ferry.
Traveled through Wellington, Langhorne Creek on to Strathalbyn where we had lunch at the local bakery, on through Meadows, Claredon, Morphett Vale and on to Christies Beach Tourist Park, they didn’t have our booking! Lucky I had a confirmation email…we are on site # S38 for two nights 77.40$. All set up very windy on the beach park.
Off to Noarlunga Centre for bread and fruit. Then on to see the Scally’s, Tanya has just had a shoulder operation so a bit tender, the girls have grown, have got very tall. Carl put on a roast for tea, chicken and beef, very tasty, thanks guys. Back at the van relaxing.
Sun 15.04.18.
Wow what a sleep in, we are having breakfast at 1140am! Still windy rainy wet.
Rain has gone, still windy but dropping off, beach is very ruff. No beach for the two days we were there! Filled the water tanks on van and two 20lt water containers, not sure about the water, heading north tomorrow…
Went for a drive to Glenelg, still one of our favorite spots in Adelaide.
Fueled up 146.3.
Back to Tanya and Carls for tea and catch up...Tuna Pasta was very filling, yum, cheers guys.
Mon 16.04.18.
Up and out and on the road 830am, wet and dirty through Adelaide, once out the other side a good run to Port Augusta, 1pm. Lunch & coffee stretch the legs.
Fueled up 138.9.
Back on track, 2pm, Isuzu clicked over to 60000k.
Good run all the way through to Pimba, Spuds Roadhouse it’s 430pm, a couple of stops along the way for scenic views, long day in the car. 509km traveled today, I saw 27c.
Tue 17.04.18.
Off to Andamooka, wow what a place that is, old shacks and shanties everywhere, opal heaven along time ago. They have not had rain in the last 12 months!
On to Olympic Dam, big BHP outfit, mining there, air strip for in and out miners. On to Roxby Downs, heavily treed town, shopping area very green we had lunch there. Woomera our last stop for the day, great to learn about our involvement in the testing of rockets and missiles back in the day.
Back at Spuds roadhouse relaxing for the rest of the day, chatting to other travelers about their adventures. I saw 28c today...
Wed 18.04.18.
Moving on to Coober Pedy today.
Fueled up at Spuds $159.9 price is moving up.
First stop Island Lagoon, pics taken, Lake Hart next stop, both dry.
On to Glemdambo, where we un hitched the van and went for a drive to Kingoonya, west off the Stuart HWY, 42k one way, pretty rough going, not much there, it was a centre point for farming back in the day and a main contributor to railway when it went through in the early 1900’s, there’s a working pub, old caravan park, working, an old Fox Roadhouse not working and a few houses/shanties, it’s also known for the widest street in Aust, where a game of cricket was once played!
42k back, lunch and fueled up at Glendambo, 159.9. 255k to Coober Pedy, good run, lots of road kill on this trip, kangaroos, emus and cattle, most of this part of Aust is unfenced, lots of crows and wedge tail eagles, cleaning up. Arrived Oasis C/P, 415pm, site# 9. All set up, meet our neighbor, Rex & Sue nice couple, out for tea, Out Back Bar & Grill, great after a long day. I saw 32c today.
Thu 19.04.18.
Off on foot to the information centre, most of the homes and business are under ground, checked out Umoona Opal Mine & Museum, fantastic, awesome the way its built & looks, Opals are pricey!!!
Then on to the Opal Cave, learnt more of the history of the early 1900’s, pics of old days are plenty. After lunch, up to The Big Winch Look Out, great views over the city, pics taken. Then, the best by far, Fayes Underground House & Mine, just fantastic, Faye bought the property just one room dugout in the 1960’s, and her and two friends dug away over a period of ten years on & off to create this terrific underground home, six rooms with a pool and her Opal Mine was very successful as well. On the road out to Crocodile Harry’s, a few ks out of town, a man who caught crocs for a living in the NT in the 1950’s, he came to Coober Pedy to try his hand at Opal mining, built himself a underground house, when he wasn’t mining he was entertaining the ladies and drinking alcohol, ended up being know as “The playboy mansion of the outback” google him, not a bad story!
Off for a 70k drive to check out The Breakaways & Dog Fence, five lookouts to go too, all with great views, waited for sunset but too much thick cloud around, made it pointless.
Back at the van, great meal on the Weber. I saw 36c today.
Fri 20.04.18.
Off for a walk this morning, crumpets were great for breakfast, out and about, checked out The Serbian Church, great carving in the ceiling.
Then on to Boot Hill Cemetery for a look, then to the old cemetery in town, nothing like the other...
A drive round Coober checking out the underground housing, Loz n I find it amazing, chimneys, pipes and tv ariel’s sticking out of hillsides, the homes are at 23-25c inside, all year round.
Midday, Josephine’s Gallery, Kangaroo Orphanage, a talk on kangaroos and feeding.
Came out to find it was raining! Very unusual for the town, people were taking about it. Puddles everywhere. After lunch, checked out the Speedway...Couldn’t see much.
Visited the underground book shop, another fantastic building.
We went to the Desert Cave Hotel, lots of opals for sale, a big boulder size, black inside, in the hall way.
Down stairs about 8m into a hall way about 50m long with loads of pics and olden day equipment, just brilliant.
Check out the pool at our park, in doors because of the dust and dirt.
Fueled up 1.48.
We have new neighbors beside us, guess who his who?
The drive in across the road is screening tonight’s AFL game Swans v Crows, now that’s a big screen!!!
Chatted with both couples either side, till dark, good stories...
We are leaving Coober Pedy tomorrow, we loved the place, well worth the visit, we are heading north.
Crows won by 10, 75 to 85.
Sat 21.04.18.
On the road fueled up and watered up, good run through to Marla where we fueled up, 161.5, had lunch, currently 33c.
Back on track through Agnes Creek, had a couple of road trains pass us today, some fast, but one slow, took for ever to fully get round us, pics taken on Woz’s big camera. Arrived at the SA/NT border, 240pm, more pics.
On to Kulgera Roadhouse NT, checked in to camping ground for the night with power, 25$.
414ks today, I saw 38c today.
Sun 22.04.18.
Fueled up 193.0, at Kulgera Roadhouse. On the Stuart Hwy 8am, hot night in the cot. Good run, more wedge tailed eagles on road kill, very impressive birds, Isuzu MUX & Jayco Starcraft, preforming perfectly, both filthy dirty though.
275ks today to Alice Springs, checked into Gidday Mate CP, site# 142, great shady park.
Quick setup, Loz wants to check out Todd’s Mall Market, made it there with an hour left, also visited the tourist information centre while in town.
Stocked up on fruit and veg, we are back at the park relaxing, good to see the Cats won yesterday. I saw 32c today.
Mon 23.04.18.
Off to the Old Telegraph Station, this is were Alice Springs began, loads of history there, 1860’s to current times. When we were leaving we saw our first Dingo.
Also found the local Speedway.
Up to Anzac Hill Lookout, great views over Alice Springs. On to Uterne Solar Power Station, 5 hectare of solar panels. They have 300 days a year of sunshine!
Found Traeger Park, AFL Footy ground, when they play here.
Fueled up, 151.9, took pics of a dry Todd River, the abbo’s love it, I think half of them live there, there are lots of them here in Alice. Chilling out at the van, I had the Weber humming tonight.
A great day had, I saw 32c today...
Tue 24.04.18.
9am we are at The Truck and Train Museum, wow every truck lover should come here, even if your not.
1230pm lunch time.
East Macdonnell Ranges, here we come. Went to Emily & Jessie Gap.
Onto Cooroboree Rock.
Then Trephina Gorge Nature Park. On to Ross River, lots of pics taken of all places. The Ghost Gum.
Back at the van just on dark, caught up with a couple we meet at Coober Pedy, Rex & Sue from the Gold Coast, they are heading further north tomorrow on their 4 month trip, safe travel guys. Long day, I saw 32c today, just right…
Wed 25.04.18.
Early start today, West MacDonnell Ranges, first stop Simpsons Gap.
Second Standley Chasm.
Both superb, next Ellery Creek Big Hole, (swim if u want)
Then a huge drive to Tylers Pass Lookout, where we had lunch, magic views, pic taken, this is our furtherest place today.
Traveling back we stopped at Redbank Gorge, 1.2k walk one way, but worth it.
Next Glen Helen Gorge, (swim if u want)
On to Ormiston Gorge.
On to Mt Sonder Lookout, great views over the ranges. Then Ochre Pitts. Then Serpentine Gorge, lots of pics taken of all today, back at the park half hour b4 dark. I saw 33c today.
Thu 26.04.18.
Into town to get info on Kings Canyon and Uluru, checked out the local camping shops, bought a souvenir, Zebra Rock, a great piece for our collection, not to mention the number of rocks Loz has already collected. Lunch, then supplied up fruit veg & water for the second half of our trip.
Fueled up 151.9. Tomorrow we head off for Kings Creek Station C/G, 431ks from Alice Springs, booked in for 3 nights, with the option to stay longer if we want. Back at our van, washing done tided up, had to clean the rear number plate on the Isuzu, couldn’t read it, full of dust, relaxing day really, overcast most of the day. We both loved Alice Springs, it’s a pity it’s so far away. I saw 31c today.
Fri 27.04.18.
On the road heading south, heading for Kings Creek Station C/G, a Camel & Horse Station. We are at the half way point of our trip, left home two weeks ago today. 176ks later we arrived at Erldunda, had a stretch, fueled up 194.9, checked out the shop, talk about expensive! 12pm, turned right off the Stuart Hwy, 236ks to go, arrived 3pm, (1xAdult28$pernite!) site “Chilbi 1” or #3! Everything on the ground is red but beautiful, met some nice campers chatted for a while, great sunset, pics taken of course.
I saw 30c today.
Sat 28.04.18.
Off to Kings Canyon, first walk The Kings Creek Walk, absolutely fabulous, ghost gums growing in the dry creek bed amazing boulders in the creek, steep, deep red canyon walls on both sides, well worth the walk. Just remembered to adjust the timezone on the Nikon! All SA/NT pics till now are an half hour out!Drove to Kings Canyon Resort to check it out, (1xAdult25$pernite) nicer than the one we are in, I reckon, Loz likes where we are. Second walk Kathleen Springs, sealed path all the way, easy walk, great water hole at the end with beautiful deep red walls around us. Back at our C/G, walked to the parks lookout, great views over the Station. Relaxing with a movie in the late arvo “Race” enjoyable flick. Sitting outside after dark, when a dingo walked bt me and the car, stopped, looked at me and kept going, it didn’t make a sound, 10 min later it appeared behind the car, looked at me again and then, gone! Then while writing this now, it just walked past at the rear of our camp, not two meters from me, I might go inside...nite…
Sun 29.04.18.
Left the Loz asleep, off to do The Kings Canyon Rim Walk, 6km, started at 724am, garden of eden 926am, finished walk 1049am, total time 3.25hr. Absolutely Fantastic, loads of pics taken. Fueled up at Kings Canyon Resort 195.0. Back at the van for lunch, looked at all the pics I took, all pretty dam good! Relaxing with the wonderful Loz for the rest of the day, tomorrow we are off to Uluru for four nights.
Mon 30.04.18.
First thing checked for dingo foot prints, and yes, the dingo had been back during the night, might have been looking for me! I am a dog groomer, maybe the word has got around.
All packed up 9am and on the road to Uluru, 270ks. Curtain Springs fueled up 199.9. Past Mt Conner, a lot of people think it is Uluru at first site. Arrived Uluru 1245pm, checked into camp ground site #30, for four nights. Off to Yulara shopping centre to get some info on what’s the go....nice area, very small, got lots of info, booked a sunrise, Field of Light Show, for Wed morn, we get pick up at 520am! Checked out the local look out, called Uluru Lookout, right on sunset, it was great, could see the Olga’s in the distance. Back at the van, cheers…
Tue 01.05.18.
Off to check out Uluru, 25$ a head for a three day pass. First sight was amazing, Uluru is huge, and when you are close to it, it just towers up, massive, you need to see it yourself.
No climbing the rock today, too windy on top. Did the Mala Walk, magic to see the caves, waterholes and where water falls would be if it rained. Drove around the whole rock, amazing scenery, shape, color, boulders, shadow, makes it look different with each look. Did the Kuniya Walk, an amazing waterhole at the end. Lunch at a rotunda. Then off to the Cultural Centre, very interesting. Found the best spots for sunsets and sunrise. Drove around the rock again, the other way this time, it looked different again, going to be hard to sort out these pics when I get home! Pork steaks and salad for tea, yummo.
I saw 31c today.
Wed 02.05.18.
Early early start this morning, we are going to the Field of Light, up at 450am, bus picked us up at 535am, it’s 12c no wind, moon is up, we arrive at the location, off the bus, up a sand dune and there it was, 50000 fibre optic lights, all on in the dark changing colors, with Uluru in the back ground, need to be seen to be believed, just brilliant, stayed about 15min after sun rise, got some brilliant shots, coffee and bickie supplied, then dropped off at our van. Breaky, then off to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) 50km away, saw a dingo on the side of the road, so I took its pic. Walked The Walpa Gorge, 2.6km return, very ruff under foot, but we got it done, rewarded at the end. Then on The Valley of the Winds, 2.2km return, great views, lots of pics taken. Back to Uluru, did a lap, back at the van relaxing. Now at the car sun set parking, for that great shot…Shots not bad, a lot of cloud around, maybe tomorrow night...I saw 31c today. Diesel is 206.9 here at Yulara, I haven’t bought any yet!
Thu 03.05.18.
Into the town square.....coffee banana bread & chocolate milk shake, cos we can! Went to the Arts & Museum, learnt more about the rocks, desert plants and bush tucker. Late lunch at the Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge, they have pizza out here, what a treat. Off to the park to see Uluru up close for the last time, and do the Lungkata Walk, great views. Now at Talinguru Nyakunytjaku Sunset Viewing Area, opposite from where we were last night. Got good pics, with The Olgas in the back ground. Five days & four nights, we have had a great time here, thanks Uluru-Kata Tjuta for having us. Tomorrow we are heading for the Stuart Hwy, turn right and start heading south…Today was cool to warm I saw 23c.
Fri 04.05.18.
Got away 930am, sunny day 8c atm. Sad to leave Uluru, it’s a great place, I loved it. We are photographing all the wrecked cars on the side of the road on the way home, there were a lot on the way up! Curtain Springs, fueled up 199.9. Now at Erldunda Roadhouse, lunch, coffee and fuel 196.9. Pretty uneventful trip down the Stuart Hwy, but did see four wedge tailed eagles feasting on the side of the road in two different locations, we are doing a stop over tonight at Marla. Watching the Cats kill the Giants, 93 to 32 Cats by 61.
Sat 05.05.18.
Fueled up 161.5, Marla. Decided not to do the Oodnadatta Track, we are not properly prepared, maybe another time. On the road, a few wedge tailed eagles feeding this morning on the side of the road. First stop Cadney Homestead Roadhouse, interesting place, lots of old pics to check out, picked up a coffee, back on the road, next stop Coober Pedy, a quick look at Toms Mine on the way in, very interesting, lunch, IGA for a nice fresh loaf of bread & lettuce. Fueled up 152.0. 2pm on track, 251ks to Glendambo, fueled up 159.9. Met a Belgium couple, very nice, looking for info on going north, Coober Pedy mainly, we set them straight, then they wanted us to camp with them, wat the! Late afternoon dash for Pimba 110ks, made it safe and well just on dark, we have seen the most WT Eagles within the last 200ks, truly amazing creatures. Long day in the Isuzu, just over 600k today. Currently the Isuzu is using 12.6Lper100ks. I am very happy with that. Spag bog for tea. I saw 23c today.
“SEE SECOND BLOG”