Woomera

Tuesday, Mar. 31

South down the Stuart Hwy. Our destination was Woomera for the night. We passed Lake Gairdner and stopped for a shot.

Lake Gairdner

Then set up camp at Woomera in time for another excellent sunset.

Woomera Van Park

Woomera Sunset

The next morning we had a chance to visit the Woomera Rocket Museum. The history of Australians boldly going where no man has gone before, albeit unmanned.

Coober Pedy

The William Creek road runs between William Ck and Coober Pedy. There is truly nothing there.

William Creek Road

We finally arrived at Coober Pedy and checked into the nearest underground motel.

Coober Pedy Underground Motel

Our Room

Coober Pedy Sunset

Oodnadatta Track

Sunday, Mar. 29

From Marree we set off to William Ck but it wasn’t far before we hit trouble again. This time it was Mikes turn to change his forth tyre for the trip.

Mike’s 4th Flat

Colin Avoiding Flys

Curdimurka Railway Station


We then pasted Lake Eyre South hoping to see it full as there had been many accounts of water in the lake but apparently its all in the north of the lake and our end was still dry.

Lake Eyre Empty/Full

Driving further north we passed the Mound Springs. Intriguing mounds formed by artesian springs that have been flowing for centuries and now sit perched on top of hillocks in the middle of the dessert.

Pond Mounds

Blanche Cup

Arriving at William Ck we setup camp and then sprinted to the pub to escape the flys who were trying desperately to carry Jan back to their hideout. We stayed there playing 500 and then for dinner waiting for the sun to set and the flys to dissipate.

First Stage Black Arrow Rocket. Found Anna Ck Station

Sally, Jan, Mike and Colin at the William Ck Pub

Monday, Mar. 30

We woke early,

Sunrise
And headed for Coober Pedy

William Ck Street Sign

Bunyeroo and Brachina Gorges

Saturday, Mar. 28

Off to Marree and the official start to the Oodnadatta Track but before that it’s through the picturesque gorges of Bunyeroo and Brachina.

Bunyeroo Gorge Road

It was along this road that the Goodyears finally failed. Yes, the Prado had it’s first flat for the trip. I’m happy now I bought a second spare in Adelaide.

Chief Mechanic Bruce being assisted by Colin

Brachina Gorge

Flinders Rangers

Thursday, Mar. 26

It was time to head inland again and our first destination is the Flinders Rangers. We headed north up the eastern side of Spencer Gulf past Port Pirie then onto Quorn. Quorn is truly the quintessential Australian Country Towns. A wide main street up the centre, four operating two story pubs on one side and the historic railway station on the other. It’s also a railway enthusiast’s dream as it’s the home of the Pichi Richi historic railway.

Quorn Railway Station and Main Street

Then onto the Flinders Rangers NP for a couple of nights.

The Flinders Rangers

Flinders Rangers NP Campground

Friday, Mar. 27

This was a bushwalking day. Mike and Jan headed up Mt. Ohlssen Bagge while Sally and I took an easier option in to the heart of Wilpena Pound to the old Hill’s Homestead and Wangarra Lookouts.

Hill’s Homestead

Colin and Sally at Wangarra Lookout

On the walk back to camp we stumbled on these interesting caterpillars, heading home I presume, as well.

Caterpillars

Wilpena Pound Walk

Sally’s turn to cook so I left her at camp and drove to Sacred Canyon to check out an Aboriginal rock art site believed to be over 9000 years old.

Sacred Canyon

The Artwork

Finally back to camp for dinner and drinks. Jan said the drinks were for medicimal purposes as Mike evidently tried to kill her taking Jan to the top of Mt. Ohlssen Bagge.

Adelaide

Monday, Mar. 23

#### Adelaide ####

Washing and laundry, to begin with, then off to get the shock absorbers replaced in the camper trailer. That evening, we had arranged to catch up with our old mate Glen (another ex-pat Darwinite) so we forwent dinner and caught a taxi through Adelaide to Glen’s local for bar snacks and a catch up.

Broken Shocky

Colin, Sally, Glen and Melissa

Tuesday, Mar. 24

We wanted to visit the Beerenberg Factory in Handorf as well as catch up with Harry’s mum Nancy while in Adelaide. As time was short, we decided to combine both. After picking Nancy up, we headed for the hills to Handorf for lunch and a tour of Beerenberg. We all went wild with the selection of jams, sauces and preserves and had to force ourselves to leave some stuff for others to purchase.

Sally and Nancy at Beerenberg

After returning Nancy and a year’s supplies home, Sally and I prepared to visit Glen and Georgie (more Darwin ex-pats), where Glen played Grand Master Chef, Roast Dinner, to our delight.

Grand Master Chef, Glen

Glen, Georgie and Colin

Wednesday, Mar. 25

Our last day in Adelaide was mainly spent in preparations for our trip to Cooper Pedy. Groceries and supplies along with a second spare for the car. The Oodnadatta Track’s reputation is not one to be taken lightly.
After this was completed we set off to visit my cousin Leonie for dinner. This time it was Grand Master Chef, Nick, who prepared and excellent lamb shank dinner. We were joined by my auntie, Lois and Nick and Leonie’s daughter Jessica and her new husband Pete.

Lois, Jessica, Nick, Sally, Colin and Leonie

Victor Harbour

Sunday, Mar. 22

Before heading on, we pent the morning exploring Victor Harbour. We spent the morning on Granite Island without getting into another Fairy/Little penguin tourist trap. We did walk the bridge to the island and after all that walking, we caught the horse drawn tram back to Victor Harbour.

Granite Island Bridge (Victor Harbour)

Colin Riding the Horse Drawn Tram

We were heading into Adelaide today but please, whatever you do, don’t mention the Clipsal 500. We drove through Jervis Bay, home of the notorious Kangaroo Island ferry. With a price tag of around $600 for us the car and camper ($900 return to Tasmania) we have decided to give it a big miss and carried on to Adelaide.

Horribly Expensive Ferry

We passed through Brighton Beach be for heading onto Glenelg and West Beach, Adelaide Shores.

Brighton Beach

After tuning in the TV to catch the end of the race, and failing, we called it a night.

The Coorong

Friday, Mar. 20

As we left Robe, we pasted through Kingston, the home of the giant crayfish. We stopped there for lunch and I indulged in a Crayfish Kabab. (Mmmmmmmmmmmmm).

Olive in front of Kingston Giant Crayfish

We then ended up at 42 mile crossing where we set down tent pegs for the night then ventured along the 5km walk to see the ocean. This we could have driven with suitable vehicle preparation but we decided to walk this one.

Sally on the Beach at 42 Mile Crossing

42 Mile Crossing Campsite

Saturday, Mar. 21

Onward to Victor Harbour but before leaving the Coorong we stopped at the old Chinaman’s well to check out what was there. No water….

Chinaman’s Well

The Bottom of Chinaman’s Well

On the way out of the Coorong we found water so grabbed this pick,

The Coorong (West)

Next stop was Wellington where, unlike Kangaroo Island, we caught the free ferry across the Murray River before stopping there for lunch.

Murray River Ferry, Wellington (Free)

Shortly after (after avoiding countless wineries) we arrived in Victor Harbour where we stay in a Van Park. She was a windy night, Thar She Blows.

Robe

Thursday, Mar. 19

Robe is picturesque fishing village tucked in on the south east coast of SA. We did a drive around robe checking out interesting landmarks like the obelisk and the old Robe Gaol. Fairly and uneventful couple of days catching up with laundry and the likes.

Doorway Rock

Robe from Robe Lookout

Piccaninnie Pond, Mt Gambier, Beachport and Woakwine Range

Tuesday, Mar. 18

Today we crossed over into SA proper.

SA Border

We stopped at Piccaninnie Pond were we found the SA Police in force. The rescue squad were doing diving training in the pond and they raved about the ponds viability. We didn’t enter the water as you are suppose to register with conservation commission before swimming, snorkelling or diving.

Police Divers Surfacing in Piccaninnie Pond

We then passed through Mt Gambier, stopping to see the Blue Lake and take on fuel and supplies.

The Blue Lake

Then on to Beachport and driving through the Woakwine Range wind farm and over the

Woakwine cutting.

Woakwine Range Wind Farm

Beachport Jetty

Woakwine Cutting

Finally, onto Robe for 2 nights.