30 April Brachina Gorge. Left Willow Springs and headed north for a short drive to Brachina Gorge where we turned off the main road onto dirt and stopped at the reg kiosk. We drove a few k’s further down the road and got to Trezona camp ground which was by the river – albeit dry – and set up camp for the night. This was another of Tracy’s campsites and turned out great for o’night stop. After we set up camp and had a quick lunch we took off on a stunning drive through the gorge which took us a few hours to complete. It was a trip back in time some 600 million years. The rock formations and colourings were absolutely amazing and you could almost feel the pressure that would have been involved in moving the land vertical in some places. There were spots of ‘ripple rock’ that had once been a sea bed but now were layers of rock in the cliff that looked just like the ripples in the sand of the beach at Hervey Bay. Truly amazing. There was bugger all water through the gorge with only a trickle here and there to drive through. We finished the day with a sunset back at Trezona campground and the boys playing and sliding down the dirt hills.
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| Brachinia Gorge |
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| Brachinia Gorge |
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| Brachinia Gorge |
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| Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby - Brachinia |
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| Yellow Footed Rock Wallaby - Brachinia |
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| Mountains |
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| Ripple rock - Brachinia |
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| Boys being boys |
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| I dont know any of them |
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| Brachinia Gorge camp |
1 May – 3 May Parachilna Gorge We packed up and headed off early from the great gorge and stopped for brekky of bacon and eggs out the back of Bay at a small place called Blinman.We dropped down to the only shop and bought some bread and had a chat to the owner as he fagged out front. We got to discussing the mice problem around the place. He said that people were trying to buy them off him to put in their cars to catch the little critters. After a bit more of a chat we left the place in a cloud of dust and headed for Nuccaleena Mine (ruins).nth west of Blinman. The road was dirt and a bit tedious until we got to the last section of about 20 k’s which turned out to be half decent 4wd stuff. We got to the ruins and had a look around and took a few artsy fartsy photos and we had intended to camp there (my choice) but Tracy took a dislkike to it especially the big ants nest that was on the only flat piece of ground. After a quiet lunch ( I was sulking) we turned around and drove on to a place called Parachilna Gorge which is just East of Parachilna ( funny that). This was Tracy’s pick and as usual it turned out to be a great spot ( I tried not to tell her that though) where we would spend the next few days before we got paid again. Just before you get to P gorge there is a drive through the Glass Gorge which is basically downhill through a river bed which was a really nice drive. Over the next few days we did a bit of school work with the boys and did a pile of washing while it rained. We also ran into the couple that had saved some of the boys schoolwork when it fell off the back of Hervey at Skytrek where I had put it when we had stopped for lunch. Geoff and Carol.
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| Nuccaleena Ruins road |
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| Dead snake |
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| Nuccaleena Ruins |
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| Nuccaleena Ruins |
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| Nuccaleena Ruins |
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| Parachilna Gorge camp |
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| Parachilna Gorge camp |
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| Parachilna Gorge camp |
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| Parachilna Gorge camp |
4 May – 5 May Farina Ruins We had a delayed early departure from the beautiful Parachilna gorge due to an errant mouse in the back of Hervey again. After we dispatched him we drove on to Leigh Creek where we stocked up on fuel, food and water. It’s a very uniform town having been built by BHP in the late 70’s when they found coal in the area. Unfortunately for the townsfolk of the previous Leigh Creek it was right underneath them. Consequently BHP built a complete new town several k’s away so they could dig the stuff up. Ohh to have such power to move atown. After we left the odd Leigh Creek we drove to Farina where we would camp for the next couple of nights. This is the ruins of a small town that was vacated after the railway was of no further use. It was quite a place in its heyday. While we were there a group of volunteers were working on restoring some of the buildings and marking out the old streets. Quite an interesting place. We also ran into Geoff and Carol that had arrived there the same day as we had so had a few drinks with them over the next couple of nights.We got to discussing our plans and found that we were basically heading in the same direction (Oodnadatta Track) as we were unable to go to Innaminka and then onto Birdsville due to the floods up there. We decided that it would be sensible to head along the Oods together for morale and breakdown support if necessary. There was an interesting shower device at Farina called a Donkey. A 44 Gal drum with a fire under it and rocks cemented over it with inlet and outlet water. Light a fire under said Donkey and wait about 20 mins and hey presto you’ve got hot water.
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| Matty Parachilna Gorge |
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| Liam Parachilna Gorge |
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| Drag line - Leigh Creek |
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| Matty Liam |
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| Inside the Drag Line - Leigh Creek |
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| Truck tyre - Leigh Creek |
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| Drag line - Leigh Creek |
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| Dump truck - Leigh Creek |
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| Peg boy |
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| Farina Ruins |
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| Underground Bakery - Farina Ruins |
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| Farina Ruins |
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| Donkey and shower - Farina Ruins |
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| Farina camp |
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| Mail truck - Maree |
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| Ghan Loco - Maree |
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| Into the unknown - Oodnadatta track |
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| Dingo fence - Oodnadatta track |
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| Sculpture - Oodnadatta track |
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| Bikes on the Oodnadatta track |
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| Lake Eyre - Oodnadatta track |
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| Oodnadatta track |
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| Coward Springs |
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| Coward Springs |
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| The Bubbler - Oodnadatta Track |
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| The Family - Coward Springs |
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| Liam's 7th bday - Coward Springs |
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| Liam's 7th bday - Coward Springs |
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| Coward Springs Camp |
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| ABC bay - Lake Eyre |
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| Halligan Bay - Lake Eyre |
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| Hoppinmg mouse - Lake Eyre |
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| Lake Eyre camp |
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| Below sea level - Lake Eyre |
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| William Creek |
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| Mail OKA - Algebuckina Bridge |
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| Algebuckina Bridge |
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| The new look - Algebuckina Bridge |
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| Algebuckina Bridge |
6 May – 7 May We left Farina about 1030 and headed north to start the Oodnadatta track. I would be lying if I said that I was not a bit nervous of doing the track and concerned that Hervey would make the journey.We stopped at Maree which is at the start of the track for fuel and look around. Geoff and Carol were staying there the night and doing a flight over Lake Eyre the next day and we agreed to meet at Coward Springs tomorrow night. We left Maree behind and drove onto Coward Springs which I wasn’t all that impressed with. The campsites were good and they had the cleanest drop dunnies I’ve come across so far but as soon as you enter the gate there’s a little bloke on a bike that rides around to make sure that you have dropped your money in the box.The saving grace of the place was the 29c spring that they had there. The boys loved it . It was also Liam’s 7th bday while we were there and Tracy cooked a cake in the camp oven which turned out to be a great success albeit a bit burnt on top. He enjoyed his camera and money that he got. Geoff and Carol turned up and we had a few drinks that night. During this we arranged to meet at Oodnadatta and travel together to Dalhousie springs in a few days time.
8 May Lake Eyre Halligan’s Bay We left the Coward Spring behind and set off along the track. We headed into Lake Eyre which looked spectacular from the track as we had come up to it over a ridge. We got to Halligan’s Bay via the worst road that I have travelled on so far. Shocking corrugations and dust. On the way we stopped at ABC bay which is meant to be 16M below sea level. Not much there to see. We camped a bit further down the wonderful track at Halligan’s Bay. The mice were psychotic here and kept us awake all night as they endeavoured to get into our now mouse proof tent. Sounded like the little pricks had electric knives and trying to cut their way. We did come across a Hopping Mouse which took quite a shine to Matty as he sat around the fire. Wasn’t as scared as the mice were and came right up beside him several times. There was a couple of other people camping there o’night but not really crowded. The toilets were very neat and clean drop dunnies but still not as clean as the ones at Coward Springs.
9 May – 10 May Algebuckina Bridge. After an eventful night with the mice we packed up and headed out back along the shocker road to the Oodnadatta track and headed west to the Algebuckina Bridge. This bridge is the longest all steel rail bridge in SA. Heaps of flies and had to break out the fly net hats. Geoff and Carol turned up late in the PM after having driven into Peake Falls just to find that there isn’t any camping there.We went for a drive over a nearby hill to Rock Hill. We went for a walk up this hill where we had a look over the surrounding country side. After we got back down from the hill we got into Hervey and started to drive off. The low water sensor alarm kindly installed by my brother Ian went off but I didn’t worry about it as Hervey had been on a slope and the alarm soon stopped. We drove back through our camp and headed along the rail line when the alarm again went off . I decided that I better have a look and as I looked under Hervey I saw a horrible sight of green water coming from the back of the motor. After my heart started and several minutes of frantic searching I found the problem – A pissy little hose clamp on the hose leading into the back of the motor had broken and after replacing it we were back into action. I became a bit concerned that all the probs of Hervey and his head were back and wasn’t sure about the upcoming trip. I got back to camp and tightened up all the clamps and checked everything that I could.
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| Algebuckina Bridge |
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| Oodnadatta Racecourse |
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| Oodnadatta |
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| Pink roadhouse ( overrated ) - Oodnadatta |
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| Painted Desert |
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| Painted Desert |
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| And they said there was only one Hervey |
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| Racing Bauers - Oodnadatta racecourse |
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| Where to go? |
11 May Oodnadatta Race course We packed up and headed off for Oodnadatta. We decided to stop at some ruins on the side of the road and low and behold as we drove in the low water alarm went off again. I got out and had a look only to find more green water running out . This time the pissy little clamp on the other end of the hose had broken. After replacing it and topping it up with water again we left with a very concerned Tony behind the wheel. We got down the road a bit and the alarm went off again. After a stop and topping the water up again we were on the road again and touch wood the alarm hasn’t gone off again. As I said to Tracy I will never doubt the alarm again and check immediately if it goes off. Thanks again to Ian for the installation.We got to Oodnadatta and drove past the race course on our way in and went to have alook. There was a pop up caravan in the paddock but no cars around the place. We drove over to the shed and found a water tank which I borrowed some water for our tanks and we were full again for the next leg of our journey. We drove into Oods and again found Geoff and Carol who were camping at the Pink Roadhouse van park for the night. We decided to go to the Painted Desert and have a look. It was an overcast day and although spectacular would have been much more impressive on a blue sky day. As we still had time in the day we decided to drive back to Oods and stay there the night. We arrived back and set up at the race course where we had a chat to the owner of the pop up who also owned a Patrol 2.8 the same as Hervey. The boys had a great time playing on the playground at the course .
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| Fogarty Claypan - Nth Oodnadatta |
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| Track to Dalhousie Springs |
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| Dalhousie Ruins |
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| Dalhousie Springs Camp |
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| Sunset Dalhousie Camp |
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| Dalhousie Springs |
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| Dalhousie Springs |
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| Bloods Creek windmill |
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| Mt Dare roadhouse |
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| NT / SA border |
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| NT the no fun state |
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| Finke |
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| Saying goodbye at Finke |
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| Lambert Centre |
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| Plaque |
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| Kulgera camp |
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| ? |
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| ? |
15 15MayKulgera Roadhouse We left Dalhousie after a quick packup and a final swim in the springs. We drove to Mt Dare and bought a frypan and hat for Liam.The frypan has turned out to be a real beauty – made by Hillbilly Australia. The road was rough but nothing to extreme. We got to Finke and Geoff and Carol tried to get some fuel for their continued trip up to Chambers Pillar. Unfortunately it was Sunday so everything that was there was closed. I ended up swapping him my generator fuel for some beers. We parted company after several enjoyable days of travel together. We continued on to the Lambert’s Centre – the geographical centre of Australia. Took a few phots and headed back out to get to Kulgera for the night. It was a long drive getting into the early evening and with a quick excursion to get bogged in a dry river bed we finally made the Kulgera roadhouse after dark with one very tired and grumpy driver.
16 May Yulara campground We left Kulgera and drove to Yulara campground where we set up camp for the night at the exorbitant price of $50-.We got some amazing views of Mt Connor and Ayres Rock on the way in. We had some showers and I came across an advert in the dunnies for a job at the local camel place. It was after someone who could weld and do some odd jobs like building camel ramps. I gave them a ring and unfortunately the job had gone but we were welcome to bring the boys around the next day to have alook at the camels if we liked.
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| Bloody big echidna - Eununda roadhouse |
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| Towards the rock |
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| Mt onner |
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| Yulara Camp |
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| Yulara camp |
17 May – 18 May Telstra Tower west of Uluru NP border. We packed up ( bit like groundhog day sometimes) and headed over to the camel farm about 5 mins drive away where we met a bloke by the name of Mark. I told him that I had called about the job last night and found out that it had already gone. He invited us through and offered the boys a ride on the camels which they took up as well as Tracy. Really nice bloke and would recommend his camel rides if anyone is in the neighbourhood. After the camel ride we went to the cultural centre which turned out to be very interesting. We then took a walk around the west end of the rock from the climb carpark after which we headed out to the camp for the next night. Telstra tower about 10 k’s west of the western border of Uluru NP on the road to WA. We had a great view of the olgas and a full moon coming up over them. Absolutely fantastic place and a great free camp spot albeit a bit rocky. And no mice which made it even better.The next day we went to the Olgas and did a couple of walks around them which was really fantastic and a great place to see. We ended the day back at Telstratower for the night with another big moon over the Olgas.
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| Ayres Rock |
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| Camel Ride |
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| Camel Ride |
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| Camel Ride |
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| Camel Ride |
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| Camel Ride |
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| Food comes a bit late |
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| The Rock |
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| The Rock |
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| The Rock |
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| 5 banded brown snake about 30 cm |
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| The Rock |
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| The Rock |
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| The Rock |
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| The Rock |
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| Chinook at the Rock |
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| The Rock |
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| The Olgas from Telstra |
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| Hervey and Bay at Telstra Olgas in b'ground |
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| The Family with Olgas and moon |
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| Fire and moon and Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| Family at the Olgas |
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| Hervey at the Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| AOlgas |
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| Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| Olgas |
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| The Rock |
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| Hervey and the Brain |
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| The Family and the Brain |
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| The Brain |
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| The Rock |
19 May – 20 May Curtin Springs We packed up from Telstra and headed back to the rock where we took a walk with one of the rangers and an aboriginal guide. Went around the eastern side from the climb carpark and had a look at some of the caves there. We went from there to the other side of the rock and had a bit of a walk there before heading to our next camp at Curtin Springs. This place was extremely expensive $7- for a loaf of bread $2.27 l for diesel $18 for hamburger with the works. The only saving grace for this place was the free camping there. The mental mice and the weaning cows across the road were no extra. We spent a day doing some school work and a few loads of washing.
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| Curtain Springs camp |
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| Mt Conner |
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| NT Cannonball run Plaque |
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| Finally here |
21 May to Present (24 May) Alice Springs We left Curtin Springs behind thankfully and headed via Eununda where we filled up and headed to Alice Springs where we were going to stay with our friend from TI - Deb. And here we are
Had a great few days here and will continue onto Kings Canyon in the next few days.
