Oonadatta Track

After stocking up at Port Augusta we headed further north, this time we, or should I say I, wanted to revisit some of the attractions on the Oodnadatta Track so we headed up through the Flinders Ranges. It's a nice drive north having the colours of the range to the right especially with the afternoon sun reflecting on the mountain range.

Flinders Ranges at Parachilna

Our first night was at Farina (est 1878), 25 km north of Lyndhust and our first section of dirt road. We had previously stayed here in September 2014 on our way to Adelaide after the Birdsville races. It was a lot dryer and more dustier (no green grass) this time but still a good overnight stop. I took the opportunity to take some sunset photos of the town, always a good photo opportunity.

Parked outside the information board with the Transcontinental Hotel across the road.

The Farina ruins at sunset

Next morning we got away early enough to make it to Marree another 54km north for coffee. The only place we could find a coffee was at the General store / service station. We didn't have a lot of faith in the quality of coffee we could expect, however it was a great coffee strong to our liking served in a white mug!

Inside the general store at Marree
 The photo's on the wall are from Julie Fletcher, a local photographer I follow in Instagram #julie_fletcher_photography_

Mutonia Sculpture Park, Alberrie Creek

 After coffee we headed off on the Oodnadatta Track towards William Creek another 205 km. Our first stop was "Plane Henge" or Mutonia Sculpture Park, Alberrie Creek, 53 km west of Marree.  The sculpture park is the creation of artist Robin Mutoid, who collects "junk" and turns it into sculptures. He ventures up from Victoria each year and creates a new piece of art.

Different view from the air.

The water tank sculpture made into "The big dog", his head is a car body.

The planes were stood up using manual labour and I understand were the first sculptures at the park.

From the sculptures we continued west stopping at  Lake Eyre South lookout, where we thought we could see water flowing in from the north. We had lunch here but as the flies had become "friendly" we sat in the van.  Only a short distance further along the track we stopped at Curdimurka rail siding, dating from 1880 is the last remaining station yard of significant left intact on the Old Ghan Line.

View of Lake Eyre South

Curdimurka Rail Siding, used from 1986 until 1990's for the Curdimurka Outback Ball.
Unfortunately the Curdimurka Outback Ball isn't held anymore.

The Curdimurka Water Tank and tower.

Called into see 'The Bubbler' in the Wabma Kadarbu Mound Spring Conservation Park and part of the Lake Eyre Supergroup.  It has the highest discharge of any individual spring in the Lake Eyre Supergroup and the spring is called 'the Bubbler'  because it has been known to 'erupt' every so often. With millions of flies I also visited another spring called 'Blanche Cup' which does not appear to erupt as often as 'the Bubbler'.  Entry/Exit road was very rough and corrugated.

The Bubbler,
if you look closely you can just see a bubble coming to the surface.

Blanche Cap

Drove onto Coward Springs where we stayed the night and enjoyed the spa.  Night was quite warm and very still.  Mosquitoes were very vicious! Helen not impressed as quite a bit of dust in the Van!

Coward Springs hot tub, a pleasant relief from the flies.

Oonadatta Track
Helen not impressed with the amount of dust getting in the van.

Optus, yes
Helen was impressed with having mobile service and I didn't.

Set up at the William Creek Caravan Park then turned the air con on and sat inside for majority of the time.  Very warm outside and millions of flies. I booked in for a Scenic Flight over Lake Eyre next day, subject to having other booking to share the flight with.

William Creek Pub

After booking the flight we also decided to have a pub meal that night, we enjoyed a good Pub meal then back to the van as quick as possible to avoid the mozzies!  The next day I had my flight over Lake Eyre in the morning, (refer to separate blog).  In the afternoon I went to get diesel and when paying for it in the Pub I met Helen's nephew Bruce who was flying with 9 mates from Tintinara to Birdsville and was calling in for lunch on their way home.  Went back and picked up Helen who got a huge surprise! Unbelieveable the people you come across in the most remote places.

Pub dinner and a SA beer - West End Draught

Surprise face in the pub.

We left William Creek early the next day and turned off the Oonadatta track to head for Coober Pedy and the bitumen road, only 168 km away. The road was generally good however there were a couple of bull dust holes to watch out for, one in particular was about 30 metres long and when we went through the dust fell onto the car and caravan like talcum powder. However all was good when we arrived in Coober Pedy and  had the opportunity to clean the car and van. :)

Helen has put her foot down and told me this is the last time we take the Caravan (our home) along rough 'tracks'!!

The dust was inside and out from the Oodnadatta Track.

Leaving Adelaide

From Pt Moorowie travelled to Auburn, a small town in the southern edge of the Clare Valley in the mid-north of South Australia, where we stayed for 4 nights.  Always great to stay at this small Caravan Park and enjoy Eric and Helen's hospitality.  Drove to Pt Willunga Caravan Park where we stayed for 10 days and enjoyed days at the beach and our final catch up with friends and family.  From Pt Willunga drove to Windsor Gardens Caravan Park for a week to catch up with friends and family, then off to my brother's home at Tea Tree Gully to housesit and look after their puppy 'Trixie' for approx 3 weeks.  During this time we were able to have the Caravan serviced,  Doctor appointments, spend time with family and friends and squeeze a few massages in from a very good local Masseuse.

After our housesit we went back to McLaren Vale for 3 nights where we caught up with Todd and Tenelle for a couple of hours (they flew down for an Engagement Party) then went to the Food and Wine Twilight @ McLaren Vale which was a nice evening.  I drove back to Windsor Gardens Caravan Park while Helen stayed at her sisters place for a few days, helping her pack up things to move into a new home in a Retirement Village in McLaren Vale.

Whilst in Adelaide we attended the Women's AFL Grand Final between the Crows and Carlton.  With over 52,000 in attendance, good football and a win to the Crows, was a great feeling to be apart of this event at Adelaide Oval.  I was lucky enough to be given a Members Ticket to the Crows v Geelong night match, also at the Adelaide Oval.   Was great to catch up with family and friends and always sad to say goodbye but at the same time we are certainly ready to get back on the road again.

After being in South Australia for nearly 5 months it's time to escape before it gets too cold and head north. Our first stop was along the Murray River at Younghusband where we stayed with my sister together with my brother for a few days. This gave us the opportunity to have a good chat before venturing up to the Territory.

Early morning mist on the mighty Murray River 

This kookaburra would fly in around meal time, very friendly

Happy hour around the campfire at Younghusband

Of course I had to play with my drone

Bacon and egg breakfast on the upper deck 

From Younghusband we traveled via Waikerie to look at the silo art and stayed at Morgan Riverside Caravan Park, on the Murray River for the night. Great spot and very appealing as it was a warm afternoon and the shady trees and green grass were appreiated.

Pelicans by Garry Duncan at Waikerie

Regent Parrot by Jimmy Dvate

The Silo Art at Waikerie - Regent Parrot, Yabby and Pelicans

From Morgan we travelled through Burra (very dry and sheep were so thin) to the Princes Highway and up to Port August where we stocked up with food and stayed the night at Shoreline Caravan Park.