Central Australia

Upon leaving Coober Pedy we stopped off at Marla for which is the small outback town that is at the beginning/end of the Oodnadatta Track that comes across the desert from Marree. A very popular 4WD venture for those that want an adventure. We just stopped for a coffee break.

Have to say the road has been incredibly great, in really good condition considering the traffic/trucks/roadtrains that run up and down the Stuart Highway from Port Augusta to Darwin. There was one section though that gives you peace of mind, it is a run-way painted onto a straight bit of the highway so that for any emergencies, a plane from the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) can land if required.

The time has come for us to cross the state border into the Northern Territory.

Just another 20 kms we found our nights stop at Kulgera at the roadhouse that had a camp area at the rear, as do most roadhouses, and on the whole they are quite reasonably priced too.

From here it was a relatively short run into Alice Springs for a 2 night stop off. We have previously visited the area of Yulara/Uluru and therefore decided not to go out there again. However, if it had rained, yes we would have gone out to see it 'raining on the rock' - it didn't rain! We stopped at Erldunda Roadhouse at the intersection of the Stuart Highway and Lassiters Highway (the way out to "The Rock') for fuel and noticed on their specials board the following ....

We had a bit of a problem booking in to Alice Springs as it was the day after the Finke Desert Race (an off-road car race through the desert) and a lot of the competitors were still around town and catching their breaths before leaving on their long drives back to their various states. But we managed to secure a site and caught up with our washing etc. and a bit of retail therapy. For Peter that meant going to the supermarket, for me - a couple of fabric shops.

This photo is of the 'gap' at the southern end of Alice Springs of the McDonald Ranges that you drive through.

The very dry Todd River that does not normally run through Alice Springs - there is the odd occasion that it is a raging torrent though.

And of course here is the result of my retail therapy - 25 squares of lovely indigenous fabrics.

On leaving Alice Springs we stopped off to check out the Tropic of Capricorn cairn - we have been at the one on the east coast at Rockhampton in Queensland, now in Central Australia, and hopefully (maybe) next year we shall cross it on the west coast of Western Australia.

From here we continued north along (what seems) the never ending road towards our goal of Darwin.

Along the highway were several roadhouse stop offs including Ti Tree, oh and Barrow Creek, the roadhouse/bar here was something else, with a special 'barman' ....

From here we continued on and found a funny little place - just another roadhouse -  however at Wycliff Well which is supposedly (?) the UFO capital of Australia. Well ...... suffice to say, we did not see anything or anyone untoward.

We continued on at at a stop at the roadhouse at Wauchope, came across this appertising sign!!

Our night's stay at Tennant Creek was uneventful, with us stocking up the pantry with a few essentials. We continued on the next morning passing the intersection called the '3 Ways' which is where the Barkly Highway comes in from Mt Isa in Queensland, and of course the road north to Darwin and the road south to Port Augusta and Adelaide.

This never ending road continued on through Renner Springs, to Elliott and onto Daly Waters for this night's stop.

It was here we met a lovely couple who wee travelling from Victoria and heading for Western Australia, and as each van that booked into the camp ground, we were given a drinks voucher for a beer and a glass of wine - we'll be in that! And on the strength of that, the four of us also had dinner there as well.

The following morning was a sight to behold - a beautiful sunrise about 6.30.

From here we continued on through Larrimah and onto Mataranka. What a busy spot, caravans, camper trailers and every other assortment of conveyance was there and  we wandered into the community market held in the main park. What a gem! Just a tiny community raising money for their Christmas night 'on the town'.

The schoolkids (with their teacher) had a stall selling pieces of jewellery that the kids themselves had made. Then ... there was a stall with a lady who had made some really cute 'caravan purses' for putting anything small in them, but perhaps for your coin for the washing machines you need on the road. They really are cute, and I really, really had to get one. I also bought a Christmas potholder a lady and her grand-daughter had made. Got a bargain here, a potholder that had a recipe printed on the fabric for sugar cookies. Oh yumm!

 

It was also here at Mataranka that we saw the biggest termite nest we have ever seen - Pete says he thinks it maybe in the vicinity of twice as high as him, possibly around 10-12 ft high. Mind you, you see hundreds, no  thousands of them along the roadside.

From a lovely stop-off here in Mataranka, we continued on to Katherine. What a lovely caravan park, the sites were all shady and cool looking. It is the first time we have actually used the air-conditioner in the van - oh it was warm. A special treat awaited us out the back gate too with a 350m walk down to the Katherine Hot Springs. Although they were not 'hot' they were a very comfortable temperature and most enjoyable.

 

Well, with a refreshing dip, a drink and a nice dinner, it is farewell from Central Australia.