Central Australia 2014 - Day 19 Loxton to Home Sweet Home! 655km

Early in the morning Russell, Reda & Jack went to a mate’s place to pick up a new roof rack.

Afterwards we said our farewells and split up as Reda, Mrs. Reda, Jack, Roadtrain & Rose headed off one way & Russell, Princess Fiona, Flora & Bloom set of in another direction.

6,500km later, it was a great adventure

Footnote: In case you’ve been wondering why push-ups featured in this blog, it was not some kind of fitness camp. We were playing the ‘game of life’.  Everytime someone answered a question with the word ‘mine’ they had to do 10 pushups.  

Central Australia 2014 - Day 18 Farina to Loxton 734km

We left bright and early.  As it was raining and freezing cold we didn’t do much sight seeing.  We saw open cut mines as we passed Leigh Creek.  We saw lots of Emus as we followed the Flinders Ranges. Lunch was at Peterborough.  At Morgan we crossed the Murray River by ferry then drove to Loxton where we spent the night.

Fact: At the height of the river trade, from the 1880's to 1910, Morgan was the busiest inland port in Australia.

Central Australia 2014 - Day 17 Farina

Rest day!  After a frosty night and a sleep in, everyone was feeling good.

We went and explored the old ruins and buildings at Farina.  The highlight was the Underground Bakery which was baking bread and other delicious treats!  Morning tea consisted of cream buns, finger buns, custard tarts and apple scrolls!  The sausage rolls, pies and bread was also delicious!

Margaret showed us the Scotch Oven and explained how it worked.  We had a turn at using the paddle and saw how bread was baked in the oven. 

We enjoyed a warm shower, heated by a Donkey!

In the Underground Bakery

Stew being cooked for tea

Central Australia 2014 - Day 16 Oodnadatta to Farina

We continued our journey following the Old Ghan Railway all the way to Farina, stopping at various sidings and landmarks along the way.  Today we saw more animals than usual including a dingo, horses, camels, sheep and lots of cattle.

We saw the longest bridge in South Australia. 

At William Creek Reda and Mrs Reda bumped into some friends.  They had lost a tyre from their caravan along the way, so we kept an eye out for it but didn’t find it. 

We passed Anna Creek Station - the world’s biggest cattle station.  It is 23,777sq km (5,873,000 acres).  About the size of Wales, Israel.  It would take you a week to ride across it on horseback.   Anna Creek Station is so big it can be having a drought at one end and pouring down rain on the other. 

We stopped at Coward Springs for lunch.  We paid our entrance fee ($2 for adults and $1 for children) and went in with the intention of enjoying a hot spa.  However, the spa was not much bigger than a bath tub.  Very disappointing in comparison to Dalhousie Springs.  After the blokes had a look at the museum we got out of there as quickly as possible.

At Curdimurka Ruin Jack, Flora, Bloom and Rose each did 10 push-ups on the Old Ghan Railway. 

Quiz Question: Is it possible to do 10 push-ups 12 metres below sea level without getting wet or holding your breath?

Answer: Yes!  At Lake Eyre South lookout that’s exactly what we did!    

Just before Maree we passed the Wild Dog Fence; the longest fence in the world.  We stopped for fuel and fresh bread at Maree.  Princess Fiona had been looking forward to the bread the whole trip and was not disappointed!

We pushed through to Farina, a campground Russell’s family had visited 4 years ago, and set up camp.

Lake Eyre South

Old Ghan Railway

Lake Eyre South Push Ups 12m Below Sea Level

   

Central Australia 2014 - Day 15 Dalhousie Springs Oodnadatta

The morning was cool but the water was not.  All nine of us had a long swim before breakfast.   We all enjoyed the Springs so much we wanted to stay another night.  However, we decided to leave after lunch and head to Oodnadatta.  The kids fitted in a lunch time swim before we left. 

We visited the Dalhousie Station Ruins.  Dalhousie Station was South Australia’s most northern pastoral lease.  The land was used to graze and breed sheep, goats, horses, camels and cattle. Other more experimental agricultural crops such as date palms and Lucerne were also trialled. 

We stopped at Oodnadatta at the Pink Roadhouse before setting up camp at North Creek.

Dalhousie Spring

Dalhousie Spring

Dalhousie Homestead

The Pink Road House

Central Australia 2014 - Day 14 Chambers Pillar to Dalhousie Springs

An early start and Reda passed a comment that it was the hardest driving he has ever done, as we were driving due east into the blazing sun.

We took a short cut that took us back to the Heritage Old Ghan Railway track.  Reda was really happy because we were actually driving along the Old Ghan Railway line in places - toot toot!!

On parts of the track the Finke Dessert Racetrack also came onto the road, so we drove along the race track in parts also.  We spotted three donkeys along the way.

We crossed the border into South Australia and headed through Witjira National Park to Mt Dare for lunch.  We had a look inside the Mt Dare hotel.  There were lots of stubbie holders and hats hanging from the roof as well.  There were some beautiful paintings.

After some advice from fellow traveller, we took the smoother road to Dalhousie Springs.  At Dalhousie Springs, we set up camp and relaxed in the 37◦C hot ponds.  They were AWESOME! 

Fast Facts

Dalhousie Springs are like a large upside-down shower rose discharging water from the Great Artesian Basin through approximately 80 holes called mound springs.

Water from Queensland and the Northern Territory soaks underground and travels here slowly under layers of hard rock.  The high temperatures of the earths core heat the waters of the artesian basin.  It takes some water up to 3 million years until it can escape to the surface through rock faults as springs.

The water that flows out from the springs has many minerals dissolved in it.  As the water evaporates the minerals are left behind as solids. Over time they accumulate with the ancient sand and clay to form mounds around the spring outlets.

For thousands of years the springs have been the only natural source of permanent water in the desert. 

Water Tank for Ghan Railway

Somewhere near Mt Dare

At the South Australia and Northern Territory Boarder

Central Australia 2014 - Day 13 Alice Springs to Chambers Pillar 163km

We drove to Anzac Hill and walked up to the top.  Unfortunately the Royal Flying Doctor Service was closed today because of the public holiday for the Alice Springs Show. 

Heading south towards Chambers Pillar we had lunch on the edge of the Finke Desert Racetrack.

The road into Chambers Pillar was extremely rough and washed out in places.  At a lookout about 10km from Chambers Pillar we decided to turn around as the track was too rough for Russell’s caravan.  We found a campsite and set up for the night.   

Camp near Chambers Pillar

ANZAC Hill

Alice Springs

What A View

Central Australia 2014 - Day 12 Day trip East MacDonnell Ranges via Arltunga 250km

We left the campers at the Park and set off for a day trip to the East MacDonnell National Park.

At Arltunga Station we saw the old homestead ruins. 

Afterwards we went to the Arltunga Police Station and locked Russell and Reda in – only problem is they managed to escape!

N’Dhala Gorge was the last stop of the day.  We even found several water crossings to play in!

Arltunga Station Homestead

Arltunga Police Cell - Reda and Russell inside

Arltunga Police Station

Creek Crossing East MacDonnell Ranges

Central Australia 2014 - Day 11 Alice Springs

After some very big days everyone was ready for a rest day and a sleep in.

We went to the School of the Air – the world’s largest classroom.  It was very interesting to learn about how students of the outback of the learn using modern technology.

Back at the caravan park the playground, jumping pillow, games room and pool filled in the rest of the afternoon.

Quilt work done by School of the Air Students

Artwork completed by School of the Air Students

Mrs Reda and Reda trying to complete their class work.
Hurry Up!

Outside The School of the Air

Central Australia 2014 - Day 10 Redbank Gorge to Alice Springs 130km

Once again we were up early and on the road for a day of walking. First stop was Glen Helen Gorge.  A short walk to see the Gorge – due to the water level of the Gorge we were unable to proceed to the other sights.  Princess Fiona and Mrs Reda were rather pleased about the walk being cut to 0.7km.

It was then onto Ormiston Gorge where we enjoyed the Ghost Gum Walk and the 150 odd steps to the lookout!  Russell, Reda, Flora and Jack enjoyed returned via a more challenging route along the bottom of the gorge.

At the Ochre Pits we looked at the various colours in the rock walls and learnt how the colour was removed from the rock and then used for painting the body and healing body by aboriginals.

Standley Chasm was our lunch stop and after paying a hefty price of $25 entry per family we walked the 1.2km to observe straight rock walls with a Ghost Gum at the entrance. While this was an interesting site, we all agreed it was not very good value.

Our last stop was Simpsons Gap. It was a short walk into the Gap where a body of water still remained.  We were more impressed with Simpsons Gap than Standley Chasm.

It was then onto Alice Springs, where we found out that the 1^st July is Territory Day.  This is the only day of the year one can purchase and set off fireworks. The evening was spent watching fireworks. Not a bad way to end a day.

Central Australia 2014 - Day 9 Kings Creek Station to Redbank Gorge 250km

What better way to start the day than with a camel ride at Kings Creek Station? Well Flora, Bloom and Rose rode Daisy while Roadtrain had a ride on Tess.  Jackson only just broke in the camels from the wild.  We were fortunate to meet 80 year old camel whisperer Norm who has been visiting from South Australia and giving Jackson a hand to break in the camels.  Norm told us all about camels, that they chew their cud like cattle, that they spit because they can't be bothered chewing it all, that they sleep lying down, that they prefer to eat shrubs than grass.  Norm had lived in the Northern Territory for over 60 years & is a well-known identity and legend.  We believe he started the camel races many years ago. 

Bloom having a ride on Daisy

Norm (left) and Jackson (right)

Left Kings Creek Station and travelled the Mereenie Loop Road. This was 155km of rough and corrugated dirt road.  Our first stop was Gosse Bluff (Tnorala) to view one of the most studied meteorite impacts in Australia.  It was then onto Redbank Gorge, though we had to stop for Princess Fiona to have a close up encounter with WILD CAMELS.  Camp was at Woodlands campground. With camp set up we undertook our last walk for the day into Redbank Gorge.  This was a pleasant stroll along the river bed.

View from Mereenie Loop Road Lookout

Gosse Bluff from above

Princess Fiona was on the Lookout

WILD CAMELS (Princess Fiona was extatic)

Redbank Gorge

It finally happened and Princess Fiona was the first to meet and greet some people she knew from back home.

Central Australia 2014 - Day 8 Kings Canyon

Today we went to Kings Canyon; we completed a 6.5km hike around the rim of the Canyon.  It was up and down lots of rock steps and included a visit to The Garden of Eden.  We then visited the Kings Canyon Resort.  Russell, Reda, Jack and Roadtrain completed the Kathleen Springs walk, while Princess Fiona, Mrs. Reda, Rose, Bloom and Flora all went back to camp.

Kings Canyon

View from rim of Kings Canyon

Flora and Bloom at the Garden of Eden

Bridge on the rim walk around Kings Canyon

Central Australia 2014 - Day 7 Uluru to Kings Creek Station 274Km

Today started with an early 10km walk around Uluru for Reda, Mrs. Reda, Princess Fiona, Jack, Roadtrain and Rose.  Meanwhile Russell, Bloom & Flora decided to take up the more challenging walk for the morning and climbed Uluru.  While at the top Bloom lost a loose tooth!  Interestingly the rock climbers beat the base walkers back! 

With our morning exercise over we were on our way to Kings Creek Cattle Station, where we would be camping for the next two nights.

Fast Fact: Uluru (Ayers Rock) is Australia's most recognisable icon.  It is 348 meters high; however most of its mass is below ground level.  It is a profound and culturally significant monolith in Australia. 

Bloom on top of Ayers Rock

Flora on top of Ayers Rock

Central Australia 2014 - Day 6 Uluru and Kata Tjuta also known as The Olgas

Today we got up before sunrise so that we could watch it rise over Uluru.  It was then onto the Olgas to complete the 7.5km walk through the Valley of The Winds.   

Fast Fact: The Olgas is a formation of 36 rock domes extending 6 meters into the ground and is the remains of erosion that began more than 500 million years ago. 

Central Australia 2014 - Day 5 Curtain Springs to Uluru 100km

Today we still had an early start even though Uluru (Ayers Rock) was only 1 hour and 40 minutes away.  We stopped at a lookout, where we could see Ayers Rock.  From here we drove to Yulara and set up camp.

Later in the morning Russell, Reda, Roadtrain, Jack and Rose climbed Uluru.  This was followed by a swim back at camp to cool off.  Russell, Princess Fiona, Rose, Flora & Bloom went to see a Wakagetti Aboriginal cultural dance performance.  The day concluded with watching the sunset over Uluru, turning the rock a beautiful bright red colour.  This was a highlight of the trip and a must see for anyone going to Uluru.

Fast Fact: 'Wakagetti' means dance. 

Central Australia 2014 - Day 4 Coober Pedy to Curtain Springs 650km

Today it was the earliest start so far. Our first stop was Marla which is the last stop in South Australia.  After a little while Princess Fiona spotted the first camel of our trip (even if it was being transported in a trailer!) We then stopped at the border of South Australia and the Northern Territory.  Then after a while we arrived at Curtain Springs cattle station, about 100km from Uluru. Curtain Springs Station is owned by the Severin Family and within the Station is Mount Connor.

We made the Border

Curtain Springs Station with Mt Connor in the distance