Cooper Pedy to Kulgera

After an uneventful night and with nearly all the washing dry we packed up and headed into the Cooper Pedy c.b.d.

After about half an hour most of which was spent in the fabulous, very informative and free Umoona Opal Mine and Museum we realized that we had seen all we really wanted to see and headed to the IGA to replenish supplies before leaving. At least we can say we’ve been there!

These mounds dot the countryside around Coober Pedy – remains of tunnel digging.

We ended the day at Kulgera Roadhouse – first and last pub in the NT depending on where you are going – we enjoyed a great night including a few very welcome JD and cokes at the pub and a cracking game of table soccer (girls v boys – girls won).

Painted desert to Coober Pedy

Well after waking to a beautiful sunrise at our camp site on the edge of the dried out goorikiana creek about 50km south of oddandatta

We made our way to the painted desert over some serious corrugated road. Once there it was well worth the drive.

After a bit of a walk around it was back in the car and another 100 odd km’s of corrugations and we arrived in Coober Pedy. After pulling in to fuel up we noticed that both safety chains on the trailer had broken links so a few D shackles later and all was good. We made our way to a caravan park for the night. Anna did some washing and The kids had a good play with some other kids in the playground before dinner at the pizza shop at the park which was very good.

Coward Springs to the Painted Desert

After a hearty breakfast

We all enjoyed a dip in the thermal springs

before heading further North West to the Painted Desert via some incredibly nondescript rocky ground just in time for a quick spot of UNO

Coward Springs

With the vague aim of getting past Maree we made it to fabulous Coward Springs on the Oodnadatta Track.

On the way we visited the Leigh Creek coal mine where we saw some very big things

Documented the start of the Oodnadatta Track

Visited some Ghan ruins

And Lake Eyre which seemed to be quite full!

We also spotted some interesting sculptures

Finally we arrived at Coward Springs where we settled in for the night. The showers in particular were divine!

Brachina Gorge drive and the beginning of the desert

Started the day with a drive through the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail. Fantastic picture of 150 million years of geological history that can’t be beaten for natural history buffs. Apologies in advance if this isn’t your bag!

We’re now on the black top heading North, hopefully to camp just north of Maree.

While the weather hasn’t been bad we’re all hoping for some more warmth and less cloud. Rain is not what we’ve been expecting!

Hunter is so excited to be in the desert, finally, this has been his sole goal for months now. Holly has been madly writing in her diary and we’ve been getting a lot of kicks of the soccer ball. Both kids hang out for the nighttime marshmallow roasting ritual and requests to watch Telly are slowly being replaced with stories read aloud and creative games in and around the camp. All good stuff!

Reception from here on in is likely to be patchy so we’ll update when we can.