Day 3, Wednesday 29/6/2016, Olary Creek to Coober Pedy

Olary Creek did not disappoint with -5 degrees C this morning. There is ice on everything! Up at 0630hrs for a huge day of driving. It was lovely being up for sunrise. Jack and Siân got the pack up speed award today. They were done before the sun rose and before Jordan even emerged from her swag! Poor Jordan, she has a headache today.

Jack now has the Fawlty Towers award and may well lose the packup award as he leant his weight on the kitchen bench which collapsed. A billy of boiling water fell (lucky Siân had moved). All of the pots, mugs and other dishes fell into the newly made red mud from the billy water. Col wiped the mud off things while I washed everything in hot soapy water and Jack dried. It put our camp packup back by 20 minutes, but still done on time.

Eliza and Amara were bugging their quite tense parents and each other so I took Amara for a walk up the railway track which she loved as she's not allowed up there. Then I took the two of them for a short walk up the creek bed. We chucked a left and found Col packing up the dunny. The girls and I planted some seeds over the spot where we left our fertilizer. We planted a poop tree!

Leah and Gary again want us to go ahead of them saying they'll only be 20 minutes behind us and will meet us at Peterborough. I'm reluctant to split up again as it's best to all stick together, but again, with their faster car, not yet desert and the pressure being taken off them we decided to go ahead.

It's $164 per couple for two nights accommodation and a mine tour at Riba's in Coober Pedy. I'm wondering if we'll be able to get to it as the couple from last night told us that William Creek Road was closed. We waited at Peterborough for the others. They took about an hour longer than we hoped. I don't think we'll get there before 7pm.

Jack enjoyed driving over the Flinders Ranges with the fun curves. We took the usual photo at the lookout being the 4th one that we've done.

After filling our fuel tanks in Port Augusta we had to push on as we are running so late. Leah is upset that she couldn't get some groceries at Port Augusta and says she has nothing for tea.

We had a quick sandwich stop on the Stuart Highway. There are police everywhere doing alcohol and drug testing. While pulled over a whole convoy of police cars, bikes and horses went past. Apparently they're expecting a rowdy demonstration at Roxby Downs in the next few days against the dumping of nuclear waste.

We pulled over at another lookout with the best views along the Stuart Highway of a salt pan (currently more a lake) for a quick photo. Morgans/Davies didn't stop so we've lost them again. I'm not sure what they're planning or how we'll find them. I think they know where the accommodation is. It's on the itinerary, but it's a bit tricky as it's out of town in a working mine.

Yay, we ended up finding them 60km south of our destination. They had gone to a roadhouse at the Woomera turnoff. We've only seen galahs, sheep and emus today.

Arriving at Riba's Underground Camping and Rooms, 15 minutes late for our booked and paid for mine tour, plan B was required. Swapping tonight's tour with tomorrow's John's Pizza night is perfect as it covers Leah's lack of food and the fact that we're too tired to cook or go on a tour. So as it turns out, we are back having pizza in the same place exactly 4 years later, to the day! Happy birthday Fiona!

Amara felt sick at dinner and there were a few long faces after such a long couple of days. I'm sure they're thinking "when does this get fun?" Just with our time limits it's worth working hard to get to the middle quick to have more time at the highlights. Sorry guys. Gary ordered the "Coat of Arms" pizza and Jack and Siân had kangaroo on their pizzas.

After our showers we went to bed in our rooms underground and I certainly didn't read for long tonight.

Day 2, Tuesday 28/6/2016, Meadowglen (near Cobar) to Olary Creek (near Peterborough)

Our alarms were set for 0630hrs. I woke at 0100hrs and didn't get back to sleep until 0500hrs. Night duty has ruined me. Thank goodness for my kindle! We made our planned pack up time of 0800hrs but Morgan /Davies crew still had tents up and breakfast underway. They asked that we head off and they'll catch us later in the day. We agreed this time as we had planned to go to Wilcania school for Jordan to look around, they drive faster than us, we're not yet in the desert and they were getting stressed and needed the pressure taken off them. We'll spend a bit of time at the school and hanging around the Darling River, so hopefully they will easily catch up.

Saw a fox, 3 emus, herds of goats, sheep, kangaroos, cows and crows. Before crossing the bridge over the Darling River into Wilcania we turned to the left to visit St Theresa Catholic Infant School. Jordan might be coming here in November for a 1 month prac. She got a private tour of the school. It's gorgeous and so are the kids. I said hello to Lisa's friend. Apparently I didn't need to let her know we're sisters.

Did our usual fuel top up at Wilcania 132L $168 at the BP that was recommended by locals. 12L/100 is our current fuel economy. We did a photo shoot by the Darling River. Jordan and Siân came for a walk with me to check out the art gallery in a little sandstone building. Very cute. The café near the park is doing a thriving business. Still no Davies/Morgans and not answering on the CB. They're probably ahead by now. There is no OPTUS reception in Wilcania. Jordan will struggle if she stays here!

Had lunch at the roadside before Broken Hill. Finished the avocado. No fruit to chuck out. The kids will need petrol at Broken Hill. Saw some more emus and a kite. The kid's fuel consumption is down to 15.2L/100km (down from 17) with the air conditioner now off. We finally heard from the others. Just as we were leaving Broken Hill they were arriving, so we pulled over to wait and everyone did lots of catching up on messenger.

There is a plethora of emus past Broken Hill and the South Australian border. It is flat, treeless and shrubless land all the way to the Flinders off in the distance to the west. Saw some cockatoos. I'm soooo tired. We'll get there 1615hrs NSW time (1545hrs SA time). 8hrs in total today.

Olary Creek is as pretty as ever. The kids and I always have fun exploring the creek bed and old railway pillars. We found a horse, then Jordan, Jack and Siân played 'Stand by Me' on the railway bridge! Col set the dunny up for the first time and we all enjoyed the creek, train track, pillars, trees and starry sky views from the throne. Siân is so desperate to not do the dishes that she and Jack plan to cook tea tonight. Sausages on the Biji BBQ with veggies and mashed potato (in which Siân added parmesan, yum).

Another couple joined us at our fire and contributed to the firewood, along with some that we brought from home, and we had a wonderful warm fire. The stars in the ink black sky were again amazing. So many!! With Col and I doing the dishes and me being so exhausted I skipped the night photography and just snuggled by the fire for a bit.

Morgans/Davies are a bit frazzled having taken 2.5hrs to pack up camp this morning. They're changing their tactics and putting up smaller, quicker tents tonight.

Everyone is relaxed and happy now, tummies full and having a drink by the fire.

Day 3, Saturday 23/06/2012, Olary Creek to Mt Ive Station

True to form, Olary Creek was a freezing  -2°C last night! Everything had a white coating of ice and poor Jamie was crying with aching, frozen fingers while having brekkie.  Finally I had a decent sleep last night. The first one for 3 nights. Thank goodness I’m on the mend!  It was lovely to enjoy a walk along the creek bed at sunrise with Fiona and the kids.

 

After stopping at Oodla Wirra to throw out our vegetable scraps at the quarantine station, we stopped at Peterborough for morning tea. It is a lovely old railway town from the 19^th century. The kids had fun playing on the old steam engine, the women photographing old buildings. I managed to update my blog, and received a text message off Leah about her photo not winning, but voted popular choice! Well done Leah.

Jordan is now driving us into the Flinders Ranges. We left earlier than the others as her speed limit is lower.

We took our third photo of Jordan and Jack at the Flinders Ranges lookout. The first one being 10 years ago and one 2 years ago.

We had to go grocery shopping at Port Augusta, especially for fruit and vegetables. The park in the town square made a great place to have some lunch while the kids, large and small let loose in the playground.

Fiona and I found some Sturt Desert Peas to practice photographing. Unfortunately we didn’t get away from here until 3pm, making for a late arrival at Mt. Ive Station.

Woohoo, nothing but sightseeing tomorrow, 4WDing and great scenery!

It was a fast 80km/hr drive along the dirt road to the station. It’s an extremely well maintained dirt road. The biggest challenge was avoiding the plethora of animals at dusk. Sheep, goats, kangaroos, emus and a fox. The Gawler Ranges were bathed in an orange glow from the sunset.

There was only one other person in the campsite, in a caravan, but several Asian students were staying in the shearers quarters.

It cost us around $140 for 2 nights plus all sightseeing. It gets you mud maps of the 4WDing and a key to the gate for Lake Gairdner.

We set up around a beautiful group gazebo with light, table, chairs and BBQ. We enjoyed hot showers from the “donkey” heater and found out Peter’s battery was dead again!
Bruce and Col did a bit of a check, and all we can say is “Great Job boys from Tamworth”.  The correct sized cable sudden stopped short and went to ¼ size and wasn’t even soldered, only taped.

A repair job coming on in Ceduna.  How handy to have jumper leads and an electrician on board.

Day 2, Friday 22/06/2012, Boppy Hill to Olary Creek

I’m still not well. I slept until 1.30am, then lay awake with a temperature and sinus pain until 4am when I was unable to stand it any longer. I got up, had panadol and water and sat in the car writing my journal.

A train came through at 4am. There were a few drops of rain over night, and I watched Bruce get up to close their car which had been left open to the elements. I downloaded my photos and resized them for the blog, then Chelsea our 11 month old outback trouper woke at 5am.

Everyone was packed up and ready to leave at 8am. A bit more of a play on the railway tracks then off we headed for Olary Creek SA. Another long drive day.

Peter filled up at Cobar. We’re worried about his poor fuel economy. I guess towing the T Van is quite a strain. Yesterday his fuel economy was 25L/100km, but hopefully that will improve with a comfy speed of 90km/hr. He’ll need an extra jerry can or 2 at this rate.

There are goats everywhere, even on the tracks. Jordan and Jack were doing homework, now asleep. Michael and Madison playing “I spy..”.

Another long day on the black top.

Wilcannia is a great place to stop for lunch as it is situated on the Darling River. There were birds galore. A creek just prior to this was choccas with pelicans but sadly Col wouldn’t stop for a photo shoot.

All filled up at Broken Hill. Our economy was worse from driving into the wind, at 14.8L/100km but thankfully Peter’s had improved despite the wind at 21L/100km. Quite a bit of reminiscing with Fiona from our clinical placement here (20.5 years ago OMG)! Emus galore... The scenery changes past Broken Hill with a vista over the wide flat plains. Storm clouds were raining on the horizon and the grass was beautiful, soft, fluffy, straw colour, golden in the lowering sun.

Our car was lucky to be entertained by Jordan singing her Aspire songs.

We’re all certainly looking forward to shorter driving days, and getting into the 4WDing and sightseeing.

It was sunset as we set up camp at Olary Creek. I love it here. Such a pretty little spot on a dry creek bed, orange sand, gum trees, old railway pylons and birds at sunset. It was such a quick and easy meal preparation of sausages on the Bidgey Barby, mashed potatoes and veges, and finally a lovely big campfire.

I was feeling a bit crappy and tired and was going to bed, but couldn’t resist the amazing starry sky. Tripods and shutter release cables out for some photography lessons and play with everyone getting some amazing shots!  

Sunday 4/7/2010 Olary Creek to Mount Ive Station

(Olary Creek to Mount Ive Station)
Our first night at Boppy Hill was 2 degrees C and we were all warm in our beds. Last night I was cold most of the night, with thermals on. There was a huge amount of condensation in our tents. The camp chairs looked white from frost and even the olive oil was frozen like a slushy. I'm not sure what the temperature was... minus something!

It seemed to take us ages to pack up today. Sunrise wasn't until 0715hrs, and we didn't leave until 0900hrs (SA time).
The internet was available via Telstra at Olary Creek.
We head through the Flinders Rangers today, finishing with our first off road driving to get to a station at Mount Ive in the Gawler Ranges.
Due to brilliant planning, we had no vegetables or fruit to throw out at the border quarentine at Oodla Wirra.
Our first stop was at Peterborough, a quaint, neat historical rail town, where we had an early lunch. Yum! Hot pies, coffee and hot chocolate by a fire in a cafe.

So we set off through the Flinders Ranges all thawed out.

We had the same photo taken here in 2002 when the kids were 8yrs younger. Still cute! After heading straight through Port Augusta, we turned right off the Ayer Highway at Iron Knob (huge BHP steel mining town).

Our first taste of dirt.
Easy 70km/hr driving through the well graded roads north of Gawler Ranges, to Mount Ive Station.

Driving through sheep stations. Didn't pass many cars. Mount Ive Station is lovely. We didn't have a booking. Turned up at 1630hrs and paid. Set up camp and had our first shower. Lucky they had hair dryers so Jordan and I didn't freeze with a wet head.
The kids are having a lot of fun now. They are especially enjoying the property and the 7 little pups.