Tonight is spent on the Station, watching the sun set over Mt. Conner.

written by  shoshtrvls on April 7, 1990 from Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia
from the travel blog: Australia (1990)
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

A quick breakfast and then up the trail, but not before seeing our first camels of the trip, in a pen in Marree. Along the way we stopped at South Lake Eyre, where I sank into the mud up to my calves (which is a long way). We drove by a few springs which produced oases and followed the track that parallels the old, abandoned Ghan railway. The dirt track road was long and dusty, with nothing in sight from horizon to horizon, except the occasional ruin of an old homestead, some still with cars rotting away.

We stopped for lunch at William Creek, a one-pub town, and the smallest in all of Australia (or so they say), set in the middle of the largest cattle ranch in the world, Anna Creek Station. At the pub there was a real outback crowd -- an aboriginal, who kept insisting that he was "Pete's head stockman" and had two horses, a race horse and an apaloosa. There were also several government workers and real tourists, in white slacks and all!

We then drove to Coober Pedy, opal mining capital of the world. Apparently, we also saw and crossed the doge fence, but we were so tired of seeing station fences we didn't realize it.

Arriving in Coober Pedy, we walked about before having dinner at John's Pizza Parlour and turning in. We still have some stone buying to do.

written by  shoshtrvls on April 6, 1990 from Coober Pedy, Australia
from the travel blog: Australia (1990)
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

From Flinders Ranges we drove to Blinman where a great mixed grill and salad bar was available. The hotel appeared quite nice, with a swimming pool next door full of children. Along the way, we passed by the "great wall of China" -- an interesting rock formation.

written by  shoshtrvls on April 5, 1990 from Blinman, Australia
from the travel blog: Australia (1990)
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

It is also were "talc alf" lives. He's an interesting guy who philosophizes about the meaning of letters (e.g. GOD = Gives Life (O = sun) Death) and makes unique sculptures, one of which I purchased (a kangaroo).

written by  shoshtrvls on April 5, 1990 from Lyndhurst, Australia
from the travel blog: Australia (1990)
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...

Tomorrow we start the Oodnadatta Track to Ayers Rock and Alice Springs, and just learned that Lake Eyre (which we will pass tomorrow) has water for only the 3rd time since white settlers arrived (or so they say).

written by  shoshtrvls on April 5, 1990 from Marree, Australia
from the travel blog: Australia (1990)
Send a Compliment

---

comment on this...