DESERT WANDERINGS WEEK ONE
WEEK ONE- 9th April- 15th April 2018
From Coober Pedy along Anne Beadell Highway
On our first night together as a group we hit the local RSL. A RSL only open once a week we joined the locals paying our respects to the soldiers at 6pm as well as a local, previous RSL president, who had passed away in the last week. This was an RSL with a difference, happy hour, snacks and a very limited cheap menu that most enjoyed. ( For those who know the Elkin's you will know who didn't eat much!). We could only order at 6pm and we had all eaten by 6:30pm talk about efficiency! A great atmosphere and a great choice for our money going back to the community.
Monday 9th April a super exciting day. Mitch asked whether it was really happening. Brad and I nervous about what was ahead but ready for the adventure!
Last minute supplies and last Facebook checks, we met the group at the Coober Pedy sign.
Setting off on the Anne Beadell highway. A remote corragated road where the next stop for fuel is 800km away. It used to be longer distance between fuels but a roadhouse we are heading for now stocks fuel for the traveler. Lucky us !
Temperatures soared and we clocked 44 degrees on the dash as the hottest! It mostly stuck to 41 deg while traveling .
We had to stop to tighten the aerial as the corregation had loosened it with the drive.
Stopping to look for a native well proved tricky but eventually one group found it!
Moving along we set up camp just off the highway in a clearing. Quite pleasant in the shade but the flies... oh the flies
Brett was the first to stake a tyre and Brad's aerial needed a splint and gaffer tape to hold it together.
Tues 10 April
Travelled almost 200km along lots of corragated roads..bump bump bump.. which turned into soft sand in the afternoon. Driving up and over sand dunes was a nice change bringing different vegetation some almost blue in colour.
Stopping to view the site where the nuclear testing was completed in October 1953 driving up to the site there was a stretch of dead trees, was this as a result of the bomb? Still levels of radioactivity not safe for permanent occupancy and remnants of the tower held the bomb. The sand in the area was turned to glass on impact and lots of evidence still present today.
Temperatures soared again today clocking 41 deg at highest. Finding a flat and shady campsite we stopped at Anne's Corner. A quick set up with all boys pitching in , the boys added to their journels and after dinner enjoyed some stories around the camp fire.
Wed 11 April
Weather cooled a bit today with a breeze and shade it was much more tolerable. Travelling further along the Anne Beadell Highway we discovered 2x separate camel skeletons, bones in tact. Xavier Brad and Mitch enjoyed investigating and playing games with the bones (mask with the pelvis, a gun of ribs, a large bones (?femur) almost the size of xavier) .
2x separate trees across the road, one required a power tool to come out . Chopping it up to move it off the road in pieces. A great group effort with everyone happy to help, even the kids.
The spinifex form circles on the ground an amazing sight. We all got up on top of the car for an even better view.
At Voakes Hill we signed the guest book, which is stored in a box with a rock on top near a Len Beadell sign. The first car and people we've seen since beginning was a car being towed ,reminding us of staying safe on the roads and how remote we are for help.
A beautiful starry night toasting marshmallows around the camp fire. Chee- Hong taught Brad how to use our camera to take starry skies. The stars are just incredible, so so many, shooting stars are not uncommon and the milky way prominent. Mitch saw the first star, and shooting stars. Josh saw 3 satelites all together .
Thurs 12th April
A cooler morning we slept in missing the sunrise. All boys pitched in rolling the swag up.
Brad had a flat battery and Brett was the hero jump starting the car.
Continuing along Anne Beadell highway on the lookout for live camels we saw plenty of footprints but still no live sightings. Mitch and Beth found a snake skin though, and Brett spotted a live one across the road. A beautiful salt lake, lake serpentine, we got out to explore tasting the salt crystals. Quite soft under foot but no water was found.
Not long after we crossed into WA. First time for Brad and boys, not the way they thought they would enter WA! Taking photos and signing the visitors book we travelled further where there was a pit toilet and tank water.
The dirt and vegetation changes regularly. The dirt yellow, orange and bright red throughout the day. Vegetation definately more green and thick once we entered WA and continues to be so.
Driving another hour we found a lovely
camp site where we had our first ever camp oven dinner (chicken chasseaur) . Heather and Brett teaching us the ways, Brett even checking and stirring for us. 4 out of 5 loved it Mitch said it was the best dinner ever.
Confused by SA or WA we are sticking to SA time even though in WA (1.5 hours behind).
Mel heard camels through the night and Frank captured their feet on his night vision camera he'd set for the night. Lots of evidence pointing to camels in the desert, we are sure to find live camels soon.
Fri 13th April
Another day, another flat battery, saved by Brett once again.
Today was the day we spotted live Camels! First there were 2 along the road that we managed to see the back of them for 30 seconds before disappearing! Later about 6 were spotted in the bushes and they let us observe them for quite some time before trotting off.
Stopping at Ilururka Roadhouse where we had our first shower in 5 days! Known as a donkey shower, where you light a fire at the bottom and the heat travels up the pipe bringing hot water to the shower head. An interesting experience, very difficult to get the water temperature right and in the end it was a quick and cold experience in the dark. Great to be clean though!
Filling up with diesel cost $3/L total of $360 plus surcharge for EPTPOS.
A roast on the camp oven and travel stories by the camp fire. A great end to another day in the desert.
Sat 14 April
Another day, another flat battery, saved by Brett once again. The guys had a theory the day before but alas it was not the answer.
Taking a track off to the right we drove across the sand dunes up and over for 10km to an abandoned plane wreck. Still an obvious plane, parts have been removed but a great playground in the desert. The boys enjoyed climbing on and around the plane.
While stopped Frank and Jess' car and trailer started rolling back....onto our car. A dented bull bar and number plate we otherwise came away unscrathed shakey but ok. Could have been so much worse.
Trouble back along the dunes. Joe needed to let down his tyres and give it another go. Brad reversed back to snatch him up the last part of the sand dune. A team effort led by Frank,Joe got up the sanddune and we all made it out safely.
Travelling up and down the sand dunes was a great change of scenery and an interesting ride!
Finishing up the day at Neale Junction where Connie Sue highway meets Anne Beadell highway. Pizza and wine and stories around the campfire. Tonight we had company. Joe (13 years) travelling with his Pa from Ballarat. Boys enjoyed playing cricket in the outback well into the night by head torch. Joe and his Pa had done some hunting and had shot 2x camels and a kangaroo during their trip. They showed us the skin, being preserved in salt and casings from used bullets. Interesting pair and good company by the fire .
Sunday 15th April
Another day, another start by jump start, Frank being the hero today.
Further along Anne Beadell highway vegetation remained plentiful until a large area where a bushfire had come through. New life was coming and evident. Would look so different in 6 months time.
Climbing a rock formation, called Bishop Rileys Pullpit, the views were amazing. A pulpit means its a flat rock on top. Quite high Josh, Mitch and Xavier proved they are capable of climbing up steep small pathways without the fear that I had for them!
After lunch we took an alternate path. Definately a road less travelled. Overgrown with spinifex and trees both sides and on the road it was a slow and interesting journey. Joe popped a tyre but was able to plug it. On the horizon we saw water, actual water glistening in the sunshine.
Not too much further and Frank led us into a muddy salt lake and got himself stuck. A very long snatch and Chee Hong was the hero pulling Frank and Jess' car and trailer out of the boggy situation! 41 km challenging 4wding got us into camp later than expected.
An abandoned homestead we set the swags up and slept on the verandah!
To be continued - Desert wanderings week 2
From Coober Pedy along Anne Beadell Highway
On our first night together as a group we hit the local RSL. A RSL only open once a week we joined the locals paying our respects to the soldiers at 6pm as well as a local, previous RSL president, who had passed away in the last week. This was an RSL with a difference, happy hour, snacks and a very limited cheap menu that most enjoyed. ( For those who know the Elkin's you will know who didn't eat much!). We could only order at 6pm and we had all eaten by 6:30pm talk about efficiency! A great atmosphere and a great choice for our money going back to the community.
Monday 9th April a super exciting day. Mitch asked whether it was really happening. Brad and I nervous about what was ahead but ready for the adventure!
Last minute supplies and last Facebook checks, we met the group at the Coober Pedy sign.
Setting off on the Anne Beadell highway. A remote corragated road where the next stop for fuel is 800km away. It used to be longer distance between fuels but a roadhouse we are heading for now stocks fuel for the traveler. Lucky us !
Temperatures soared and we clocked 44 degrees on the dash as the hottest! It mostly stuck to 41 deg while traveling .
We had to stop to tighten the aerial as the corregation had loosened it with the drive.
Stopping to look for a native well proved tricky but eventually one group found it!
Moving along we set up camp just off the highway in a clearing. Quite pleasant in the shade but the flies... oh the flies
Brett was the first to stake a tyre and Brad's aerial needed a splint and gaffer tape to hold it together.
Tues 10 April
Travelled almost 200km along lots of corragated roads..bump bump bump.. which turned into soft sand in the afternoon. Driving up and over sand dunes was a nice change bringing different vegetation some almost blue in colour.
Stopping to view the site where the nuclear testing was completed in October 1953 driving up to the site there was a stretch of dead trees, was this as a result of the bomb? Still levels of radioactivity not safe for permanent occupancy and remnants of the tower held the bomb. The sand in the area was turned to glass on impact and lots of evidence still present today.
Temperatures soared again today clocking 41 deg at highest. Finding a flat and shady campsite we stopped at Anne's Corner. A quick set up with all boys pitching in , the boys added to their journels and after dinner enjoyed some stories around the camp fire.
Wed 11 April
Weather cooled a bit today with a breeze and shade it was much more tolerable. Travelling further along the Anne Beadell Highway we discovered 2x separate camel skeletons, bones in tact. Xavier Brad and Mitch enjoyed investigating and playing games with the bones (mask with the pelvis, a gun of ribs, a large bones (?femur) almost the size of xavier) .
2x separate trees across the road, one required a power tool to come out . Chopping it up to move it off the road in pieces. A great group effort with everyone happy to help, even the kids.
The spinifex form circles on the ground an amazing sight. We all got up on top of the car for an even better view.
At Voakes Hill we signed the guest book, which is stored in a box with a rock on top near a Len Beadell sign. The first car and people we've seen since beginning was a car being towed ,reminding us of staying safe on the roads and how remote we are for help.
A beautiful starry night toasting marshmallows around the camp fire. Chee- Hong taught Brad how to use our camera to take starry skies. The stars are just incredible, so so many, shooting stars are not uncommon and the milky way prominent. Mitch saw the first star, and shooting stars. Josh saw 3 satelites all together .
Thurs 12th April
A cooler morning we slept in missing the sunrise. All boys pitched in rolling the swag up.
Brad had a flat battery and Brett was the hero jump starting the car.
Continuing along Anne Beadell highway on the lookout for live camels we saw plenty of footprints but still no live sightings. Mitch and Beth found a snake skin though, and Brett spotted a live one across the road. A beautiful salt lake, lake serpentine, we got out to explore tasting the salt crystals. Quite soft under foot but no water was found.
Not long after we crossed into WA. First time for Brad and boys, not the way they thought they would enter WA! Taking photos and signing the visitors book we travelled further where there was a pit toilet and tank water.
The dirt and vegetation changes regularly. The dirt yellow, orange and bright red throughout the day. Vegetation definately more green and thick once we entered WA and continues to be so.
Driving another hour we found a lovely
camp site where we had our first ever camp oven dinner (chicken chasseaur) . Heather and Brett teaching us the ways, Brett even checking and stirring for us. 4 out of 5 loved it Mitch said it was the best dinner ever.
Confused by SA or WA we are sticking to SA time even though in WA (1.5 hours behind).
Mel heard camels through the night and Frank captured their feet on his night vision camera he'd set for the night. Lots of evidence pointing to camels in the desert, we are sure to find live camels soon.
Fri 13th April
Another day, another flat battery, saved by Brett once again.
Today was the day we spotted live Camels! First there were 2 along the road that we managed to see the back of them for 30 seconds before disappearing! Later about 6 were spotted in the bushes and they let us observe them for quite some time before trotting off.
Stopping at Ilururka Roadhouse where we had our first shower in 5 days! Known as a donkey shower, where you light a fire at the bottom and the heat travels up the pipe bringing hot water to the shower head. An interesting experience, very difficult to get the water temperature right and in the end it was a quick and cold experience in the dark. Great to be clean though!
Filling up with diesel cost $3/L total of $360 plus surcharge for EPTPOS.
A roast on the camp oven and travel stories by the camp fire. A great end to another day in the desert.
Sat 14 April
Another day, another flat battery, saved by Brett once again. The guys had a theory the day before but alas it was not the answer.
Taking a track off to the right we drove across the sand dunes up and over for 10km to an abandoned plane wreck. Still an obvious plane, parts have been removed but a great playground in the desert. The boys enjoyed climbing on and around the plane.
Trouble back along the dunes. Joe needed to let down his tyres and give it another go. Brad reversed back to snatch him up the last part of the sand dune. A team effort led by Frank,Joe got up the sanddune and we all made it out safely.
Travelling up and down the sand dunes was a great change of scenery and an interesting ride!
Finishing up the day at Neale Junction where Connie Sue highway meets Anne Beadell highway. Pizza and wine and stories around the campfire. Tonight we had company. Joe (13 years) travelling with his Pa from Ballarat. Boys enjoyed playing cricket in the outback well into the night by head torch. Joe and his Pa had done some hunting and had shot 2x camels and a kangaroo during their trip. They showed us the skin, being preserved in salt and casings from used bullets. Interesting pair and good company by the fire .
Sunday 15th April
Another day, another start by jump start, Frank being the hero today.
Further along Anne Beadell highway vegetation remained plentiful until a large area where a bushfire had come through. New life was coming and evident. Would look so different in 6 months time.
Climbing a rock formation, called Bishop Rileys Pullpit, the views were amazing. A pulpit means its a flat rock on top. Quite high Josh, Mitch and Xavier proved they are capable of climbing up steep small pathways without the fear that I had for them!
After lunch we took an alternate path. Definately a road less travelled. Overgrown with spinifex and trees both sides and on the road it was a slow and interesting journey. Joe popped a tyre but was able to plug it. On the horizon we saw water, actual water glistening in the sunshine.
An abandoned homestead we set the swags up and slept on the verandah!
To be continued - Desert wanderings week 2
Love reading your travel adventures 👍
ReplyDeleteWell done on keeping such a great diary Mel! What a journey so far 😀
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