Fri 12th Mooroopna –
Renmark
To Renmark for the night and camped at a “SA Parks” camp
near Lyrup on the Murray $13 per night left van hooked up for quick departure next
morning
Sat 13th Renmark to Port Agusta
Left Lyrup and headed to a free camp north of Port Agusta on
the Stuart Hwy, stopped at Morgan, Burra, Port Pirie and Port Agusta along the
way before we set up camp arriving around 4pm. The camp area is isolated from
the road and not far from the main Alice Springs to Adelaide train line where
many freight trains passed through nice little fire in the evening
Sunday 14th Port Agusta to Coober Pedy
Made our way to Coober Pedy stopping at Pimba, Womera and Glendambo for a beer at the Pub and a number of roadside
stops including Lake Heart arrived at Ribas CP that afternoon set up camp for
the next 2 nights, Went into town for some supplies and a quick look around
back to Ribas for a mine tour at the CP and a few drinks at camp into the night.
Monday 15th Coober Pedy
Into town for the morning visiting local Opal shops finished
by Coffee and cake at a local café. Beer at the local tavern prior to our 5 ½ tour
with “Noble tours“ a mine tour (yes 2nd in 24hrs) local town sites, Underground
Church, underground house, off road along the “Dog fence” , and some time for
wine and cheeses @ Breakaways also stopped at the guides mine lease on the way
back into town a great afternoon
Tuesday 16th Coober
Pedy to Alice Springs
Left Coober Pedy on the way to Alice took some great photos
of the Sunrise (magical moment of the trip) and filled up with water in town
metering 30l per $1. Around 50km north of CP HIT A Emu fortunately no damage to
car, but the Emu no so lucky! Met up with friends for lunch at Eldurado
roadhouse before making our way to Big4 West Mcdonald Ranges around 5kms before
Alice. We had an ensuite Site for our 3 days once set up a quick drive into
town to have a look and do some shopping back to camp for a few drinks and
planning our days while here
Wednesday 17th Alice Springs
Day exploring around town, Anzac Hill, Todd Mall, Info center
East McDonald Ranges stopping at Emily Gap, Jessie Gap, Trephina Gorge, then
out to Ross River Resort! "Restort? Somewhat misleading. Back to town visited RFDS
and a quick trip to Bunnings to get a hose connection for our water supply. Flies
were out of control, never seen flies like this before and unfortunately continued
for several days arrived back at the CP and could not unlock our ensuite only
to find out that we were placed in the wrong location when we arrived, offered
a refund and assisted us in moving down 3 camps. Some washing and dinner and
drinks into the night
Thursday 18th Alice Springs
Drove into town to wee the GHAN then out via Larapint Drive stopping
at Simpsons Gap, Elery Creek Big Hole, and Hermannsburg a Aboriginal settlement
then back along Namatjira Drive again stopping at ………… to Alice Springs. Into
town for some shopping for the next leg of the trip water and beer being the
major requirement!
Friday 19th Alice Springs to Kings Canyon
Made our way to Kings Canyon Station for 2 nights arrived
mid afternoon set up camp great location with Powered Site with a few days of
relaxing ahead
Saturday 20th Kings Canyon
Out to Kings Canyon itself for the rim walk did not take
long to realise the climb was something neither of us were keen on so we did
the Gorge walk and returned to camp for a lazy afternoon, dinner (Camel
Burgers) from the restaurant
Sunday 21st Kings Canyon to Uluru
Certainly the moment you see the “rock” from the road way on
your way in is unbelievable in scale, arrived at the Caravan Park and set up
camp in what they call the overflow area which is basically 2 large areas at
the back of the designated CP definitely a better location that what is in the
CP itself other then distance to amenities a great area. Drove out to Uluru
that afternoon, drove around the base as well as the “sunset viewing” area that
evening
Monday 22nd Uluru
Off to the rock for a base walk of 10.8km lasting
nearly 2.5hrs then decided to have a long lunch at Gecko's Café to
recuperate within the Yulara complex back to the CP to do some washing before
we headed back to the rock for Sunset, this time we decided to go back to the rock
itself as opposed to the “Sunset viewing area”
Tuesday 23rd Uluru
Out to the Olgas for a Gorge walk instead of the “valley of the winds”
walk then a lazy afternoon and early night in preparation for an early start
tomorrow
Wednesday 24TH Uluru to Glendambo
Up @ 4:30am to watch “the “field of lights Sunrise” with
Coffee (great event) then back to camp finish packing up then the drive out,
decided to head as far South as possible arrived at Glendambo around 8pm of
which the last 40km we were travelling around 60km per hour, bad decision
driving in the dark with the amount of wildlife on the roads “valuable lesson”
learned. Never to be repeated !!
Thursday 25th Glendambo
to Mildura
Drove to a Murray river camp called xyz where we met up with
Hutchie & Wendy after getting lost as we looked at the wrong location
finally Hutchie came to rescue us and we had dinner and many drinks too late
around the camp fire, another great evening off to bed around Midnight
Friday 26th Mildura
to Home
Home, unpacked and van cleaned over the course of the
weekend
