Dalhousie Springs To The Painted Desert

Day 22 – 15^th May 2010.

Woke to our first cloudy day! Rob has been predicting rain since day 2 but we may get it today. A nice fire for toasting and packed up camp and down to the springs for another soak and a chat with our new friend Stuart, better known as ‘have-a-chat’. He knew it all.

We drove south on a rough track, via Bloods Creek to The Oodnadatta Track, which turned out to be like a bitumen highway. Arrived Oodnadatta around 3.00 in time to see ' potato picking up' relay at the Oodnadatta races. Looked like lots of fun. We also got the pitter pat of rain! We headed west to The Painted Desert – an example of badlands or breakaway topography. Quite spectacular. On the road in we collected a tonne of mud on the sides of the car. It looked like the rain may be set in, with lightning in the distance. Arrived Karalinga Homestead to find no-one home! Probably at the races. Take that back, the cat was here and took an immediate liking to us. As the rain got heavier, we decided to camp under the campground lean-to kitchen. It made quite a cosy little camp spot. Very close quarters! Quite a few laughs were had as the roof started to leak and soaked J & J’s tent and bedding.

The sign in Oodnadatta said it was the hottest and driest place in Australia. We are freezing cold and soaking wet! Someone was heard to say ‘People our age go to Fiji for holidays’. Not us intrepid camping adventurers!

Lulled to sleep by the rain on the tin roof.

Dunes To Dalhousie Springs

Day 21 – 14^th May 2010.

Wonga Corner (almost) to Dalhousie Springs.

Headed east again for a short while and then turned south at Wonga Corner and drove along between the dunes for about 13km and turned east again along the WAA Line to Georges Junction where we turned left and headed North up the Colston Track till we met The French Line again. Did some more great 4X4 and were lucky enough to see a couple of herds of camels and a very confident dingo. There were loads of birds and several gheckos along the track. We were quite bumped out by the end of the day but made it back to Dalhousie Springs and fell into the springs to relax before dinner. Another great fire and relaxing night.

Mt Dare To A Desert Dune

Day 20 – 13^th May 2010.

Mt Dare to Wonga Corner (almost)

The road got rough! Drove from Mt Dare to Dalhousie Springs, which was an oasis in the desert. The water was about 36 degrees and just beautiful. Had a little soak and some lunch and then off into the Simpson. Yaaay, the reason for coming. There was some stunning scenery as we headed east. Followed The French Line, passed Purnie Bore and started getting into real some dunes. It was a lot of fun and some serious 4X4 driving. Found a nice camp spot between a couple of dunes and set up camp. Drinks on the sand dune and watched the sunset. Stunning. Loads more pics. A cold night, a great fire and delicious dinner courtesy of Jan.

Chambers Pillar To Mt Dare

Day 19 – 12^th May 2010.

Chambers Pillar To Mt Dare

Watched the sunrise on the Pillar. It was a truly beautiful place.

On the way back to Maryvale we visited the art centre at Titjikala. There were some really beautiful artworks. The community itself was a bit sad and an abundance of dogs of all shapes and sizes.

We joined the Ghan Heritage Trail which actually followed the old rail tracks, with old railway sleeper spikes littered all the way. We stopped at some of the rail sidings and water tank stops and read the history of The Ghan. That road followed the Alice Springs to Finke Desert Race Track.

More spectacular scenery and we arrived at Mt Dare in time for an evening drink. Also in time to get eaten alive by mosquitoes.  Set up camp in a great hurry and up to the hotel for a very average dinner. The highlight of the evening was watching all the recoveries from the desert on tv – made us feel really confident!!!!  There were some great photos and some good advice from the bartender.

Alice Springs To Chambers Pillar

Day 18 – 11^th May 2010

Alice Springs  to Chambers Pillar

Spent the morning fuelling (guys) and looking at art galleries (guess who!)

Drove to Maryvale and through the Titjikala Community and out to Chambers Pillar. On the way it was recommended that we raise our flags. Much excitement! Such designs!

The Pillar was a real surprise, much more than we expected. Cannot fathom how those early explorers did it. Watched the sunset on the pillar and camped in its shadow.

Alice Springs

Day 17 – 10^th May 2010

Alice Springs

Had a bit of a look around town. Drove up to Anzac Hill which is the lookout over Alice. Did some restocking of supplies and then the guys headed for the reptile park and Jan and Marg checked out the Albert Namatjira Gallery and the Cultural Precinct. Beautiful!

Boys cooked a delicious chicken dinner and then off to the Casino for a tour by Laura, a couple of drinks and some delicious desserts.

Glen Helen Gorge To Alice Springs

Day 16 – 9^th May 2010

Glen Helen Gorge To Alice Springs

Happy Mother’s Day Jan and Marg.

Had a brief look at Glen Helen Gorge this morn but unfortunately, couldn’t get far because still too much water and too cold to swim! Rob had electrical repairs to do. Next stop Ormiston Gorge, which could be the pick of them. A climb up to the lookout and then a walk down into the gorge. The views of the gorge were so spectacular. Once down into the gorge we had to take to the water to complete the walk back to the car. Hope the pics do it justice but I doubt it. We lunched at Stanley Chasm and walked up the creek bed to the chasm. Once again – spectacular.

From there we drove to Alice Springs. Stopped at Flynn’s grave just outside Alice.  He was quite a man.

Booked into the MacDonnell Range Caravan Park and dusted ourselves off, did some washing and showering and dolled ourselves up to go out to dinner at a classy Indian restaurant. Met up with Laura, Claudia’s cousin, who works at the Casino in Alice. Lovely dinner – yummy.