Broken Hill - Day 88

Fletcher : Today we are headed to Broken Hill.  We stopped at the tourist information centre at Peterborough which was a train carriage and I got a couple of brochures and I got to look at the carriage rooms, there were bunk beds, pull out sinks and fans.  Then we went down to a steam train it was number 8.  After that we left to go to Broken Hill, we stopped at the New South Wales and South Australia border.  We then got to Lakeview Caravan Park where we stayed on the trip with Royce, my dads work friend.  We went out when we set up and went to the ABC shop.

Mackenzie : Today we got to the South Australia border and then to Broken Hill. We played at the park while mum and dad setup and then we went into town.  We went to an ABC store and mum and I  went to Big W and Woolworths and when we came out it was night time.

So last night was the coldest night we have ever felt, the heater ran most of the night on 25 and it was still freezing.  We woke up to be completely surrounded by fog and the car was frozen.  We just had to wait it out as we still have the crack in the windscreen and we weren't going to risk pouring hot or cold water on it.   We did a look around of Peterborough as Fletcher really wanted to see all the train exhibits, we didn't have time for the full museum but we saw as much as we could.  We then set off heading for Broken Hill.  We got to the border and stopped at the house/pub/café/petrol station there, not sure what it was called as it was all rolled into one, great little spot and so friendly.  Although we had crossed the border it is sill SA time until after we leave Broken Hill, don't ask me, I have no idea and am a bit tired of this time difference thing.   We are just doing 1 night stops at the moment, we love Broken Hill and have been here so many times, but we still did a lap of town before pulling up to the caravan park.  We have stayed at this park before, we had rang another park to get prices and they had wanted $76 a night for an ensuite site with the kids.....what!  Gosh 5 star ensuite or what, no thanks, we managed to secure an ensuite site at Lakeview for $50.   We just felt like a bit of personal space, and at $50 it was a bargain.  The kids played at the park for a while and we decided to go look in town.  We had a bit of normality with a trip to the ABC store and the kids read some books and listened to CD's and then Big W and some groceries.  After a big day driving we were in Woolworths till after dark so back to the van to cook and put the heater on.

                                              the pub/house/petrol station at the border

Peterborough - Day 87

Fletcher : Today we left Woomera to Peterborough.  We went to the information centre to look for Len Beadell books but dad had all of them.  We drove to Port Augusta where we all got Barnacle Bills.  Then we drove around Peterborough and got some mince for dinner, we went to the park and set up and played.  Mum made pie and vegies for dinner it was big.

Mackenzie:  Today we left Woomera.  We looked around again first and then went to Port Augusta and got Barnacle Bills, it was yum, I got a frozen drink from Maccas and a Paul Frank Monkey Toy.  We set up and played for a while and had pie for dinner.

Do I start with my love for Barnacle Bills? No ok I will start at Woomera.  We weren't in a hurry to get out of bed as its been so cold at nights, Dan switched the heater on about 2am, I was freezing too which doesn't happen very often.  We packed up and went into town as we hadn't realised there was more on display in the information centre so we spent some time there before leaving.  There was also a Westpac bank and bowling alley in the info centre too, it was so good.  We headed to the infamous Spuds Roadhouse, well most truckies know of this stop, been there for a long time and was the change over hook up point for truck drivers.  Dan got some photos and we were off again.  50kms out of Port Augusta  Dan says " can you smell that?" after nearly 4 months in a van with 2 blokes its not a question you like to hear, I said no I'm ignoring you, poor bugger was actually trying to have a little Barnacle Bill joke and was seeing if I could smell the take away already.  We got to Port Augusta at exactly 12.00 so lunch was a goer, yes I know I had banned take away and broke it for pizza at the drive in already, but this is my favourite and no way was I going past.  We ordered and sat in the car on the highway roadside like desperados but loved it, there was enough chips to feed a few families so I put them in the fridge and we can add them to tea.  Yep I'm tight!  And sorry Barnacle Bills your chips aren't that great but your crumbed prawns and fishettes are to die for.  We set off again and I watched a movie in the car, The Impossible, try watch that without crying.  We do school work in the car and it works really well, then its just the kids diaries at night and apart from Dan pointing out sights along the way I have a very captive audience, not by choice of course.  There is still moans everyday when I ask them to grab their books.  We got to Peterborough, we have been through here a few times but not stayed so it is good to finally stay as its a lovely town, trains, trains and more trains.  They have an amazing train museum and the Indian Pacific goes through a few times a week.   We set up at the park and found that the toilet block is one of the best we have had, yeah I know yuck thing to write about but when at some places  you have to straddle the toilet to close the door, your knees hit the door, or you can barely move in the shower, or my worst is the breeze blows the shower curtain onto you-yuck or the facilities aren't really suitable for human use it makes a nice change to have clean, big and well thought out facilities.  There is a great camp kitchen too with free BBQ and the best herb garden for everyone's use, a small mini golf and  the pool is being renovated and looks amazing already and there is a gate through to the biggest play park we've seen in a while.  We stopped at the supermarket and a local crossed the road to talk to Dan, seeing the van on the back he suggested great local spots and some on the way to Broken Hill, people are so kind and having a van on people know you are in holiday mode.  There is also the etiquette between fellow caravaners on the road.  There is the customary wave as you drive past another person towing, this can be a full wave or just the raised hand or finger from the wheel.  In a day of passing 100s of vans you may get 1 or 2 who don't wave or you will get a few who are very enthusiastic and wave like a crazy kid or both driver and passenger wave.  I don't do the wave unless thanking someone when overtaking but Dan is the couple of  fingers off the wheel waver and never misses, even for busses and trucks.  Its a pretty special club to be in this towing a van & waving club!

                                     All the roads Len Beadell made through the outback

                                                                  Spuds Roadhouse

                                                 A painting on the toilets at the caravan park

                                                                        another one

Woomera - Day 86

Fletcher : Today I slept in and then we went to a museum and we looked at missiles, rockets, army stuff and gun vehicles.  Later on we went to an oasis town called Roxby Downs, we walked along a shopping centre and we went for a little drive, we looked at the airstrip and the miners camp.

Mackenzie : Today we went to town and went to a rocket museum, it was about old rockets.  Then we went to the shops and had a look at the town at Roxby Downs, it was nice.  We went back to the van and did school work and had casserole for tea.

We went into Woomera town today and looked at all the old rockets and planes.  These things are set up in the main street of town not undercover or roped off, just a sign saying do not climb on them and some surveillance cameras.  They look as good as new.  Fletcher was really interested in them, not sure if that's a good thing or not!  These rockets were mainly from the 1960s and there was even bits and pieces found from them in the Simpson Desert and were on display.  The technology was amazing, I know we had a man on the moon in 1969 but to think Australia had this area way back in 1947 and was testing all sorts of missiles & rockets back then is amazing.  There is a strong affiliation with Len Beadell here as he decided this was where the base was to go.  Dan has all of Lens books and is in awe of what he did all those years ago with the roads so he was really pleased to be here and see the plaques in honour of Len.  We headed out to Roxby Downs for a look which is only 80kms from here.  It is often referred to as the most modern town in the outback as it was only built in 1987.  At last count there was over 4000 people and of those nearly a third of them were under the age of 15.  It was built from scratch to service the mine Olympic Dam, it was unique because it was a joint venture between the mining company who provided the infrastructure including water, power, housing etc and the state government who provided the recreation & educational facilities and policing and administration of the town.  It, like Woomera is a really neat and tidy town with lots of greenery and a very strict policy for school kids to be at school.  Any found in the shopping strip during school hours without an adult will have the police called on them, bit different to our Fountain Gate which is full of school kids at all hours of the day.  We went out to the living quarters which look really new, no plants,  greenery or frills but a huge Austar dish so I'm guessing pay tv is a bonus for them in their dongas. The airstrip is right next door and rumour is they may make it international if the mine gets as big as they are expecting, not sure why but they must have a good reason.  The road trains run out of this place 24/7 and run past the caravan park so again Dan is in his element.  While out at Olympic Dam we noticed the football ground under water and it was deep under water but the club rooms were up on the hill & still going and there was still food signs up so I'm guessing business as usual for the boys.  Back to the caravan park to the full line of washing we hung out this morning.  Next to the clothesline is a bar setup, it is an Atco hut site shed with outdoor heating and chairs and tables, such a great area and really busy both nights we have been here.  The clothes had to come in as Mackenzie was concerned that they would all be watching her owl  "onesie" swing around the line, I'm thinking beer was a bigger priority than the onesie?!

                                        The display of rockets and planes was unbelievable

                                               Parts recovered from the Simpson Desert

Daniel took this gorgeous shot from his phone and I have to say that this & another road train photo have been my favourite out of all the photos we have taken

Woomera - Day 85

Fletcher : Today we left Coober Pedy to Woomera.  We did the stuff we had to do and went to the park.  Mum called us back and told us to look in the camp kitchen, there was a big tv and we watched a show while mum and dad hooked up the van.  We arrived at a roadhouse for petrol and then went through to Woomera, this caravan park was established in 1990.  This town used to be closed because they did rocket launces here. We had dinner and watched a movie

Mackenzie: Today we drove to Woomera.  Fletcher and I did school work and watched a movie.  When we got to the place we were staying we got to play for a while before dinner.  We had chicken wraps for dinner and we all watched a movie.

Today was a boring drive day with nothing exciting to happen.  Well apart from something leaking in the engine and a strange noise coming from the front, the poor car has done so well but I think it is due for a very big look over by a mechanic and soon.  We got to Woomera and set up.  It is a great town and really neat and tidy.   You have to work a minimum of 30 hours a week here and if you slip below that you have 28 days to do something about it, there is no graffiti, no crime, it is amazing.  Some workers did graffiti something in town and they were found,  made to pay for it and have it cleaned and banned from Woomera......love it.  It is a small community and relatively a new town for visitors as it had been a closed area, a "No Go" town for so long because of the rocket testing.  There are no secrets here now, apparently?!  It is still managed by the defence force.  There is plans at the park here to spend $20million to add another village for Roxby Downs who are extending their mine and increasing their workforce, so the deal has been done that it still stays a caravan park but have living quarters for workers.  We made a quick trip to the closed detention centre, we didn't go right up to it as I felt pretty strange about photographing it or even being there, it was only used for 4 years but it made headlines so many times. 

                                                         the night sky at Woomera

Coober Pedy - Day 84

Mackenzie : Today we drove to a place called Coober Pedy and set up the caravan and me and Fletcher went to play at the playground.  Then we had lunch and went into town.  We had a look at the look out it was amazing then we looked at opals that people have mined and got some food and water.  We went back to the caravan and dad told us that you need to pay 20cents to go to the shower.  Then mum got out our blankets and we drove to get pizza, it is the best pizza in Australia and went to the Drive in, they had the old speakers that you put into your car.  We watched The Croods, it was so funny.

                                                        The speaker at the Drive in



Fletcher: Today we left Marla, we packed up the van quickly and left to go to Coober Pedy.  We got there quickly and went to a nice caravan park.  Later on we went to some ranges called the Stuart Ranges also known as the Breakaways, they were in the movie Priscilla.  Then we went to a restaurant called Johns Pizza Bar, we ordered a spaghetti pizza with cheese and marinated lamb and spaghetti bolognaise on it, we went to the Drive in and watched The Croods.

                                    Most Coober Pedy houses and shops are underground

Today we packed up and as we were still hooked up we were off pretty quickly for us.  We always seem to take the longest, with some camper trailers packing up quicker than us.  It doesn't help that the kids love hot breakfasts and I make a point of doing them at home as its a great way to start the day but when you are trying to pack up a caravan its the last thing you want to do.  One of the hardest things about being in the van and having limited preparation space and pots is that the kids, well you know what not just the kids, all of us are fussy eaters!  One doesn't like this, one doesn't have butter well any dairy at all, one is intolerant to that etc etc, which is fine at home, I always try to avoid cooking 2 meals at home but its easier as you can do the same meal with a little variation with an extra pot or scoop out boiled potatoes before you mash the rest, but with only a table that the kids mainly draw at or Bentley can steal food from there isn't much option than to all eat the same thing and wait for the complaints!  Breakfast is no different, cereal to my kids is a swear word so I am now compromising and if it can be microwaved it can be had for breakfast.  We got to Coober Pedy before lunchtime and could chose any site so a quick lap to chose a good spot and feel sorry for the people we pull in next to, its always great to see peoples faces when 2 kids climb out followed by a dog!  We pulled in next to a lovely couple who gave us "the look" but after chatting and seeing that the kids weren't crazy monkeys tearing around on push bikes they were pleased to have us there.  I remember my grandparents talking about Coober Pedy when I was young and I had in my head a completely different picture, as a child it sounded wonderful and romantic to have beautiful jewels and stunning opals but as a child you don't think of or listen to the story of the hard work that goes with getting that beautiful opal.  It is a mining town and there is mines absolutely everywhere, not just the commercial ones you can tour through but spread far and wide.  We have been to White Cliffs so we have stayed underground but to see these homes built into the side of hills is still amazing and exciting to see.   We made a quick lunch and headed out to the Breakaways, which were absolutely gorgeous.  Part of the movie Priscilla was filmed out here and the landscape was amazing, freezing cold even though the sun was out.  The road in was still quite wet from recent rain and the road to the dog fence was closed due to the wet.  We stopped at the IGA for water as water out here costs, the washing machines are $6 a go, which are normally between $2-$4 and showers are 20 cents for 2 mins, there is also pumps on the side of the road and in the caravan park like a petrol pump that you can purchase water.  Our tank is full so we just got a 10litre box of drinking water.  We did a lap of town and went up to the look out.  We also went into an opal miners house who was selling his opals, he had been mining for 45years and they were beautiful, so many colors, he was doing his best sell to us but although they were lovely we just weren't going to buy any.  We had found out that the drive in still works and shows a film once a fortnight and surprisingly it was tonight.  We went into town to read the bill board for the movie and it was The Croods a kids film they had wanted to see since starting the trip.  So tonight was take away pizza in the car while at the drive in.  We went home and rugged up and grabbed blankets and pillows.  We ordered our pizza from an award winning pizza shop, best pizza in Australia 2010 for Good Food and an award winner 2012 for lifestyle good food.  Have you been to Coober Pedy? It is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by piles of dirt, houses built into the sides of the dirt and did I mention dirt and they have this amazing pizza shop, well it lived up to its name, it was fantastic.  The drive in had the old style speakers that you put on your car, it was awesome, I think Dan and I were more excited than the kids and when an old V8 Monaro pulled up next to us we felt like we had slipped back in time.  We all enjoyed the movie and at $20 for all of us, and we had Bentley it was a cheap and great family night out.  As for the pizza it was so big we have some left so guess what kids, hot breakfast for you in the morning !

The old speakers at the drive in

 The caravan park at Coober Pedy, brand new bathrooms and the best camp kitchen we have seen

                                                                     The Breakaways

                                                                    The Breakaways

 

Marla - Day 83

Fletcher: We left Ayres Rock to go to Marla.  We woke up freezing and we found out it was 9 degrees.  Me and Mackenzie walked Bentley all the way around the playground and back, then we walked him around the street, we saw a rabbit.  Then we had to go, we drove all the way to the last pub in the Northern Territory and got a dim sim.  We crossed the South Australian border to Marla.

Mackenzie : Today we took Bentley for a walk around the caravan park and then we got in the car and drove to a place called Kulgera and got a dim sim.  Then we crossed the Northern Territory border and drove the rest of the day.  We got to Marla and set up and Fletcher and I played a ball game.


Today we were all woken by the amazing sounds of dingos howling.  It was before 6am and we were all awake laying there saying can you hear that, Bentley was confused but not growling, we were loving it, now we feel like we are in the outback.  We packed up but not in a hurry, people travelling have said to us 2 days is enough here but we have had 3 nights and although we have seen the important things we really like Yulara and could stay longer.  Today was mainly driving as we headed towards Marla.  We stopped at Kulgera which is the 1st and last hotel/stop on the Northern Territory, they had great picnic tables in a grassy area so we stopped and ate our lunch.  We stopped at the border and took some photos and did the normal "I'm in the Territory" " I'm in South Australia" and back and forward we went and stood half and half.  The kids found a set of teeth, 2nd time this has happened to us, hmmmm is there money to be made in dealing in 2nd hand teeth?   The kids are looking for a get rich quick scheme, this may be it!  We set up at Marla, which was originally an area where they sunk a bore, Marla Bore and was a truck stop.  In 1982 they built what is in Marla now, Commonwealth Bank, restaurant, pub, supermarket, gallery & post office and it was officially declared a town.  There is drive through sites, a pool, clean & locked toilet block and enough rooms to house a few football teams.  A great little stop that had absolutely everything.

                                                                              Marla

                                                                     our site at Marla

Yulara - Day 82

Fletcher - Today we went to a bush tucker tour, we got to try bush plum, it was sweet.  After that we saw a tea tree and the man said if you crush it its good for antiseptic.  After the tour we went home to Bentley and had nachos then we went to the Olgas and we went on the walking trail, after that we went back to the rock.

                                              I found a base in the gorge at The Olgas

Mackenzie : Today we got up and went to the bush tucker tour, it was about trees and bushes, we got to eat a berry it was sweet.  After that we went back to the caravan and had lunch and drew for a while.  We went to the Olgas and we went through them it was a big walk, they are bigger than Ayers Rock.  We went to have another look at Ayers rock and mum took photos, we didn't go to the top.  We went to the shops and then home to make dinner.

                                             just about to go between the 2 big hills of the Olgas

We did one of the free activities today which was a garden walk- bush tucker tour.  It was conducted by Leroy a local aboriginal who works for the resort in the plant & tourism section.  This was a very interesting tour, we got to try fruits from the trees and smell & touch all the plants he was talking about.  It went for about an hour and the kids were captivated as many of the trees they recognized from their school so to rub the leaves & smell them and know what they used them for on the land was really exciting for them.  Most of the trees were bought in to Yulara to go around the resort as they wanted it to appear like an oasis in the desert, they certainly achieved that and as we wandered in and around the beautiful resort it was amazing how much thought had gone into the trees and their placement in the resort.  Trees that we all take for granted were a source of food, nutrition and a way of life for the tribes people, with the women able to make anything out of basically nothing.  We did a lap of the fancy resorts and read all the information on the area which was so interesting and we watched a man carving didgeridoos and then he played them for us.   We then went back to Bentley and to make a quick lunch before heading to the Olgas.  They are within the same National Park as Uluru and are 50kms away.  They are so amazing too,  it is so hard to imagine first stumbling across these 2 amazing freaks of nature, the landscape is fairly flat and then out of no where is a massive red rock and travel a bit further and again be confronted with the most amazing red rocks.  The Kata Tjuta (Olgas) are massive, there is 36 domes and the highest is 546mts above the surrounding plain, which is nearly 200mts higher than Uluru.  We went on another long walk today, through the gorge and all around the Olgas, it was beautiful, again it was sheer rock wall and had small caves that had greenery growing out from it.  Once in the gorge there were small creeks with flowing water which, because of the shade of the next dome the water was freezing.  In the shade it was really very cold and in the sun it was quite hot, it was really hard to find middle ground.  You get to go right in and again there are great walkways made and where there isn't there is rocks lining a path to show you the way.  We made the walk in and surprisingly it seemed quicker and easier on the way out.  I saw a postcard that had lovely photos and said something like "Northern Territory - 1 rock, 1 gorge, 1 range and 1 million flies"   This is by no means an exaggeration, it may have said 1 billion flies because that is what it has felt like out here in Alice Springs, and they are those dumb annoying flies that just sit on you waiting to be swatted.   For all those people who I have always thought crazy & eccentric for wearing those ridiculous looking fly nets over your hats I am sorry, truly sorry, you are by far the most sane and sensible people I know, next time I'm here I will spend the $7.90 and buy a net, just to avoid a fly in my eye, up my nose and in my mouth- and yes all 3 happened to me.  We went back to the rock in the hope it would be open as when I had loaded the photos last night I had noticed I didn't get a shot of Mack properly, as it was all the shots were from low down on the rock because as we got a little higher the camera was the last thing on my mind.  So we did a quick re-enactment of yesterdays climb but stayed low as there were police there and an ambulance came in so we didn't know what was going on but the ambo came in with lights on so we decided to leave, people were still climbing so it mustn't have been extreme but still not nice to gig.  We did a quick lap of town making the most of our time without Bentley.  I strongly believe our Bentley has kept us below budget on this trip, as Daniel loves to eat out and it makes it near impossible to do that with Bentley so instead of me being the big baddy nagging about budget it is very simple we cant eat out as often as he would like.  So back to the van to cook we went!

 Dan and the kids part way in, the red rock against the greenery and blue sky was amazing

                                                                     Kata Tjuta

                                          the streams which were crystal clear and running

                                       A long distance view from one of the many lookouts