In no rush. Lingered in bed longer than normal. The cold was very persuasive with that decision. As the airport is across the road from the pub, well most things are across the road from the pub, the early morning flights of the roaring, sometimes straining, single engine Cessna’s fly directly overhead, so the lingering is not sleeping. Today we readied ourselves for the Big Red Bash beginning tomorrow and lasting for 3 days. By readied I mean what food, drinks and warm clothes would we take to get us comfortably through the day. The camper stays put. We wandered around the well organised and kept roads taking snaps here and there, visiting the pub, conversing with other travellers, and visiting the very interesting Information Centre. The walk along the bank of the Diamantina River was ... read more

We woke knowing that sometime today we would arrive in Birdsville, having completed the legendary Birdsville Track, but not before we had endured severe corrugations for long stretches and very rough stony track surfaces. The few, ‘smooth-as-a-baby’s-bum’ sections, were a welcome relief. The grader was also out smoothing the track. The Sturt Stony Desert did live up to its name. The stones (gibbers), shiny and smooth and in their trillions, spread for as far as the eye could see. Complete inconsiderate fools still sped past at 100kph spitting up rocks galore. The word around town is that 6 vehicles lost windscreens today to the ‘same’ idiot. They are positive of ‘getting’ him. Another huge rig had their water tank punctured by a rock, losing all their water. We climbed the truly spectacular Koonchera Dune which the ... read more

Checked Prado and Xtrk wheel studs. Rechecked air pressure in prep for Birdsville Track. Repacked all gear so there is no movement, and all secured in both vehicles. Washing finished. Batteries, solar charged all day. Lunch made for tomorrow. Seals taped for extra protection from dust seepage. Pub meal. Place pumped. Marree packed. Fuel price increased another 20c/L. Now $2.90/L. Fortunately filled yesterday. Looking forward to hitting the track again. Break has refreshed all cylinders. Flood warning for Mungeranie our destination!... read more

Jane took flight today ... over the lowest region in Australia, Lake Eyre. Back on the Oodnadatta Track it was onto Cowards Springs, an oasis in the desert. A short trip of 72km where Jane enjoyed the warm natural mineral water spa for the perfect soak. The date scones here were sensational.We headed for the banks of Lake Eyre South planning on camping, however our plans were dashed as the signs said camping prohibited ... I would have camped (who was coming out here to check?) but Jane is one for following the rules!!So, Marree it was. Marree has 3 of the major outback tracks springing out from it ... Oodnadatta, Birdsville and Stezlecki. It was packed with people heading to our destination, Birdsville for the Big Red Bash.A problem with the rear door mechanism of ... read more

1 500 000 … that’s, One Million Five Hundred Thousand … that’s how many opal shafts have been dug since opal mining began in and around Coober Pedy. Advice, don’t get drunk and wander off. Coober Pedy means, “White Man in a Hole”. The area has over 70 fields, the largest opal mining area in the world producing 85% of the world’s opals. Its surrounds look moon-like (not that I’ve visited the moon … yet) with the landscape dotted with shafts and mullock heaps. CP lies on the edge of the erosional scarp of the Stuart Ranges, on beds of sand and siltstone 30m deep, topped with a stony, treeless desert. Due to the regions very low rainfall, a modern water desalination plant using reverse osmosis process, produces frsh drinking water for all … however … ... read more