Blogs from Arkaroola, South Australia, Australia, Oceania

Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 November 2016 We were away by 9.30am leaving Leigh Creek and heading for Arkaroola. We called onto Copley to ask what the road, and more particularly, the river crossings were like after the rain the previous day. We were told the school bus had got through so that was good enough for us. The road was good, as long as we drove to the conditions and slowing down at creek crossings. It took us 1 1/2 hours to travel 130kms including our stop at Copley. We were in no hurry. The car and van travels so well on any road we have subjected it to so far. Arriving at Arkaroola Village after travelling through several Aboriginal areas which had commercial outlets for tourists, we booked into the caravan park. There was ... read more

Thursday 27 June 2013 There's Nowhere Cooler than Arkaroola Waking up in a new place is always a great experience, partly because the view from the window in Gypsy changes and partly because there are new things to go out and explore. I played my cards well last night by leaving the washing on the line, it turned out to be a warm night and when I checked the washing just after breakfast it was almost dry, though I left it anyway as the sun was up, no clouds in the sky I knew it would benefit from staying on the line for the rest of the day. Once we were ready for the day ahead, flask of hot water and some lunch packed, we headed up to reception to pay our dues for another night ... read more

We cannot leave this morning as the roads are still closed. Bob unhitched his car this afternoon and we went for a lovely drive down to a Gorge and Waterhole in search of the Yellow footed rock wallaby. We were lucky enough to see a few of them. The sun came out this afternoon and the skies cleared. There is an observatory at Arkaroola. After dinner we went to the observatory to view the stars. We saw new stars forming, the planet Saturn and many other interesting formations. I haven't been to an observatory before and I really enjoyed the experience.... read more

Today we farwelled Rawnsley Station and the Southern Flinders Ranges to head North towards Leigh Creek. It is a little overcast today, and they are expecting rain today and tomorrow and then sunshine again. Our first stop was Hucks Lookout where we were lucky enough to see eagles soaring. We continued on toward Blinman which is the highest town (elevation) in South Australia. We continued on into the Gammon Ranges National Park. We stopped along the way so as Steve could take a photo of an eagle which was perched in a tree along the roadside. At Blinman we turned west toward Parachilna. This road was a dirt road, but it was in very good condition and we were told that we would have no trouble pulling the van through. We drove across some lovely dry ... read more

It is not uncommon to hear people in Adelaide claim that they live in the driest city, in the driest state, in the driest continent on Earth. There have been drought conditions in this part of the world for the last several years. Often, when I walk the streets of my new hometown I reflect on this fact. As I look around me and see all the beautiful gardens and flowering trees, I find it hard to believe that there is a lack of water. Not only is there a lushness around me, but my skin feels hydrated, and I lack the constant thirst I have when I am in more arid country. Throughout the winter we seemed to have plenty of days of rain. Far more than I ever saw when living in Southern Spain, ... read more