Saturday 26th June 2021
Well we had our first freebie stay in the carpark of the Leigh Hotel at Copley. Unlucky for us we didn’t realise it was Friday night and the hotel was very busy. Not only that there was some big time party players who didn’t stop playing until 3.15am this morning. Lucky us!

Oh well, lesson learned, check what day of the week it is before you stay in a pub carpark. Hehehe!

It was very cold again this morning but we still managed to get away nice and early (9am-ish). Our first stop was at Lyndhurst about 37mins away to fill up the petrol only 169.9 cents per litre. OUCH!! The on to the Ochre cliffs – The Lyndhurst Ochre Quarry is a site of significance to the Aboriginal People. They used the ochre for Trade, Ceremony, Ornament, Medicine, Art and Burial. It had many shades of Ochre in the pit.

From Lyndhurst I had a drive as it was still bitumen all the way to Marree, so this was my contribution for the day, about 80km. Along the way I saw 2 wedge-tail eagles feasting on a carcass on the side of the road. As I was approaching from a distance I thought “Wow, those ravens are fat” but as I got closer they took off and to my surprise they were the most magnificent wedge-tail eagles. They are so large and amazing. I was very excited to have seen them up close again.

At Marree (formerly known as Hergott Springs) we topped up on our groceries. A small bag of not many groceries (1 capsicum, 1/2 head of broccoli, 4 rolls toilet paper, bag of chips, 4 apples, spaghetti, tin of bolognese sauce, 4 pack peaches, 4 butane gas bottles, 10 litres of water – cost $74). Imagine what things are going to cost at Oodnadatta or Mt Dare. Better blindfold David.

After having a look around Marree at the Ghan railway historical equipment we went to Hergott Springs which was a very small body of water. As I was on my way back to the car a group of brumbies came towards David sitting in the car. They were just having a peek to see who was there, then they headed off into the distance. As we drove away from the springs we noticed a green hose went all the way from springs to town. Maybe it services the town wil water.

As we left Marree we were now on the Oodnadatta track. As we travelled along you could see remains of the old Ghan railway tracks where the bridges went over creeks. The scenery was varied in colour and sparseness of foliage changed continuously, the road was mostly flat and straight but there were some undulating sections with a few hills here and there. We also saw salt pans in some sections.

We visited the Alberrie Creek Mutonia Sculpture Park. The entrance has two 1940’s Beechcraft Barron aircraft standing on their tails wing to wing like a modern day totem pole. There are many other clever works to see as well. It is the project of Robin Cook who was formerly a mechanic now an artist creating works from recycled rubbish.

We then passed Little Hill on left and Hermit Hill on the right. Then Lake Eyre came in to view, it was difficult to decide if there was water in it or whether this was a mirage. In the end we worked out that it was a mirage it was just a big salt pan. Wee headed to the Eyre Lake South viewing platform and walked 1km to reach the salt. There was no water to be seen.

We passed several old railway stations from The Ghan and still don’t really know the reason for all these stations as there is nothing out here. A little research is required here.

It was getting quite late and we were trying to get to William Creek tonight but I think that is in our dreams yet again. I didn’t want to rush and miss out on some of the sights along the way so we were thinking we may have to stop the night at Coward Springs instead. That decided we drove 4km off the track to see Hamilton Hill, The Bubbler and Blanche Cup – a hill and two springs.

Then quickly on to Coward Springs campground and spa for our home tonight. We got the second last campsite available. Phew!! We had a nice little spot surrounded by trees. I went for a walk to watch the sunset which was beautiful tonight with the little clouds in  the west.  he night was quite balmy and I managed a yoga session after dinner. Yeehah!!

Well we have two more days of travel to meet up with our friends at Dalhousie Springs and a bit of lost ground to make up tomorrow. Our timetable is to reach Oodnadatta tomorrow night and then Dalhousie Springs the following night ready to start the Simpson Desert trip on the 29th. Hopefully we can manage to get there in time. Wish us luck!!

Anyway, nighty night and big hugs to you all as you face the Covid lockdown. Take care and stay safe.