Port Augusta

16 December 2012
We bid farewell to Coober Pedy and sped on to Woomera. The location of several test missile launches back in the day. The display of planes and missiles was interesting, a little disappointing for the kids because they weren't allowed to climb over everything.

Woomera

It was 2.30pm when we finished having a look and considering it doesn't get dark until after 8.30pm we decided to go forth to Port Augusta. Turns out it is a pretty little city at the intersection of the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas.

17 December 2012
Today was a day to relax and kick back. We did a little shopping but that was about it.

18 December 2012
The Flinders Ranges National Park is only just over a 100km away so off we went to have a day out driving around and having a look. The country side is a site to see. All the mountain ranges were different in their rock formations, the wheat crops were in stark contrast to the baron landscape. There seem to be a lot of sheep for not much feed. And there is also a lot of ruins. Oh...and emu, ferrel goats and kangaroos.

Really was worth the day trip and you could certainly spend more time here since we only covered the southern half of the park.

Coober Pedy

15 December 2012
Had a tour of the Old Timers Mine. Looked through an underground mine and house. Found an opal ring that I'd like, so if you need any ideas for a Christmas present.

boys liked it, they got to wear a hard hat

In the evening we went for a drive to see the breakaways, dingo fence and moon plains. There really wasn't too much to see, the breakaways are just some hills that they say broke off the Stuart Ranges and the moon plains are named because of what the moon looks like.

the fence didn't keep out these two ferrels

Ayers Rock - Coober Pedy

13 December 2012
Caught the sunrise at Ayers Rock and Carl attemped the climb. He said it was really hard and he got nearly all of the way before heading back down.

half way up

bird's eye view

Left Ayers Rock and headed as far as we could south. We ended up staying on the border of NT and SA. It was so hot...we ran the generator to run the air-con until 9.30pm and thought we had better turn it off because there were others camped, but I really would have kept it going all night if it wasn't for Carl.

made it to SA

14 December 2012
Got an early start and made it to Coober Pedy. Interesting place. As you come into the area all you see is mounds of white dirt everywhere. Had the best pizza ever for tea at John's pizza shop.

view of Coober Pedy

Alice Springs - Ayers Rock

9 December 2012
We went and checked at the local market held at the Todd Mall. Was ok, got to see local art at the galleries too. Saw a few things I liked but was out of my price range (like always).

After the markets we went for a drive around town for look, the kids fell asleep so we couldn't go into any museums or the like.

Went out to tea at the local club and had a fantastic roast, could choose from four types of meat. Outside was a massive playground and jumping pillow for the kids. When it was time to go home Harry and Will were quite disappointed.

10 December 2012
West MacDonnell Ranges are definitely something to look at. The photos we took don't do it justice. We stopped off at Ellery Creek Big Hole for morning tea and the boys enjoyed a nudie dip in the cool waters of the swimming hole.

Ellery Creek Big Hole - water was cold

We decided not to drive the whole distance as it was just too far considering we are leaving for Ayers Rock tomorrow.

11 December 2012
Big drive today, Alice Springs to Ayers Rock. The journey was worth it though, the sight of The Rock is awesome.

Uluru - Ayers Rock

We tried to go for a walk, you can walk right around it if you like (10.6km) but the kids have pointed out that they don't like walking, which means they make us not enjoy it very much either. We did however cover a short distance and saw the location of where you can climb the rock if it is open.

dragging the kids along on a walk

The sunset at the lookout was nice and relaxing. We had a little picnic and the kids had fun playing in the dirt. Have found some furniture we like, haven't worked out how to fit it in the van though...

just kickin' back

12 December 2012
Visited the cultural centre they have at Ayers Rock. While we were there, a few presenters from NIT and SBS, along with Ernie Dingo and other aboriginals were also there for the first broadcast of the NIT onto SBS.

We left the cultural centre and travelled to Kata Tjuta.  Had lunch and did a little walking.

Kata Tjuta

Tonight we will go out to the rock again and watch the sunset.



sunset Ayers Rock

Mataranka - Alice Springs

06 December 2012
We left Katherine and arrived at Mataranka where we stayed at Territory Manor. They have Barramundi in a small dam which they feed twice a day, so I was lucky enough to feed a couple.

quick to get their food

We then headed off to  Bitter Springs and had a little swim. It was quite deep with a strong current so the kids had to be held in our arms. Luckily there were a few rocks to stand on. We were advised not to go to Mataranka Springs due to the large number of bats living there. We went for a drive around the country side but that was about all we did.

smelt a little bad but the water is clear

07 December 2012
A big day in the car driving, made it all the way to a free stop North of the Three Ways. Out with the generator to run the air con. It's quite hot. Oh, and we did pull into the Daly Waters Pub for a feed and a beer. Interesting place!!!

view across from the pub

here's a way to display your bottles Dad!

08 December 2012
Another big day in the car until we reached Alice Springs. We did make a stop along the way at the Devil's Marbles (quite spectacular).

Devil's Marbles

Cutta Cutta Caves

05 December 2012
27km South of Katherine is the Cutta Cutta Caves. We went on the 9am tour (which happened to be just the four of us). For some reason we weren't expecting to need any cash but when we got there it was $17 per adult. We had to scrounge around in the car until we came up with the money. Luckily for us we did.

The tour was great and lasted an hour. The cave was small but interesting. There was a couple of snake skins but we didn't see any live ones thank goodness. The bats lived further in the cave so we only saw one of those flying around.

Cutta Cutta caves

Katherine Gorge

03 December 2012
Carl woke up feeling under the weather so we decided to head off early and get to Katherine Gorge so he could rest. I even had to drive which was a little daunting.

04 December 2012
This morning Carl was all good, so we went off exploring the Gorge, not really...we went down to the water to find out the boat tour costs a fortune and so does the canoe hire. We opted not to do either and the lookout walk was closed so we turned around and went back to the van. Off we go to Katherine.

In Katherine we had a swim in the springs at the back of the van park we are staying at. The water is so clear and the temperature nice and cool.

Katherine Hot Springs

Leaving Darwin

02 December 2012
Well, our departure day has finally arrived after four months in Darwin. We have met some wonderful people and hope to keep in touch with them.

We think it is easier packing the car and van now, but it still takes along time, we ended up leaving Howard Springs at 10.30am Sunday after starting on Saturday.

First stop was just down the Stuart Hwy at Edith Falls, part of Nitmiluk National Park. Just a short walk from camp was a fantastic water hole. In the evening we took down the blow up double mattress and enjoyed paddling around.

Edith Falls

The night proved to be difficult to sleep due to the high temperature since there was no power to run our air conditioner. However we managed but looked forward to our next stop with air con.