Oodnadatta Track - Marree to Marla

The Oodnadatta Track is one of those tracks that are a definite on anyone’s around Australia to-do list. It can be done by pretty much anything ranging from a Toyota corolla, to a Winnebago and more commonly road trains full of cattle. The 617km stretch from Marree to Marla is one that is forever changing with sections just been graded making it like travelling on glass, others which is more like dodging craters on the moon, and the section I hate most...the corrugations. The sweet noise of silence is something I treasure now; hours go by when I can’t even hear myself think and even the car tells me it’s over it when random items fall on my lap and the dashboard starts creeping more and more towards me. Luckily, Dave has mastered to art of hovering over the corrugations. Instead of feeling every vibration, having the right car speed allows the vehicle to jump the trough and only touch the crest of the wave. In most cases faster is better.

Along the track we stopped for the night at one of the most popular stops, Curtin Springs. One attractive bonus was the developed thermal spa which was a beautiful 30 degrees. Sitting there with a beer in hand watching the world go by in the middle of nowhere was ....awesome. The camping area was very well maintained but overpriced. We tried to scam the system but were caught out when the site manger rocked up on his hippy bike and asked for another $10.

The track was pretty ordinary from Curtin Spring onward. Dad was doing extremely well keeping up with us. His perception on corrugations was to slow down to an absolute crawl and ride every bump but now, after some training he’s calling us slow coaches. Next stop was William Creek and its classic pub/hotel. Inside was everything I’ve heard of; full of business cards, student ids, dusty hats, photos, t-shirts, everything imaginable. Whatever could be hung on the wall was there.  The only drawback was the insane price of fuel - $2.25 litre. “eek” I said, “we can make it to Oodnadatta”.

The caravan park there was quite nice and reasonable. However, when there is no T.V signal, no mobile reception, and no camp fires allowed, you have be innovative to find free entertainment.

New game: 1 million mice vs. Dads thong.

How to play: place random bits of food around a particular area and use the thong to hit the mice as they come in to feed.    

Jessica 9, Mice 999,991. Damn mice.



He's cool



On the Road Again - Extra Casualty

First day on the road with Russell was a good sight to see. His Toyota Landcruiser 75 series 05’ model and Northstar slide-on is now a definite member to our QueenslandCruiser(s) team. One thing Dave and I will need to get use to is dad’s 9.30am call on the radio “cuppa tea time?”.

 First stop was Roxby Downs to fill up on all essentials like grog, fuel, and possibly food after our 3 month bludge at the farm. The whole idea of not having Megan’s insanely epic cooking and resorting to my very basic pre-packaged sauces was something of an issue. Knowing the homemade pikelets at morning tea time, the bbq lunch’s out in the fields, and large family roasts (not just on Sundays) for dinner weren’t coming did make me cry at little. For that lifestyle I was punished with an extra hole in my belt.

 The first day out on the road as QueenslandCruisers didn’t honestly go to plan. The caravan park wanted to charge $38 p/n, the free rest area actually didn’t exist, it was very, very late in the afternoon, and Dave and I were still hung-over. I don’t think dad was all that impressed with our organisation skills. Making home on the side of the road hoping we wouldn’t get mugged; it was a rushed dinner and an early night in bed. That night, it also reached 0 degrees...not so good.

Next stop was along the Borefield Road north to Oonadatta Track then along to Marree. This was a definite stop for us for two reasons: 1, who doesn’t want to see the Marree Pub and 2, we’d did sorta have a flight booked over Lake Eyre.

We casually camped at the back of the pub (note: dollar coin for hot showers) and chilled with the mob from HEMA maps. Dad was more interested in the Ghan Railway history at the town. It was an important stop along the track because the rail line changed from 3”6’ to standard gauge, 5”3’ (dad has his head over my shoulder making sure I say it right).

The town of Marree isn’t much of a town only consisting of a pub, roadhouse, police station, and one airstrip. Even though the lack of entertainment, the pub was a certain highlight.

Our pilot was Vicky from Cashmere Brisbane who flew a blue Cessna 210. It was a comfortable little four seater but Dave was convinced on seating in the co-pilot seat. I was concerned as Dave’s knees were within centimetres of the oxygen-fuel ratio nob, the joy stick, and the rudder pedals; one slight move and something could have gone wrong. Besides that, it was an amazing flight seeing the lake full which at its deepest is only 2 metres deep. The early morning flight gave us the opportunity to view the pink tinge on the lake formed by the salt water algae which did make nice photos with the sunrise in the background.

LAKE EYRE FLIGHT – TICK!

At Lake Eyre South

 



Touching Lake Eyre North