Photos Bitter Springs Mataranka

The most divine place to swim

Drift all the way down creek just letting the current take you.

Warm crystal clear spring water

Photos Longreach Waterhole

Sunset at the waterhole

A great egret waiting for dinner

Sunsets are brilliant here

Pelicans fishing at dusk

A darter drying his wings Huge numbers of darters present

Campers along the shore line

Coober Pedy to Katherine 2015 Van Trip 29.6.15

We have traveled steadily towards Katherine and arrived here at lunch time today the 29th June. The Stuart Highway is a very long very straight road that seems to go forever with not a huge varietyy of different scenery.  We spent a couple of nights in Alice Springs so that the Toyota could have an oil change, I could catch up on the washing and the shopping etc.  Then had another break of a couple of nights at Longreach Waterhole outside Elliott (on the Stuart Hwy).  The waterhole is down a 12km sandy track and is some kilometres long.  A very tranquil peaceful place with an excellent variety of birdlife.  Our first venture off the bitumen and the new van behaved admirably.  No dust.  There was not the huge number of birds present this  year but that was more than made for by the increased number of species.  I logged 43 species without trying too hard and I am sure there would be many more to find.  Even a Jabiru came by.  A real highlight of the trip so far.  We came here from Mataranka where we had another highlight.  Floating down the creek at Bitter Springs is a wonderful sensation.  Crystal clear deep water, luxuriously warm, overhung with tropical plants, and birds chirping away in the foliage.  Everyone should do it.

The Devil's Marbles (Karlu Karlu) about 90 kms south of Tennant Creek

Coober Pedy Photos 21.6.15

The Catacomb Underground Church

Abandoned wrecked machinery

Mullock heaps from diggings. We were told there are now 2 million holes in Coober Pedy.  The extent of diggings is greatly enlarged since we last visited.

Tunneling machine in Opal Mine Undergground

Mullock heaps everywhere

Caravan trip 2015 Coober Pedy 21.6.15

From Mannum we drove to Port Augusta which was a long day but as the weather wasn't particularly kind it was a reasonable thing to do. More pleasant rural scenery.  As we were tired the next day decided to spend it relaxing in Port Augusta. Tried out the washing machine which seems to do a good job and Bill fixed the water pump to the drinking water tap which had developed an air lock.  Did some shopping and later in the afternoon part of one of my molars fell off.  The very helpful staff at the Caravan Park organised for me to see a dentist the next morning.  The dentist turned out to be a  young chinese girl who was extremely gentle and, hopefully, very deft.  Got away at 11.30 am and set off up the Stuart Highway.  The Stuart was also looking quite lush for that part of the world after recent rains.  Stopped at Pimba for lunch and Bon Bon Rest Area for a night's free camp. A cold night but not too many trucks roaring past.  Into Coober Pedy by 11 am the next morning.  After setting up at the Big 4 we did a quick orientation drive around town.  Since we last visited in 2001 things have changed quite a bit.  A lot of modern homes have sprung up and the main street has kerbing etc.  All looks quite tidied up although there are still many many old wrecked trucks, cars, buses, tractors lying around. After lunch we drive out to the Breakaways which were looking very colourful.  Continued on the loop round past The Castle, the Dog Fence and out to the William Creek Road.  Lots of excellent scenery and a nice relaxing pace. A nice afternoon.
Today we spent exploring the township, visiting an Opal mine, opal shops, underground churches etc.

The Breakaways

16.6.2015 Van trip beginning

Before we could leave on Monday 15th June the van had to go back to Evernew to have two drawers fitted that had been omitted.  However, we were away by 1.45 pm and left in fine weather.  But about half way to our first night's destination the weather cracked up and we drove into ever increasing rain.  So far we are very pleased with the way the van is towing and the standard of finish of the cabinetry.  All appliances seem to working well and it is proving to be very convenient to work in.
Originally we had intended to camp at Green Hill Lake outside Ararat but the rain had turned the lake surrounds into a quagmire so we continued on to Stawell where we booked into the Grampians Gate Caravan park and spent the night parked on bitumen and didn't have to unhook which was a blessing with the rain pouring down..
This morning most of the rain had cleared except for a fine mist and fog.  Our new bed is rather comfortable and we had a good night's sleep. Today is our 53rd wedding anniversary.  Got away at 9 am under very low heavy cloud and fog but shortly after morning tea, just past Dimboola, the cloud lifted a little and the road dried up and driving conditions became quite good.  We passed through the Wimmera with the land looking as if covered with green fur.  This year's wheat crop is busy germinating and it looks like a good strike. The rain has come at a good time.  Then discovered that I needed to dump the fruit and veg as I had wrongly assumed that as we weren't entering a fruit fly area I could bring fruit and veg into South Australia. Did the right thing and dumped it.  Annoying but, thankfully, I didn't have a great deal on board.  Lunch at Bordertown in a local bakery which was rather a quaint establishment.  The chicken and veg soup was substantial and tasty and we were entertained by examining the huge number of curios decorating the walls and ceiling. Restocked here at the local Foodland.  Decided to travel as far as Mannum and arrived here about 4.30 pm.  Booked into a caravan park right on the banks of the River Murray.  Excellent amenities and lots of birds about. Black tailed native hens, purple swamp hens, dusky moor hens, large numbers galahs, black and wood ducks, pelicans, darters, noisy miners, etc.

Caravan Trip June to October 2015. Van photos.

Our new van was delivered last Friday the 12th June 2015 and we spent the weekend getting it set up and packed for this year's adventures.  The van really has the 'wow" factor with a very sleek and welcoming look.