The Stuart highway to Port Augusta
Trip Start
Jun 08, 2012
1
18
24
Trip End
Aug 31, 2012
Port Augusta, South Australia, Australia
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Our first night was at Marryat creek rest area, followed by Mathesons bore, Ingamar rest area and finally Monalena lagoon rest area. The last by far the best. We met some interesting people along the way, in particular, the guy and his wife with 4 kids tenting their way to Uluru and eventually Cairns. Another couple who seemed to be following us part of the way, pulling into a couple of the rest areas not long after us.
The landscape can only be described as boring. Flat featureless plains with patches of occasional thick scrub.
The number of RV travellers on the highway was amazing. Caravans, motor homes, camper trailers, 4wd vehicles with roof racks piled high, Britz vans, you name it they were on the road. Further south along the highway we came accross numerous escorted wide loads. I lost count of the number of times we had to pull over to allow them past. Their loads were nearly always portable buildings. Perhaps mine expansion somewhere.
The only place we really stopped and had a look at was Coober Pedy. Firstly we stopped at the Breakaways just out of Coober Pedy. Named the Breakaways because they appear to have "broken away" from the Stuart range.
Then into Coober Pedy itself. Spent a few minutes at the tourist information centre and then the supermarket. One of the attractions which caught our eye was Fayes underground historic home. So off we went.
Faye Nayler and her 2 friends dug this home out with pick and shovel in the early 1960's. She now lives in Brisbane and the couple who now own it conduct tours through it. Importantly, this is their home so it's not a case of looking at a museum piece. Quite facinating. Just like any other home except that it's underground.
Had a quick look at Woomera - not much to see, and eventually reached Port Augusta. We were here 12 months ago, almost to the day. Picked up some info from the Tourist Information Centre, and caught up with the supermarket.
On the road again. We are heading to Mt Remarkable National Park between Port Augusta and Port Pirie.
We do catch up with everyones comments - thanks for those. We have not replied 'cause we are flat out keeping up with the blog .......and travelling.
Gloria, Ann can probably match you with the number of Uluru and Olgas photos.
