We began a new part of our journey on Monday as we turned south down the Stuart Hwy and after 80km's arrived at the border into South Australia. Here we were reminded to dispose of our fruit and veg so once more George and Jess ate the remaining mandarins and grapes, and I cooked the apples ready for sweets that night.
It was here a young tour bus driver began to talk with George about our bus and invited us to lunch. He had 7 tourists on board and food for 15 and was sick of throwing food out so he organised for us to meet them at the next rest stop for lunch. This worked out well as we were 8 days out of Alice and out of bread. We had hot bbq chicken drummettes and wings with salad and talked with the overseas tourists. What a change from sandwiches and rolls.
The country on this leg is very dry and sparse. The road surrounded by huge Cattle stations or Aboriginal lands, the latter taking up the whole north-west of the state.We camped at Cadney Homestead(no longer a free stop)and continued our journey into Coober Pedy on Tuesday,arriving at lunch time.
We had intended to do a 4wd tour out to the Breakaways but the one we wanted to do wasn't running. Jessica mentioned she'd love to stay underground so we used our saved money for that instead. She was excited and we booked into The Experience Motel(Comfort Inn)for the night and headed next door to the Old Timer's Mine. This was a step back in time - we donned hard hats and went underground into the mine which was a self guided tour through the history and facets of Opal mining.There was also a demonsration of a tunnel cutting machine and a blower.This is well worth a visit.
We ended the day up the main street at John's Pizza, which we had heard about in Yulara, with Pizza and Milkshakes for dinner. Our 2nd meal out in 7 weeks. Then headed back to the underground motel to watch tv(the first in 7 weeks) and go to bed.
Wednesday :we had a late start,leaving the motel in the rain,and headed back up the main street where we looked through the underground Umoona Museum and Opal shop, the Underground Book shop, and 2 underground churches - the anglican Catacombe Church and The Revival Church. The latter's Pastor owned the Motel we stayed at and we had several interesting discussions with him over the 2 days. His church had opalised shell fossils in the roof which were part of an ancient sea bed. The museum had displays of sea creatures from the dinosaur period.
The day has ended with a thunderstorm and constant heavy rain, quite amazing as the areas yearly rainfall is about 5 inches and we seem to be having it all now. Unfortunately we have booked into a c'van park out of town in a mining claims area that is accessed by 1 km of dirt. Could be an interesting exit in the morning.
Proposed Itinerary:
3 nights in Port Augusta after 2 days hwy travel. Possibly a detour to Woomera and Roxby Downs on these 2 days.
Adelaide - 5 nights
Victor Harbour, Coorong, Mt Gambier, Great Ocean Rd
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