Coober Pedy to Port Augusta

Dust storm greets at Coober Pedy

Giant Blower Vac.

Dog fence Coober Pedy

Marg and miner friend

Coober Pedy, you either love it or hate it, was the opinion that we had heard from several people. So, the expectation was high yet curiously, unexpected. very difficult to say how we felt on the approach to this out of the way desert town. i suppose that we were fascinated by the sight of the mullock heaps so far before we actually got to coober pedy that started our amazement.A drive through the town before we checked in was equally fascinating, interesting? Yes. Should we find out a bit more? Yes. Lets get our digs first. As we checked in, the wind came up and we went through a typical pedy dust storm. Visibility down to about 15 metres and still about 34C. Nothing like a cool change or RAIN eventuated, a typical Pedy dust storm. Next day, a bit of exploring and book in for another night. Proprietor said, you already in for 2 nights, yes we want to extend, ok then...Also we would like to book in for this afternoons tour of the area..ok thanks....Mini bus tour takes about 5 hours and was great. started a bit slow with a look at the local footy ground, watered by "you tourists grey water" and about the only green place in the area.A little more history about the town before touring the diggings and explanation of these funny trucks with big drums at the back. On to an open cut mine before moving out to The Breakaways range, spectacular. on to the Dog Fence, a man made structure to keep dingos out of south Australia that runs some 3500klms.Moon Plains, strange, any wonder these areas were used to film such productions as Mad Max, Priscilla and Red Planet, it's Way Out There..Back in to town and tour of underground opal mine museum and dugout house all in one. Wow and the gorgeous opals again WOW. back on the bus to the Serbian Orthodox church, again underground, very impressive. At night, we had dinner out at the local Greek restaurant and that was exceptional. Quite busy for a friday night. We leave the next morning but not before we visit the Old Timers mine. This was South Australias winning tourist venue in 2011 and that's no wonder. This is well worthwhile visiting as you can walk through the mine, see samples of opal still in the rock, the old ways of mining and the modern systems that all lead to a dugout residence, all very well done.

Woomera central

A long way to port Augusta, just over 520klms and too big a day for us. Nice and comfortable with a couple of hundred instead of the BIG days over 400. We head out of town and Simone at Macdonnel ranges was definitely right. We had seen a variety of landscapes before and after Alice Springs and that stuck out. The trip South is very much the same old thing although we do see some change from flat drab gibber plains to all of a sudden straggly, treed plains and back to a red soil again.We see other messas in the distance and ranges that are yet far off. Could they be the Flinders? probably. We push on to Pimba, a spot on the map where there is a Tavern/roadhouse/fuel stop. Not gonna stay at the free stop there, we head North again to Woomera into the towns caravan park. While I finish setting up and am informed about the happy hour that starts at 4.00pm in the bar within the caravan park ( Now that's a NEWY) Marg chose to take the 10 minute walk up the town and came back with an interesting report. ALL the houses look the same, only some are occupied and others although empty like the school, the shops, the hospital and the theatre, all LOOK great. well presented town in need of another owner, currently defence department. Great museum display in middle of town with more rockets than a bonfire on Guy Fawkes night .Previously housing 6000 and now only 250, a town with a past and unfortunately, not much future...The next day on to Port Augusta. A short hop of about 170klms. we pass valleys that lead to large salt lakes surrounded by more red soil. For the first time we see feral goats feeding on the scrub, More emus and the road kill has also changed. We see more cattle now since leaving the Territory interspersed with big Red kangaroos. We have also seen more wedged tail eagles now as well. a coffee break at a roadside stop that sees a venturer on a pushbike arrive. We hear he is from Bali and we settle down to a well earned coffee. We had turned the gas on to boil the kettle. Another couple in a 5th wheeler pulled in and so we offered them the rest of our boiled water, no sense in throwing it out and they were very appreciative. The Flinders look bluer than last year and we are actually looking out across the dry bed of Lake Torrens, largest salt lake in South Australia. i remember flying over this lake last year during the flight back from William Creek and Lake Eyre. Fuel is getting lower and we push into port Augusta before the fuel light starts to glow. I had planned the consumption of the landcruiser from my previous useage and allowed us enough to get to where it would obviously be cheaper. We arrive in Port Augusta and book in for three nights, the park overlooks the top of the Gulf and is back dropped by the Flinders Ranges and we will explore the town a little later. Fuel is more reasonable at 1.51/ltr and as I fill up i  redeem a 15cents/ltr discount on my Everyday Rewards card.