10700 km, Mini tour in OZ

[dougman1]

The ride from Jervois Station to Alice Springs was 340km with 80km of dirt. You could see parts where bigs rigs had become bogged in the wet. Luckily we just had deep sand and corrugations.

It was time for some new shoes for the XT, the rear had only done 5500km and possibly had another 2k in it. Thing is, in these parts, it’s a long walk or wait for help. So stumping up for new tyres was a no brainer really.

Alice Springs Yamaha, slotted me right into the schedule.

We spent 3 nights here, it was a great place.
And on the Sunday we played tourist, with a bus trip out to the West Macdonnell Ranges.
Was a great day out, warm with sights to behold.















Experienced walkers only. Damn!

 

[goodie]

Great ride, Doug

 

[dougman1]

After Alice Springs we decided to head to Curtin Springs Station, there we could check out Uluru ( The Rock) and decide if we’d continue on the Great Central Road or head down and tour Oodnadatta Track, Flinders Ranges and others.

1028, 960 acres. The western side isn’t fenced, as the cattle will stay close to water. And thats what they use to muster them. Clever eh.



We elected for the accomodation on this night, as we had some serious decisions to make. And the heat of the day had made me tipsy….or it may have been the beer?



The owner of the station joined us, while his missus beat a Mulga snake to death after it was seen in the Aviary next to where we were sitting.

We learnt a lot about outback life.

They arrived in 1956, and the station didn’t receive any rain until 1967. Hard to imagine, This chap was only a little fella and was given a rifle and told to go out and shoot any cattle that couldn’t stand up. 400 head remained when the droughts broke And they finally got some rain!



Next night was a free camp!



The cloudless sky’s were a highlight. We didn’t see 1 cloud for over a month.



This is Erldunda roadhouse. A very busy spot on the Higway between Alice Springs and Adelaide.

 

[dougman1]

So we toured the Rock, Uluru and checked out Yulara.

It’s impressive enough, but we’ve all seen it a gazillion times on the telly.

Ticked that off and started heading South towards SA

 

[dougman1]

We rode the Highway down to Marla, we were in SA and we could see clouds in the distance.

Marla turned out to be the 2nd biggest shithole of the trip. With an Aboriginal woman hassling us for $$ at the roadhouse, and her younger male accomplice trying the doors and shutters of the closed Bar, we decided to press on.

Cadney Roadhouse was our stop for the night.








We were always up early enough to see the sunrise too. Starting to get cool in the mornings the further south we went.

 

[glitch]

We rode the Highway down to Marla, we were in SA and we could see clouds in the distance.

Marla turned out to be the 2nd biggest shithole of the trip. With an Aboriginal woman hassling us for $$ at the roadhouse, and her younger male accomplice trying the doors and shutters of the closed Bar, we decided to press on.

Cadney Roadhouse was our stop for the night.

View attachment 4048

Jeez, I don't want to know what Marla looked like, picking Cadney for the choice-overnighter.
This place looks like straight out of Wolf Creek

We were always up early enough to see the sunrise too. Starting to get cool in the mornings the further south we went.

View attachment 4047

Awesome shot!
Cold? You're a Kiwi, man!!
Born and raised to surf the icebergs in shorts and barefeet!
Getting soft in your old age?

 

[dougman1]

Only 1km from the Cadney Park Road house was the Painted Desert Rd. This would lead us to Oodnadatta eventually.
I was so happy to be back on the dirt. I had missed the sand and the corrugations dreadfully.

The evening before at Cadney Roadhouse.



This part of the world is just stunning. Very remote.

 

[dougman1]

Oodnadatta. Former rail stop. Now just a tourist town. Luckily it has a pub.

The friendliest flies live here too. Every time you stop the bike, they swarm all over you.

Tasty buggers!



There was a RFD ladies night here, so it was booked out. Thats how we ended up at the pub.
Camp site was behind the Roadhouse.



At least there’s a Centerlink agent in town. Could prove invaluable when collecting your pension!



A nice feed at the pub. And a couple of Sherbets to wash the days dust away.



It must have been some place when the Ghan was rolling through here.




If grass grew around here, it’d swallow up the museum.


With Petrol @ $3.20 per l. It was cheaper to walk than take the Oodna Uber.

 

[glitch]

And more great pics!!

Some bloody stunners, too!
Thanks for the take-along

 

[dougman1]

The Oodnadatta Track. From Oodnadatta to Maree.
Sometimes you’re doing 90 kph, sometimes 20 kph. Such is the varying road surface.

This was a good part.



William Creek Hotel for fuel and a pie.



With lake Eyre in sight this Art scape sprang into view.





Lake Eyre



It was like we’d landed on the moon really.



North of the Goyder line = unsuccessful farming.


Maree township Hotel


And at night, many tourists in these parts. Bus loads of em. The pub was so full at 6 pm until the dining room opened.