Adelaide and 8 days in the Outback

Having successfully arranged a relocation deal for the journey ($5 a day rental!) we dashed along the Great Ocean road from Melbourne to Adelaide in our huge Toyota landcruiser. Unfortunately we had slightly miscalculated our timings and couldn't really spare the time to stop and enjoy the sights as we would have liked, hence no photographs to show you! We spent a night on the road in a classic motel and arrived at around lunchtime the following day in Adelaide, we dropped off the beast and then had a look around the town. Nice place, particularly the central market where we over indulged in the array of delicious fresh food choices on offer.

After a comfortable night in a great little hostel we were picked up bright and early the next day by our tour guide for the next 8 days, the magnificent Chris Watson! We were soon leaving the crowded roads of Adelaide and heading out into deepest darkest Australia. The towns got smaller as we ate up the kilometres, we drove over the 'Goyder' line which signals the official arid zone and made our first trek into the Flinders range to spot the yellow footed rock wallabies.

We arrived at our first campsite, Wilpena Pound during the early evening and after pitching our tents enjoyed a cold beer before dinner.

Another early start greeted us the next day in order to climb up to the peak of Mount Ohlsenn-Bagge before the temperature rose to unbearable levels, great views of the surrounding areas awaited us at the top and a group photo opportunity to boot.

18 hot and sweaty group members - British, German, Swiss, Chinese

After an expertly cooked BBQ (by Dave) for lunch we were on the road again and heading for our next destination, Angorichina and our accommodation for the night in an old TB hospital. Eagle eyes Chris spotted this bearded dragon on the side of the road during the journey and even better still managed to grab hold of him before he scarpered.

The next morning we enjoyed a few kilometres on 2 wheels instead of 4 before climbing aboard the bus once more and spending the vast majority of the day on the Oodnadatta Track, albeit broken up by some interesting stops on the way. Towards the end of the day we came across 'the bubbler' a mound spring which creates a true oasis in the middle of the desert.

Next on the agenda was some world record breaking and a stop at the Coward Spring's bore hole. We stripped off for a refreshing dip, but it all got rather hot and stuffy when joined by several other members of the group, 18 of them in all, smashing the previous record by a whole 2 people!

You can just about see my face and Dave's tattooed arm at the back of the pool

After a night spent in our swags under the stars at William's creek we were on the road once more and heading for Coober Pedy. We sighted the longest man made construction on earth, the Dingo fence which helps to keep these wild dogs out of the South East corner of Australia. The back up plan for the fence is a group of men called 'Doggers', cue lots of sniggering in the back of the bus! We approached 'the opal capital of the world' via the Moon plains and the miles of old mine shafts which surround this town. A fair few people have met a sticky end while wandering around trying to find their opal fortunes.

The temperatures here are so extreme that the vast majority of the population lives underground and it was in one of these underground homes where we spent a lovely cool and fly free night. The afternoon was spent 'noodling' for that all elusive opal, what we really needed was one of these big boys to help out.

Enough of all that scrabbling around in the dirt and time for something altogether more enjoyable, a visit to the Kangaroo orphanage and the all important job of Joey cuddling. The best thing about this is that these babies need all the snuggles as they really should be spending most of their time in their mother's pouch but sadly that isn't possible cue random tourists drafted in to do the job.

Felix

The next day Dave got to 'cuddle' his favorite animal of the trip, a thorny devil; another sharp eyed spot for Chris on the side of the road.

By the end of the day we were in striking distance of Uluru and stopped for a climb up the incredibly red sand dunes just outside of the national park which surrounds the red rock.

After a disturbed night's sleep due to an impromptu storm we awoke before sunrise to take our spots overlooking Uluru. The sunrise wasn't particularly spectacular due to the remaining rain clouds, but we did get to witness a much rarer event over Uluru, a rainbow!

After more photos than it is surely humanly possible to take, we set off to walk around the base of the rock; a hike which turned into a swelteringly hot activity but showed us Uluru up close and personal. We returned to camp to recharge our batteries and then spent the afternoon at the Olgas, a group of large domed rock formations which are even more spiritually important to the Aboriginal people of this area than Uluru.

Sunset approached and we joined hundreds of other people at the 'Sunset viewing area' to enjoy this moment. Luckily we aren't as lazy as the majority of tourists and a quick 10 minute walk brought us to a deserted spot where we could toast this glorious sight with a beer and not have to fight for a good view.

Another day, another pile of rocks to climb; this time Kings Canyon. Situated in the Watarrka national park this 270 metre high canyon makes for a stunning if sweaty walk and the last of our amazing trip.

That night we were serenaded by the howling dingos outside the camp. The next day we made our last stop before Alice Springs to meet Dinky who "sings" along to anyone who is willing to torment him with their piano playing.

We finally reached Alice Springs that afternoon after a stupendous 8 days in the outback and waved goodbye to surely the greatest bush guide there is.

Not able to tear ourselves away from our new found friends we all met up for the last supper at an Alice Springs watering hole where some of you were able to spy us via the strategically placed webcams and even request a song or two using the wonders of the internet. Thanks Martin, Claire, Nicky.