From Oodnadatta to Adelaide

After 3 days in Oodnadatta, I met another traveller in the Pink Roadhouse. He was driving a landcruiser south and like me, he had to change his plans because the Oodnadatta Track was closed. Together we drove back to Marla and followed the Stuart Highway south to Adelaide. 

I'll spend 5 nights in Adelaide visiting an old friend and then fly to Perth on 24.2.2014.

Coober Pedy, the opal mining capital of Australia.

The southern Flinders Ranges near Port Augusta mark the end of the outback in South Australia. 

Camping at Hancock's Lookout with Sascha.

The view across the Spencer Gulf at sunset from Hancock's Lookout.

The view of Adelaide from Belair.

Mountain biking in Belair National Park.

A Koala.

From Kings Canyon to Oodnadatta

Luke, Susie and I continued on to Uluru and the Olgas. Finally in Marla, a small settlement on the Stuart Highway about 1000km north of Adelaide, our ways parted. I wanted to travel to Marree and the Flinders Ranges via the Oodndatta track, so we said goodbye. 

The owner of a local construction company generously offered me a ride to Oodnadatta but then it rained for the first time in over 1 year, the track to Marree was closed and I was stuck. I helped on the construction site in Oodnadatta for 3 days in return for food and lodging. It was a nice experience in the town that claims to be the hottest and driest in Australia. 

Uluru just before sunrise.

The Olgas (Kata Tutja).

View from Karingana lookout in the Olgas.

On the Valley of the Winds walk.

The old Ghan railway station at Oodnadatta. This is about as back of beyond as it gets in Australia. 

The name says it all. 

 

From Mt. Isa to Kings Canyon

I met Luke and Susie in Mt. Isa and together we travelled in a 4x4 through the centre of Australia. The first part of our journey took us to west to Tennant Creek then south to the Devil's Marbles, Alice Springs, the East and West McDonnell Ranges. We followed the Larapinta Highway to Kings Canyon.  

Windmill at sunset near Tennant Creek.

A road train on the way to Alice Springs.

The Devil's Marbles.

The abandoned goldmining settlement of Arltunga in the East McDonnell Ranges.

Camping in the Outback. Only downside: lots of flies and mozzies.

Mt. Sonder in the West McDonnell Ranges.

Ormiston Gorge, my favourite swimming hole on the trip.

Kings Canyon from above. 

In the Garden of Eden at the bottom of Kings Canyon.