Day 1 – Sydney to Dubbo
After a very, very busy six months we are finally here. The day we head off on our 13 week adventure. It sometimes felt like we would never make it to this day. To make things easy for our departure, Scotty and I went and got sick. Not just a little bit sick, the sick like you can’t even get out of bed sick. Somehow we managed to get ourselves all organised and packed up whilst still feeling terrible. We’re on the road! Scenic drive through to Dubbo for our first night.
Day 2 – Dubbo to Cobar
Kids were excited to head to Dubbo Zoo today. Super quick visit, we will definitely be coming back to stay in one of the Safari Tents next year! Highlights were the Siamang Apes and the Otter feeding. Great morning had by all. Spent the afternoon driving through to Cobar. We stayed at a great little free camp at the Cobar Reservoir. We pulled up just as the rain set in, all the red dirt, quickly turned to red mud.
Day 3 – Cobar to Broken Hill
Woke up to an amazing sunrise, kids enjoyed playing in some red mud puddles. Stopped in at Cobar Copper Mine. This part of our trip is a big push to get to Coober Pedy, so long days of driving. Today was a long, long straight drive to Broken Hill. Lots of wild goats along the way for the kids to count. Arrived in Broken Hill and stopped in at Miners Memorial for a look at the views of Broken Hill. We stayed at the Broken Hill Tourist Park. Very cold night.
Day 4 – Broken Hill to near Port Augusta
Another big drive today. Big push through to just past Port Augusta. Nothing really exciting. Hamish has woken up sick, poor little man. The land is so dry, evidence of the drought is everywhere. Pulled up to a roadside free camp for the night. We had our first campfire of the trip and celebrated by roasting marshmallows. Hamish perked up a bit for the marshmallows and some board games after dinner. The kids are keeping us very entertained.
Day 5 – near Port Augusta to Coober Pedy
Woke to another beautiful sunrise. Chilly, chilly breeze. I’m looking forward to some warmth when we get further north. Bridget woke up last night with a temperature, we think she may be coming down with what the rest of the family has had. Hamish still isn’t well, he didn’t want to get out of bed.
We stopped in at Woomera, the middle of nowhere. It is so dry and desolate. The kids loved the displays of aircrafts, drones and test weapons. The drive from Woomera to Coober Pedy, Liam described it perfectly “all I can see is nothingness” and he was right. In every direction you look, there is NOTHING.
We stopped at Lake Hart for lunch. Wow!!!! Absolutely incredible. It is a breathtaking Salt Lake. Perfect spot to get out and have a walk and break up the drive. The rest of the drive was long and windy. We arrived in Coober Pedy and there was 45 minute queue to get into the caravan park. Caravans were lined up onto the main road. Crazyness. Apparently we’ve arrived in the busiest time of year, especially with the closing of the Uluru climb in October. Everyone is trying to get to Uluru before then. Caravans are packed in like sardines.
Day 6 – Coober Pedy
Great feeling today, to wake up and not have to move. We did a self guided tour at Old Time Mine. It was great and the kids loved it. Coober Pedy is nothing like I expected and everything like I expected at the same time. Which is strange, but I think I’m still not feeling the best so my feelings about being here are hindered.
Day 7 – Coober Pedy to near Uluru
Up bright and early this morning to try and cover a big part of the distance between Coober Pedy and Uluru. The Opal Mines seem to go on forever and look like little ant hills covering the horizon. Another uneventful drive today. Stopped in at a great little free camp spot, the Kernot Ranges Rest Area. I am loving the free camping so much more than I thought I would.