The Back of Beyond: February 2014

Friday 21 February 2014

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.

Monday 3 February 2014

From Brisbane to Mt Isa

I've found a seat in a 4wd to take me to Alice Springs, Uluru and Adelaide, but I have to get to Mt Isa in the Queensland Outback to catch it. The only way to make it in time was by bus: 26 hours from Brisbane via Toowoomba and Longreach.

Brisbane.

Driving through the outback.

The trusty Greyhound bus. By the time we reached Mt Isa, I was ine of only two remaining passengers.

Surface flooding caused by recent rain.

Red earth, dry grass, scrubby bushes & anthills.

Around Byron Bay

lI stayed a few nights with an old school friend who lives in Mullumbimby. Mullum is a more relaxed place than Byron, and almost fully self sufficient. There are several points of interest close by including Mt Warning - the first place in mainland Australia to see the sun every day.

Mt Warning from afar.

The scramble to the top.

The view out to the east coast.

The track climbs up through rainforest.

A decent sized lizard near Brunswick Heads.

Me at the most easterly point of mainland Australia.

By the backroads to Byron Bay

After 10 days in and around Sydney, I was ready to leave and see a bit more of Australia. I wanted to travel via the backroads from Sydney north-eastwards to Byron Bay on the NSW-Queensland border. Luckily I found a rideshare on Gumtree with Scott from New Jersey. Over 4 days we drove the following route: Sydney-Blue Mountains-Putty Rd-Barrington Tops-Thunderbolts Way-Cathedral Rocks-Dorrigo-Waterfall Way-Sawtell Beach-Byron Bay. Here are a few impressions from the drive.