patevans

On the road again…..

Day 4 – REST DAY – Good to have a catchup/rest day (code for laundry etc). Also managed a nice valley walk in the southern Flinders where we are camped (Spear Creek) and climbed a steep, high hill to enjoy the end of day view over to Spencer Gulf. Camp is on a sheep station so we bought fresh lamb chops and leg roast. Great bush camp, secluded with our own flush toilet, running spring water and lovely views.

Day 5 – Driving and shopping day (Port Augusta). Overnight at Roxby Downs.

Day 6 – Our first taste of driving in the outback, Borefield Rd to Oodnadatta Track, and the first sighting of Lake Eyre South. Tried to walk to the water but it got too muddy after almost 1k. Camping at Coward Springs and Dick took a dip in the warm springs.

Day 7 and the end of our first week on the road. We have driven over 2000 k’s and today flew over Lake Eyre in a 4-seater Cessna. Lake Eyre is the world’s largest salt lake, approximately the size of Wales or Israel. The rivers that feed the lake cover an area of 1.2 million square kilometers, and no rivers or streams flow out of the lake. As this is Australia’s great artesian basin it contains a string of mound springs and we visitd a few today, as well as the ruins of Strangways where the Overland Telegraph went thru from 1872-1896. Staying at William Creek (population 12 except when there is water in Lake Eyre), and may be here for a while as all the roads out are closed due to rain, except for the one we drove in on.

Pat & Dick, the new grey nomads!

top of hill — Top of the hill, van at the bottom and view to Spencer Gulf

Dick in valley — Dick in the valley/ southern Flinders ranges

amazing tree — Magical light at days end and 400 year old gums in our bush camp

remote area sign — The beginning of our travels on outback roads

lake eyre sign — Lake Eyre, largest inland lake and lowest point in Aus

looking toward lake eyre — Lake Eyre South – a long walk thru mud flats

dick in warm spring — Dick in ‘warm spring’ at Coward Springs

mound springs blanche cup — Mound Springs-Blanche Cup

salt flats — Salt flats on the edge of Lake Eyre

in the pub — End of day drink in the William Creek pub, the only place in town.

road closed sign — Waiting for the sign to change from red to green.

Dear Friends and family,

We have just started our five month trip around a large part of Australia in the Lestervan. We’ve spent the last 18 months preparing for this trip, which has included selecting, buying and fitting out the Lestervan. The first three days have been pretty solid driving days (1500 k’s) so not much to report. We’ve had nice sunny weather most of the time and secluded camping in the bush. On night 3 we are just south of Port Augusta. To set the scene we have included a photo of our intended route, some pics of inside the van and some pictures taken in the first few days.

Love

Pat and Dick

Author: patevans

Week one of Australian Adventure-Southern Flinders to Lake Eyre

Launch of our Australian Adventure-including trip map