TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE Days 14-15 ABANDONED GUNBARREL HIGHWAY

25-26 June 2012

STAGE 2 Curtin Springs to Wiluna Days 3-4

ABANDONED GUNBARREL HIGHWAY

After leaving the campsite we soon turned off onto the Abandoned Gunbarrel Highway. We needed a permit for this road and it was necessary to travel in a convoy of 2-5 vehicles in order to get a permit.

The Abandoned Gunbarrel Highway was a very picturesque drive. It was not challenging 4WD country but it was definitely not boring.

Some corrugations along the way. The sandy track was interspersed with gibber and stones. We were constantly surprised how quickly the vegetation changed.

We stopped for morning tea

and points of interest.  The original markers have been taken down and replicas put up in their place.

This road must not be used often as termite mounds are forming on the track.

Early stop today as after afternoon tea it was noticed that Garry’s Oka was leaking oil. So everyone pitched in to give a hand. It was a lovely afternoon as the wind had died down until 8:00pm.

We had a lovely evening again around the campfire. During the night camels visited the campsite but none of others heard them.  We saw the new tracks and place where they had made themselves comfortable during the night very close to the Okas.

Next morning we continued along this section of the highway enjoying the scenery as we meandered between sand dunes and occasionally over them. There is even a place, not on a corner with a sign stating it is a „Million Dollar Corner“.

After morning tea stop we came across a section that had been graded and was smooth sailing for a while. Then we hit some corrugations that were like going over a grater.

We stopped early for the night near Jackie Junction early in the afternoon. 

A nice campfire again brought the day to a lovely end.

Camels visited us again at night but we did not hear them.

TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE Day 13

24 June 2012

STAGE 2 CURTIN SPRINGS  TO WILUNA DAY 2

GREAT CENTRAL ROAD – DOCKER RIVER TO WARAKURNA - GILES

We are in Ngaanyatyarra country.

After a false start this first morning – our car wouldn’t start and had to be bump started - we meandered past Docker River and met up with the 4th Oka.

There was an abandoned white commodore left in the middle of the road. Apparently it was not there last night when one member of our party had continued on.

We saw wild camels and had morning tea at the base of a tall rocky ooutcrop. Although it was 14.5C it was icy cold due to the wind.

One dingo inspected us all closely. It looked, walked and ran just as our grandchildren’s dog Jetta does. A second dingo just made it across the road without being hit by us.

There were a few abandoned burnt cars along the way.

Two graders were grading the road and a police car passed us the other way.

Ranges on our right added scenic interest.  The myriad of greens along the way were mersmerising – yellow greens, olive greens, grey greens, lime greens, caramel greens.

When we stopped we could explore the surrounds. 

Lots of beautiful, tiny flowers in reds, pinks, yellows, purples and paddy melons along the way

.

The casuarinas looked so lovely.

As we were in spinifex country we started to collect wood along the way.

We stopped at Warakurna Roadhouse near the Giles weather station. They had the best showers. This roadhouse was not here in 1985 when we were last here.

The gallery had beautiful pieces of local art. There was also an informative video linking the art to everyday life, the stories of the people, how to find honeyants, bush tucker. „Our paintings are hand of friendship to you“ the placard stated. What a gift.  

One of the artist's work was featured on a building at Giles Weather Station.

In mid afternoon we went across to the weather station for the tour and release of the balloon. All balloons end up in the tropical air stream going from west to east.

Len Beadell’s grader has pride of place outside and his paintings are inside the information centre.

Also the remains of the Blue Streak Rocket launched in 1964 on 5 June from Woomera are found here. It was found 50km SE of Giles in 1980. We saw it when we were here last time.

Lovely night around the campfire to finish the day.

TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE Day 12

23 June 2012

STAGE 2 Curtin Springs  to Wiluna Day 1

CURTIN SPRINGS – JUST OUTSIDE DOCKER RIVER

Cold start again – 4.5C. As we drove out with the other Oka’s the red earth provided a contrasting background to the yellow green grasses, shrubs in various range of greens and yellow paddy melons.

The Olga’s and Uluru Rock looked luminescent in the early morning light. The Olga’s particularly looked so regal, majestic. They are much more impressive than Uluru.

We dropped in to fuel up at Yulara then stopped near the night viewing area to admire Uluru. Amazing how different all the Okas are.

A leasurely drive today although one of the party tended to be speedy gonzales and drove way ahead all the time.

We decided to call it a day just off Tkukaruru Rd (formerly known as Petermann Highway) on government land.

We camped before getting to Docker River. It was somewhat breezy so although we collected firewood we decided it was not worth lighting a fire in our current location. One member of the group decided to go further along and did not stay with us here.

We are in the centre of Australia and you expect the days to be warm. Well it is cold, cold, cold. Inside it is comfortable but outside the wind is cold. We are still sleeping in our very warm winter pjs that we usually only use when we stay in the Oka in the snow. No shorts or t-shirts yet.

TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE Day 11

22 June 2012
STAGE 1 Jindabyne to Curtin Springs  DAY 11

CURTIN SPRINGS

Short drive today. As we drove closer to Curtin Springs views of Mt Connor rose majestically out of the landscape. We turned off onto the dirt road to Victory Downs as the other Oka’s had camped there last night.

We were so absorbed with the views of Mt Connor that we missed the Oka campsite. They called us up on the radio to tell us we had gone too far.

Harry was in the middle of the road waving when we finally turned back to find the spot.

We soon met our fellow travellers. Jenny and Harry in Oka 45, Gary and Chris in Oka 306 and Tony and Betty in Oka 123. Looks like we are in for some fun.  An interesting assortment of personalities.

We soon took off for Curtin Springs as we were meeting our friends who were travelling west to east at Curtin Springs.

Just after noon we were all set up. The other Oka’s soon joined us. So we alternated between the two groups as we caught up with friends and got to know our fellow traveller’s. This trip was Gary and Chris‘s initiative.

We were also entertained by the local emu wandering around the park.

As I baked some bread we had some nibbles and champagne with our friends. Then after a lovely dinner out we continued to catch up over a drink or two. Fabulous night.

TRIP to CANNING STOCK ROUTE Days 8-10

19-21 June 2012

STAGE 1 Jindabyne to Curtin Springs  DAYS 8-10

BLINMAN – OODNADATTA TRACK - WILLIAM CREEK – COOPER PEDY – BREAKAWAYS – LASSETTER HIGHWAY – CURTIN SPRINGS

In the morning we went for a tour of the block. Lovely views from the three hills on the block.

Before long it was time to be on our way. Once we hit the dirt road we dropped our tyre pressures. What a difference to the ride!

We dropped in at the Marree Hotel to pass on greetings from the guy who did our kitchen. His mother-in-law is the publican. Marree has grown considerably since we were last here 4 years ago. Lots of donga style motel accommodation to cope with the increased visitor numbers.

Outside there is the truck of the last postie, Tom Kruse, along the Birdsville Track.

Each time we drive along the Oodnadatta Track it is a different experience. This time we saw the flora with touches of crimson.

Lake Eyre South has lots of water still.

There was also water along the way in the many creeks.

We pulled up at Coward Springs for the night. It was cold so we didn’t go for a dip in the spring. Hubby has the dreaded lurgy and I was starting to come down with it as well.

Next day we struggled on to Cooper Pedy 

and camped near the turn off for the Breakaways. The dog fence stretching across SA, NT, Qld and NSW was close by.

The Breakaways are just amazing. The colours are glorious – whites, burnt oranges, mauvy greys, crimson greys, browns. The landforms were just amazing. This little place of wander just off the main highway yet so hidden.

At Cadney Park Station an unusual ‚scuplture’ was created to amuse the passerbys and for passerbys to add to.

Before we got to Lasseter Highway we heard a truckie over the radio comment that it was unusual to see two Oka’s travelling so close together. Obviously someone else was in front of others. We wandered if they were from our group.

We camped along Lasseter Highway not far from the turn off as we‘d had enough driving for today.