We left Port Augusta just after sunrise to begin the long drive to the red centre of Australia. The ranges and huge panoramic views made this our favourite drive so far this trip.
Just outside Port Augusta
Ranges View Rest Area
A goods train heading for the coast
Island Lagoon – salt lake with conical hill embedded in it.
Island Lagoon salt lake northern end
The highway was busy with a steady stream of cars mostly travelling north.
The highway crossed a salt lake by a causeway south of Pimba – the salt lake muddied by recent rains.
The start of a very long goods train.
Lake Hart is accessible from a rest area
There are vegetated dunes nearby and the new Ghan railway must be crossed to reach the lake.
Zach did’nt quite make it to the lake
The crusty salt-encrusted surface. Reasonable rain the week before had partially filled the salt lake.
Big sky at Lake Hart
A rare sighting of the Lake Hart Monster – in reality we had no idea what it was.
The reds became more vibrant as we approached Pimba
Woomera is just off the highway and worth the detour. The area was a rocket testing facility from the 1950’s and 1960’s and many of the test rockets are on display.
The large rocket in the foreground was called “Blue Steel”.
An image of a firing taken at the Visitor Information Centre.
Four disappointed emus leaving town after missing the cut for Woomera’s Dancing with the Stars. Actually they were wisely moving away from the road – sadly we saw three emus as roadkill today. Live emu count for today: 19. Also saw some magnificent wedge-tailed eagles close to the road. Wedge-tailed eagle count today: 4.
A dismayed emu with bad hair day. (actually wind gusting to 45km/hr)
Synchronised emu road watching.
Saltbush country
Glendambo Roadhouse for lunch stop. Premium unleaded 171.9c/litre.
Wind turbines outside Coober Pedy. We also saw a solar farm.
We arrived in Coober Pedy late in the afternoon. Its not everyday you see an intergalactic spacecraft. This one was used in the movie Pitch Black which was filmed here.
Sunset over Coober Pedy from the Big Winch lookout.
The colours in the outback sunset.
Dinner at the Outback Bar and Grill – recommended on Trip Advisor.
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