Andamooka and its opal fields are only 30km from Roxby Downs. The road is a classic outback road passing broad gibber plains and widely spaced red sand dunes.

The largest dune is only a few kilometres from Andamooka

Even the desert hardened vegetation was suffering from the extended drought.

The view back to the roadside rest area

The dunes are alive with many creatures (shy to our eyes though). These are lizard tracks.

Spinifex hopping mouse.

Insect activity

Insect tracks

Submissions welcome on this one!

This Wallaroo (Macropus robustus) was a bit tired – he was out of bounds.

Andamooka from the dune top.

A group of emus are commonly seen around town.

Opal dirt from shafts after processing

The entrance to the post office, opal shop and opal museum

Opals on sale

Opal in the museum

A random entry in the museum  – a  rare 1930 penny – they are listed for sale elsewhere averaging about $35000

Original miners’ huts with wattle insulated roofs.

The one on the right hand end was owned by Australian bushman Jack Absolom’s father.

Desert pittosporum

Landscape east of town

Lake Torrens from Andamooka

Gibber plain and sand dunes on the road back into Roxby Downs

We drove out to the dunes for sunset  – the reds accentuated by the evening glow.

An emu footprint

We tracked the emu across the dunes…

…to the plain below.

Admiring the afterglow.

Back to the rest area and view of the new moon.

Opal dirt mounds and the new moon

Just another quiet night on Tatooine – opal mining equipment silhouette

The road back into town to dinner at the tavern – we only saw one roo. Kangaroos never buy anyone a drink – short arms, long pockets.