ON THE ROAD to COOBER PEDY SA

 We had  stayed another night at Curtin Springs in the hope that Mel may return as without phone reception here She cannot contact us. No show so, we set out for the long trip to Coober Pedy. We planned to make three overnight stops which turned out to be at Marryatt Rest Area, Marla Roadhouse and Mathesons Bore, each 150 to 170 kms apart.
  Marryatt was very basic with only one thing to note, flies, thousands of them that swarm to the face as soon as you venture outside. I had noticed that the number of flies have gradually increased as we move south. Not a problem at Alice Springs, annoying at Ayers Rock and Curtin Springs and maddening here. I must find out why, probably something to do with the climate I expect. Billy and Jules sensibly wear head nets that allow them to move about without going crazy. I will be getting one as soon as I can, I assure you.
  Marla roadhouse was a an oasis in the middle of not much at all. A hot shower, a decent meal for a change and a rest from driving for $10 per head per night was indeed good value.

 Last stop before Coober Pedy at Mathesons Bore, a large area of dirt in the scrub beside the Sturt Hwy, which turned out to be a popular place. By morning, about 10 other vans had joined us. Other than a few wild flowers that I found during a walk around there again is not much to report.

AYERS ROCK (ULURU) NT

  I have seen "The Rock" many times on TV and in magazines etc so I was surprised that it was a bit of a let down. Huge it is (11kms in circumference) with a surface far more weathered than you would imagine and very steep sided. People were of course climbing it (which is legal but frowned upon due to the erosion it causes). It just didn't inspire me like the Devil's Marbles did. Maybe because there is a Resort here at Yulara nearby and therefore everything is commercialised and expensive. First it starts with a 3 day pass to get into the Conservation Area at $25 per head. In my opinion ALL our national treasures should be free to the public. Inside the Reserve, there is an Aboriginal Cultural Centre next to the Rock with a few free things to look at and a big souvenir shop of course. I was "Rocked" out after about an hour, so went back to Yulara, a Township I thought it to be. Not so, just the "Ayers Rock Resort" with an IGA store within the grounds, a couple of Cafes where Hamburgers cost $18 and a cup of Coffee,$5.50. I needed to top up with fuel and settled for only 20 litres at $2.25. Was this a rip off or am I merely a winger.
 To sum up Ayers Rock surely is a must see. Once is enough for me though and I doubt that I would do the 700k trip from Alice again. I must also mention Mt Conner that can be seen in the distance about half way to Uluru. It is often mistaken for The Rock by travellers since it has an imposing presence being 4 times larger and around 42 kms in circumference.
  From here it's back to Curtin Springs and then on to the Sturt Hwy. Turn right at Erldunda Roadhouse and thence to Coober Pedy, the next Town, 500 kms to the south.Yep it's a long way between drinks out here folks!

Mt Conner

A strange formation  between the road and the mountain

ALICE SPRINGS to AYERS ROCK (ULURU) NT

  This is no Sunday drive, 200 kms from Alice to The Erldunda Roadhouse then left onto the Lasseter Hwy for another 240 kms, with only one road in, its another 240 kms back. We decided to break the journey up a bit and do an overnight at Finke River snd another at Curtin Springs. 136 kms in from Erldunda and then another night there on returning from Uluru. In reality then it is a 500 km round trip just to see "The Rock", it  better be good.
  Anyway, first up Finke River, beside a bridge and adjacent to a Cattle Station fence so I could exp;lor a bit. A typical Camp except for a couple of highlights, an abandoned Cattle Yard (as we found out from a farmer that drove by on an ATV and somethings that surprised us all, a herd of about 20 or so wild Camels!
   Next stop Curtin Springs Camp, pretty good. with lots of room and with only a few others around it does the job. You have to be self contained though unless you don't mind your toilet behind a tree. There were only a couple of tables under cover, a tank of water (not drinkable) and some garbage bins. Usual average Free Camp fare really.
  Now, Mel, our companion,  travels with a dog. She drove all the way to Ayers Rock only to find that no dogs are allowed, that meant that she missed seeing it close up. And then when She returned to Curtin Springs, the bloody thing became ill and She has left us temporarily to drive the 440 kms back to a Vet at Alice Springs. Mel says that She will catch up with us later. If you want my opinion I'd shoot the stupid thing. Its one of those fluffy toy jobs that are just a pain in the arse. Mel seems to think it is worth having though.  On the road, it seems every second Caravan has a dog or 2 or even 3 sometimes. No National Parks allow dogs, many Caravan Parks also ban them and all their owners seem to do is pick up their poo, crazy I reckon.
  We ended up staying a couple of days to see if the dog could be fixed and if Mel could rejoin us. No luck, looks like a reunion somewhere further down the track.

Finke River Campsite

          Thanks to Billy for the Camel Pics

Curtin Springs on the Lasseter Hwy NT

These Tree Types seem to be unique to the Lasseter Hwy region