Day 20

Wednesday, 3rd October
Wilpena - Broken Hill

Wilpena
Hawker
Cradock
Carrieton
Orroroo
Peterborough
Oodla Wirra
Nantabibbia
Nackara
Paratoo
Yunta
Mannahill
Olary
Mingary
Cockburn
Broken Hill

Distance Traveled

Today - 435 km

Total - 6994 km

 

Blog

Wilpena to Broken HillThis morning I woke and there was a roo with a joey in its pouch outside my tent. Bridget was feeding them (naughty).

We packed up camp and headed off.

The landscape of the flinders out on the planes was very dry. There were failing, dying crops and hardly a tree in sight.

The hills were totally brown without a single bit of vegetation on them.

There were ruins everywhere. Many full community farms were now nothing but rubble. This went on for many miles.

Once we met the Adelaide to Broken Hill road, the landscape was even dryer.

There was saltbush, but that was all.

Broken hill is a nice oasis in the middle of this harsh countryside. There are signs all around to say conserve water for our oasis.

Even the van park asks for the vans to let their water drain onto the grass.

Broken Hill is just over the South Australian border into New South Wales, but they still think themselves as belonging to South Australia. It is much closer to go to Adelaide than it is tp anywhere in New South Wales. They are even on South Australian time.

We found a camp and then went down the main street for dinner.

That night we were surrounded with Telstra workers on three sides. They stayed up late playing guitar on one side and watching TV loudly on the other side. They also woke up super early and it took them hours to pack up and leave.

We setup the extra sides of the tent to give us our extra room and more privacy.

Wilpena Pound
We had an early morning visitor with a Joey in pouch at Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound
Here are our visitors

Wilpena Pound
Leaving Wilpena Pound

Wilpena Pound
Last photos of the Flinders

Wilpena Pound
Another last photo of the Flinders

South Australia
The mountains suddenly dissappered and we were back onto dusty outback roads

South Australia
This landscape has been tried for farming many times. I can imagine many failures.

South Australia
Still some farming going on.

South Australia
One of the many small towns that we passed

South Australia
And another town

South Australia
And yet another town

South Australia
Between the towns there are mostly ruins

Orroroo
Orroroo. One of the many towns that seemed to be doing ok.

Orroroo
The pub at Orroroo. Must be doing alright.

Orroroo
A giant gumtree at Orroroo

Orroroo
Orroroo. Some info on the giant redgum

Orroroo
A big tree hug. This tree sure is big.

Peterborough
Peterborough. The town of the steam train

South Australia
The towns come and go again. Very small towns close together (100km), struggling.

South Australia
The next town

South Australia
... and the next

South Australia
... and the next

South Australia
Who says all the roads are straight out here. Look here's proof... or is that a mirage.

South Australia
A train. Not as long as the last ones we have seen, but still quite impressive.

South Australia
These strange blobs of cement have been painted. Adds a bit of interest along the way. Aha... a cache there.

South Australia
... and the last before the New South Wales Border

South Australia
Long straight roads between towns.

Outback Landscape
A typical outback landscape near NSW border

New South Wales
and we are now finally back into New South Wales.

New South Wales
Nearly at our destination. And then only another 450km to the next town.

New South Wales
Hmm, outback New South Wales kind of looks the same as outback South Australia.

New South Wales
Broken hill on the horizon

Broken Hill
Finally at Broken Hill

Broken Hill
A typical Miner's cottage at Broken Hill