35.  Sprinting home via Port Augusta, Adelaide, Broken Hill and outback NSW

Port Augusta, at the head of Spencers Gulf reaches over 300kms into the arid lands, and is a virtual crossroads for east/west travel.
The city boasts an eighteen hole Golf Club, but ironically, no Gulf Club despite its presence.

Zoomed in across the gulf to see a 750m long train en route to Perth, and the Flinders Ranges.
The Indian Pacific can be seen peeping through between the containers. 

Magnificent folds of the Flinders Ranges. 

Like so many areas we have travelled, this area was extensively explored by Matthew Flinders in 1802 after he anchored just south of present day Port Augusta.

Personalised pre-1802 sign giving warning to Matthew Flinders. 

The easy way to explore the upper reaches of the gulf.
Flinders sent one team upstream by cutter, another team scaled the highest peak opposite.
The Flinders Ranges were named after his death. 

Great colour harmony.
The bridge sends trains on their way to Perth. 

Sturt's Desert Pea

As we headed south to the Adelaide area to catch up with some wonderful new friends we met for the first time in the Cape Range National Park, several months and thousands of kilometres ago, the amazing sights kept on coming.

Such a shame to see some great architecture just falling apart.
This would have been really something in its day.  

No front drive to welcome guests. 

Another classic
This has a larva-tree out the back. 

All alone!

The detour to Wirrabara in South Australia was well worth the effort, with the art work rivalling anything in any of the world's major art galleries.

The  framed artwork is brilliant

Unframed and equally outstanding. 

Look at the detail and intense stare of the eyes. 

3m high bird in such detail. 

Mega fauna

Note the height of the ladder at the base showing the magnitude of this art. 

Snowtown, a small rural town with four sheep in its name due to the two double ewes, is also known for the water tower which features one of the town's Country Fire Service's volunteers plus other worthy locals.

The art used 120 litres of paint and 300 spray cans.

Adelaide saw us for only a short time as we were in the area to catch up with friends, not sights, but enough to really appreciate once more this great city.
We will be back one day to spend some proper time there.

There appeared to be a gloom hanging over Adelaide with the upcoming test between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval. 

Imaginative way to end a storm water drain with Adelaide Oval as a backdrop. 

Hydro-foiled paper boat.

Ferry drivers apparently on strike. 

A beautiful city

Cranes indicating progress is still happening. 

Adelaide Oval stands taken by cricketing legend, "The Don"

The scoreboard remains having scored a century in 2011 and looking good for another 100 years of cricket. 

Just to show that The Don is not infallible, this blurred shot of Adelaide Oval is included, to bring the average down to 99.94. 

A quick stop at Burra, still in South Australia, as we head north on our way towards Broken Hill.

The town name of Burra possibly originated from these "wheelburras" in a town garden. 

Old world pedestrian footbridge

Accommodation for early miners, now budget rental accommodation with character, and 600mm thick walls.   

Built without alignment or string lines giving great appeal. 

Sydney and Newcastle recently were blanketed by dust clouds said to have originated in outback NSW near Broken Hill.  We could see why.

More dust about to cause havoc.
This lot is headed towards Adelaide.  Hopefully will change direction before the Test.  

Peterborough was visited by Don in 1972 when crossing Australia to a Perth Lions Convention with his parents, brother and a train load of Lions.  Now the train doesn't stop, so other train memorabilia make up for it.

More Cowboys and Indians than Indian Pacific.
This train started life in 1888 and was condemned in 1960, having travelled 900,000 miles or 1.5 million kilometres.
Just shows heavy training does pay off.  

Causing mayhem in the main street. 

Peterborough prior to the train down the main.

The old theatre once sat 1050 folk for early movies.
They were times when people were smaller, aisles narrower, seats closer together, and no thought was given to an exodus in case of fire.  

Now features a quaint coffee shop with quite a good reputation.
Marilyn Monroe and The Blues Brothers are also performing on stage. 

Taxi for special guests.
No one has been special.  

Driving into so many outback towns is always a mystery as to what is to be encountered.
Most of the towns indicated on the map are no longer in existence.

Mannahill Station opened in 1886 with intent of bringing gold miners and shearers to town on the one train a day.
It has been a long time since any of the eight townsfolk have caught the train. 

Gates to nowhere at Mannahill.

The sleepers look as if they have something more serious than sleep going on. 

Olary for lunch.  Lucky we were self sufficient. 

Bustling Olary. 

Driving into Broken Hill is a 53MW solar farm generating enough power for 22,000 homes.
It makes sense with the area having one of the highest levels of solar radiation in the state. 

Sculptures and sunsets are on the agenda at Broken Hill for those interested.  Fortunately they can be seen at the one location a short distance from town.

One of the twelve sandstone sculptures by artists from around the world.

Natural sculptures on the horizon. 

A recent addition to the sculpture park. 

We were here 15 years ago during winter and watched the sun set further north through the hole.
This is not climate change but seasonal change. 

The Palace Hotel in Broken Hill is at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to every aspect.
The hotel featured in the movie "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and it is easy to see why it would have been chosen as a set.

The Palace
Fit for a queen. 

Natural lighting with grand style. 

Mary Poppins would have loved all the staircases. 

Just like home.  Well almost.

During our photographing, Don took over carrying a heavy lounge suite from a barmaid.
This resulted in the manageress advising drinks were on the house for us.
Carrol can be seen propping up the bar.
Don is receiving medical attention for over exertion. 

Despite the movie being shot here, we found the hotel far from being a drag. 

Bells Milk Bar 5km out from town had its last major renovation in 1956 and has not changed since.
A confectionery and cordial store opened on site in 1890, becoming Bells in 1938.

Last major renovation in 1956.
Everything from that year was made to hold its age well. 

 A true working museum. 

The little green man has holds orbit overhead. 

Back on the road and eastward bound.

For security, we parked under the only street light in 200kms for our morning tea.
Solar power saves on wires. 

Willy willies springing up like tornadoes.
We could see up to five at the one time.  

Willy willy with road kill either side of road.
The crows and eagles feeding on the carrion thrive in this area. 

Small willy willy close up.
Rocks about 20mm diametre are being picked up. 

Goats appear to be in greater numbers than any other animal on the Barrier Highway east of Broken Hill. We witnessed them in 2005 and since then the numbers appear to have exploded.

Roadkill, mainly kangaroo, scatter the highway east of Broken Hill, at times feeling like a slalom course trying to avoid the carcasses.
We noted that we did not see any dead goats along the way as they seem more in control and simply stroll away from the road  as a vehicle approaches.  

There were no ifs or butts.
These weren't going to give up the picnic tables for anyone. 

Mum, Dad and the kids enjoying some quiet time. 

Cobar in central west of NSW is still in drought. We read where normally the area has an annual rainfall of 400mm, with an average evaporation of 2,400mm.
Now that takes living in deficit to a new level!!

Time to wash the dust out under the caravan park recycled water sprinkler.
Possibly Mallee or Australian Ringneck Parrots.
(Do teachers still threaten to ring necks of students or is it too politically incorrect?)

Washing the face on a grass face washer or taking a face plant on the slippery grass. 

Simply enjoying the communal shower. 

Beautiful plumage

There was movement at the town of Cobar as the word had passed around that the annual Christmas Parade was on, so all the cracks had gathered to the fray.
It is the one time all year when the Barrier Highway is closed to traffic with many ladies dressed up and the men not caring too much about fashion or even being there.

All the tried and noted riders from the stations near and far,
had mustered at the parade for the night. 

Note to organisers:
It could be worthwhile allowing the Western School of Performing Arts to walk before the pony club. 

Feminine tractor

The parade turned back on itself at a roundabout to allow all to see on both sides of the road; plus extend the excitement.
The ponies didn't make the return trip as they had run off to join the wild bush horses.
The street lamps have wilted under the summer sun. 

Don and his brothers were encouraged as kiddies to go and play on the highway. This gave them great road sense.
The chap in blue is doing the same with his three boys.
Another great Aussie pub in the background. 

The area has relied on Gold for many years, with the mine being just a few kilometres from Cobar giving great work opportunities. The Peak Gold Mine commenced operation in 1896 and simply hasn't stopped since.
More than three million ounces of gold has been mined in this time.

One massive hole in the ground, with a tunnel at the base leading away from the viewing position. 

Tunnels from years gone by in the lighter coloured vertical seam can be seen in the mid picture. 

Empty truck heading down for another load.
Not much latitude for error. 

One up, one down, passing on a wide bend. 

Like bees in to a hive, only going back empty instead. 

Our trip is almost over, from Cobar heading to the town of Warren for their annual Christmas Fair, and onto Merriwa in the top of the Hunter Valley for two nights, and a chance to wash and prepare the van for the first time without us for 253 days.

But first, this "stop/go man" sums up a lot about all that is needed to keep things simple.

He has tranquility, shade, four walls around him, a roof over his head, an ice box for drinks and food which could double as a toilet, protective clothing and a great outlook on life.  

He is also indispensable if the automated traffic signals fail to work, plus is blending in beautifully with the landscape as we all should.  

We post this blog from Merriwa on the eve of our return home after having all prepared as much as possible for the transition to normal life, looking forward to catching up with so many great friends and family, along with our new growing Grandbump; and Christmas.

At the same time thinking of and being grateful for our safe travels, great experiences and wonderful new friends we have made along the way and look forward to seeing again.

Our next and final blog will summarise our entire trip as best we can along with a summary of photos.

Thankyou all so much for travelling with us and sharing our blog with others in so many parts of the world.  We so much appreciate all the wonderful comments and emails we have received along the way.

Happy travelling in your journey through life.
Until our next and final blog of this series,
God bless.
Cheers,  Don and Carrol.