Australia Road Trip: Day 16: Mildura to Wagga Wagga

Around 9.30am we left Mildura, and headed out on the Sturt Highway for the drive to Wagga Wagga. The Sturt Highway is just a two lane road, heavily used by trucks. A man was killed on this highway yesterday in a head on accident with a truck, when he veered onto the wrong side of the road. It would only take a momentary lapse of concentration for disaster strike, so I would recommend frequent rest stops along the way. To compound matters, much of the journey consists of a long flat plain that stretches for hours, making the trip very boring. As a result it is a pretty dangerous road, and I will try to avoid it in the future.

We arrived at Wagga Wagga in the late afternoon, and booked into the Quest Apartments. They have nice rooms (pictured above) for the same price as a motel room.

Although Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city in New South Wales, it is practically deserted by 430pm. It’s so green, and prosperous in comparison to what we have seen in the last week.

Wagga Wagga is the regional centre for the Riverina, and a major trasport hub. Tomorrow, we will pick up the Hume Highway just half an hour east of here for our drive back to Sydney.

Hope you have enjoyed reading about our Australian Road Trip. It's been quite exhausting , so we are heading home for a rest.

Australia Road Trip. Day 15: Broken Hill to Mildura

It was an easy drive today, only three and a half hours. I originally planned to drive to the Gold Coast over a couple of days; however we both over so driving now, that we could only handle short drives now.

For the first half of the trip the scenery doesn’t change much from what we have seen for the last six or seven days (pictured below).

Then, after about an hour, we see some trees, it's great to see lots of trees.

We checked into our motel, the Tropical Islander Resort, and went to Mildura Centro Shopping Centre. Fans of the TV show, Kath and Kim, might recognize a Kath Day-Knight look alike in this picture below.

We drove the Tourist Drive around Red Cliffs, an area containing many vineyards. Mildura is of course on the mighty Murray River (pictured below).

Tomorrow, we are off to Wagga Wagga, the final destination, before heading home from our Australian Road Trip.

The historic town of Silverton is situated about 25kms from Broken Hill. It used to be an old mining town, where at its height there was a population of 3,000, and now less than 100 remain. It is eerily desolate. I think ‘Ghost Town’ best describes the place. I was waiting for a tumble weed to roll down the street.

Our first stop Silverton Gaol (pictured above).

This is the famous Silverton Hotel (pictured above). Note Mad Max's car 'last of the V8's...sucks Nitro" at the front.

Mundi Mundi Lookout - you can see ' miles and miles of nothing'

Steve saying "Where the bloody hell am I?"

That's what we have just driven across for six days. They say the desert can do funny things to a man. It can even drive a man insane, after six days of driving across it - I think I’ve reached that point.

Continuing past the Silverton Hotel you will come to the Silverton Tea Rooms (pictured above). They do a good Devonshire Tea at genuine 1979 prices; four scones and two pots of tea for $8.80.


Back at Broken Hill we visited the Broken Hill Community Markets (pictured above) at 200 Beryl Street. Louise bought Art Deco salt and pepper shakers for two dollars.

We had a walk up the Main street browsing the interesting shops, before driving to the 1950's Bells Milk Bar (pictured above) on Patton Street, South Broken Hill for some of their famous milkshakes. This milk bar has won numerous tourism awards.

Louise loves their milkshakes, and the 1950’s décor.

Tomorrow, we’re off to the Victorian town of Mildura.

Australia Road Trip. Day 13: Port Augusta to Broken Hill

We left our fortified compound, and said goodbye to Port Augusta "the crossroads of Australia'. As commented on Tripadvisor.com, Port Augusta, could be a really good town, situated at the top of the Spencer Gulf, and at the foot of the Flinders Ranges, however it's 'social problems' means tourists will always just pass through. I mean if you have to be a prisoner in the hotel, and can't take a romantic stroll along the river, then it’s hard to attract tourism. The Oasis Majestic is a very good hotel, and with good reason are rated number 1 on Tripadvisor in Port Augusta, we feel so sorry for them, but what can they do?

"So nice to see some beautiful scenery" Louise commented, as we head up towards the Horrocks pass into the Flinders Ranges, and then through the town of Wilmington towards Orroroo.

At Orroroo we stopped at the Giant Red Gum tree (pictured above) with a 10.89 metre circumference, and with an estimated age of over five hundred years old.

Peterborough, is a cute country town (pictured above).

Soon, we are on the Barrier Highway, which will take us to Broken Hill. After booking in at our motel we drove up the 'Slag Heap' that dominates the town to the Broken Earth Cafe (pictured above) for some afternoon tea.


There is a great view of Broken Hill from here (pictured above).

Unfortunately, I have seemed to have shrunk in this heat (pictured below).

Tomorrow, we are going to Silverton, the home of the famous Silverton Pub, where Mad Max was filmed.

Australia Road Trip. Day 12: Coober Pedy to Port Augusta.

Louise has called the drive from Coober Pedy to Port Augusta "the most boring drive in the world", and I can't really argue against that. Five hours of boring flat featureless arid land - 'miles and miles of nothing'. I think it's worse coming back, but Louise disagrees saying every mile travelled takes us closer to Mosman. I have resorted to comforting her by promising our next holiday will be at her favourite place in the world, Turtle Beach, on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. It seems to calm her instantly.

This stretch of the Stuart Highway (pictured above) is also a landing strip for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Just as we are passing this point, Louise lets out a cry, "I've left all my clothes in the cupboard!” So, for the third time Louise has to return to Coober Pedy, and added three hours onto the trip she already hates so much. Life's cruel. Travels’ an adventure - right?


We've picked up the clothes, and are back on the road. About two hours out from Coober Pedy is Glendambo (pictured above).

Travel Tip: Go to the Mobil service station not the BP service station, as they are much nicer, and most importantly, have toilets.

Back on the Stuart Highway, or "the track" as the locals call it and it really was not much more than a track until it was sealed in 1987.

We passed Spuds Roadhouse at the town of Pimba without stopping, eager to reach Port Augusta, and for this leg of our trip to be over.

Finally, we reached Port Augusta, and our home for the night, The Oasis Majestic Apartments. The Oasis Majestic Apartments is like a security compound (is that a bad sign?), our own little gated community, by the river. The rooms are nice (pictured below)

There is a view of the river (pictured below). The boys in blue (actually tan) were down there moving on some of the local inhabitants when we first arrived, hence, I guess the security.

Tomorrow, we are off to Broken Hill, where we will have the luxury of staying for two nights.

Australia Road Trip. Day 11: Alice Springs to Coober Pedy

To get back to Sydney from Alice Springs we can either go North or South on the Stuart Highway. To the east there is only the unforgiving Simpson Desert, where only mad 4wd enthusiasts attempt the crossing to Queensland.

The Northern Route means driving to Tennant Creek, then east past Mount Isa, then down the Landsborough and Warrego Highways through the towns of Longreach, and Roma, to meet up with the Pacific Highway or New England Highway. At least four days hard driving.

The Southern Route means heading back to Coober Pedy, the only real town (I use that term loosely) to stop for the night, and then to Port Augusta. From Port Augusta we will be heading east over the Flinders Ranges to meet up with the Barrier Highway to take us to Broken Hill.

So, Louise is going back in Coober Pedy, despite swearing that she would never go back there again. However, she is pleased she was able to book the last available above ground room at the Desert Cave Hotel, which is the supposed to be the best place to stay.


At the Marla Roadhouse they are very health conscious; here's a sign they have up in the toilets (pictured below).

The Desert Cave Hotel is on the main street, Hutchinson Street, Coober Pedy, conveniently opposite the best restaurant, John’s Pizza Bar and Restaurant. Here is our hotel room (pictured below). I think you would agree it's a big improvement on our last room in Coober Pedy.


The hotel even has a pool to cool off in (pictured below).

Travel Tip: If you have to go to Cooby Pedy, stay at the Desert Cave Hotel, but book in early.

Desert Cave Hotel

Hutchinson Street, Coober Pedy

www.desertcave.com.au

We went for a walk in town, and had a conversation with one of the Opal Shop owners who told us crime was very bad in Coober Pedy, and he had been robbed twice. He advised us not to leave anything valuable in sight, and be careful walking around even in the daytime. We walked warily back to our hotel.

The hotel has its own underground museum that is very interesting. Some trivia;
80% of the world's Opal is found in Coober Pedy, and 99.75 % of Opal found is not valuable.

When we got back we experienced a dust storm.

Five minutes before.

Dust storm (pictured below)

Then the rain came down heavily, followed by hail, and then it was gone as fast as it had come.

We walked across the road to the popular John's Pizza Bar and Restaurant for dinner.

Tomorrow, we are driving to Port Augusta, where we will be staying the night.

Australia Road Trip. Day 10: Alice Springs

Today, we visited the Historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station, the site of the first white settlement (pictured below).

This is the Post and Telegraph Office. In the 1870's the Overland Telegraph was Australia's only communication link, which passed through here, across Asia to London. The Telegraph operator had to tap away using Morse coded messages. Watch now, for my demonstration (pictured below).

It's amazing to think that today we can sit in our air conditioned hotel in Alice Springs, and use the Telstra Broadband wireless network to connect to the internet to maintain this blog, which can be read instantaneously by anyone around the world.

This waterhole was named in 1871 "Alice Springs", after the wife of the Postmaster General.

Louise showing she has the ‘photographer’s eye” with this photograph of the stock yards.

Our next stop was the Old Ghan Museum (pictured above), where we explored an Old Ghan train that used to make the long journey across the arid interior to Alice Springs. It wasn't until 1929 that the railway reached Alice Springs, and after having driven across that harsh country, I could imagine laying the railway track would be pure hell.

The 'Ghan' train is named after the Afghan camel handlers who used to drive the camels, the descendants of which, we nearly drove into yesterday on the Lasseter Highway.

Tomorrow, much to Louise's dismay, we are driving back to Coober Pedy, but she is glad where not staying underground again.

Australia Road Trip. Day 9: Yulara to Alice Springs

After leaving Yulara, we were driving along the Lasseter Highway when I saw these brown shapes on the road in the distance.

"What's that on the road." I said.

"Camels" Louise said. There were about seven camels standing on the road.

I had to stop as this group of wild camels slowly meandered across the road looking at us stupidly. Of all the wildlife you can hit out here, I can't believe we could have hit a camel!


Taking a left hand turn onto the Stuart Highway, the terrain soon changes (thank goodness), as we head into the McDonell Ranges that surround Alice Springs.

The 130 kilometre per hour speed limit is not fast enough for some, when we were passed by another car like we were standing still. I told you it's like Mad Max out here, except instead of Max's Police Interceptor with 400 horsepower; we're driving a Honda Euro with four cylinders.

Around 3pm Eastern Standard Time we were entering Alice Springs. We passed the Ghan Train on the way through the town.

Lasseter's Hotel and Casino is an oasis in the middle of Australia. This is our room.

We drove to Woolworth's car park in Alice Spring's CBD. Whilst I sat in the car 'a man of Aboriginal appearance' walked up to the car next to me, put his face against the glass, sheilded his eyes from the glare, and peered into the car before moving off again. I sat watching, sheilded by my car's tint, as a procession of people similar in appearance wandered through the carpark looking inside different cars. Note the police station is less than fifty metres away.

Travel Tip: Don't leave anything of value in the car, or better still, don't park in the CBD.

Anzac Hill provides a great view of Alice Springs.

A swim in the hotel's pool was glorious to beat the heat of the day.

We had a look at the casino at the front of our hotel, but no, we didn't part with any of our money.

Australia Driving Trip. Day 8; Coober Pedy to Ayers Rock

Ayer’s Rock 🪨 (above) . There was no climbing it in my Flip Flops (Thongs). 😅

Louise couldn’t sleep at all night. She was convinced a snake fall down one of the air tubes. As usual, I slept like a baby. I'll have to check her into the day spa at Lassisters Hotel for a day of pampering to recover.

In New South Wales they have the Stop, Revive, Survive road signs; in South Australia they have Drowsy Drivers Die. Subtle.

Around 11am we crossed into the Northern Territory, where the speed limit is 130 kilometres an hour, on a two lane road.



Here we are at Kulgera, Northern Territory, an outpost of civilization (they accept my Shell Fuel Card) in the middle of miles of miles of nothing. Out here you don’t have service stations, they are called roadhouses, and they are all run by eccentric characters. It’s really like Mad Max out here.

Soon we were at the turnoff to the Lassisters Highway. It takes about two and half hours to reach Yulara, and the Ayers Rock Resort, which come quick enough for Louise as she is at the end of her tether, and has threatened to jump on a plane at Alice Springs and head to the Gold Coast. (I’m hiding the keys to the Gold Coast unit in case she gets any ideas). Really, I don’t know what she is complaining about; 3,500km, 4 States, in a week ……….



There are a number of different accommodation areas in the sprawling complex, however they are all owned by the one company. We are staying at the Desert Gardens Resort, where we can see ‘The Rock’ from our room.

We had a late lunch at the Red Rock Deli, one of the cafes in the resort, before heading to Ayers Rock. It costs twenty five dollars for a three day pass to enter the National Park.

My first impression - that’s a bloody big rock. My second impression - who are those lunatics climbing the thing.

One of the idiots climbing the rock (hang on, that’s me). Don’t worry I didn’t climb all the way up, due to my respect for Aboriginal cultural sensitivities. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

These plaques commemorate the people who have died climbing the rock.


We drove around Ayers Rock, and then visited the Aboriginal Cultural Centre.


Travel constantly surprises you. We went to the buffet restaurant, Bough House, at the Outback Pioneer Hotel, because it was only buffet at the complex. We didn’t expect much, but ended up pleasantly surprised with one of the most pleasurable dining experiences we have had in any of our travels. In fact, it is one of the best buffet’s, Louise and I have had. The service is fantastic, and the food was unbelievable; fresh seafood, roasts, cheese platter, and mouthwatering desserts. The cheese cake was simply amazing. If you ever come to Ayers Rock you simply have to try this buffet. The only problem is trying to fit it all in.

TRAVEL TIP: Bough House
Open daily for buffet breakfast and dinner
Outback Pioneer Hotel and Lodge
Voyages Ayers Rock Resort
$50 per person.

Tomorrow, we are driving to Alice Springs, where we will be staying at Lassisters Hotel and Casino for the next two nights. I'm so glad it's only four and a half hours away.