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
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.
