Coober Pedy to Erldunda (May 6-8)

Arrived in Coober Pedy mid afternoon, pulled into the Oasis Tourist Park and Coen's first comment was, 'this is a dirt carpark', which wasn't far from the truth, but with very nice amenities. There was not a skeric of green to be seen anywhere. Coober Pedy is really nothing more than dust, piles of dirt and old machinery - a moonscape of sorts but with so much history.

Mullock heaps

Tried our hand at noodling (fossicking for opal) with no luck and did a tour of the Umoona Mine.  The Mine was 10 metres down with very narrow and low tunnels.  Ash had to watch his head! The museum was also well worth the visit with a lot of history of the area, both indigenous and of course all about mining.

Headed off early Friday morning towards Alice Springs.  One advantage of travelling early is the lack of traffic, especially all the enormous caravans driven by grey nomads/silver gypsies.  Saw our first dingo, curled up in the sun beside the road and three wedge-tailed eagles feasting on a kangaroo carcass.  What a spectacular sight that was.

Also had our first tyre blowout or should I say shredding.  Ash had it all rectified in no time.

Staying at Erldunda Roadhouse tonight, then off to Alice Springs in the morning for supplies, a new tyre and a visit to the Information Centre before heading up the Tanami Track.