Our Ghan trip ended in Adelaide today. Great trip, the only real regret is that most travel is at night so limited viewing from the train. We slept well despite the roll and some bumps at times. A bit more roll last night as we travelled at speed to make up 2 hours delay. The military were apparently test firing rockets over the track so had closed the track over that time!
Coober Pedy
The dugouts are rather amazing. Usually there is a porch or verandah at the front which is built up against the hill and then the rest of the house is dug out behind that into the hill. The early homes were hand dug but now machines are generally used and there are interesting patterns made as a result on the walls and ceilings. In addition there are bands of coloured (usually reddish) streaks/stripes/patches exposed in the sandstone and the walls are beautiful. They are lacquered and there are no issues with moisture. The machine digging allows for generous ceiling height so rooms do feel spacious. Floors can be covered in any material so no dust issues either. The wet areas (bathroom, kitchen, laundry) of the house are generally at the front to save on plumbing costs etc. Power runs throughout neatly tucked away or can be run from above. Looking at a hillside you will only see the porch and a number of ventilation pipes covering the hill. One pile for each room.
Alice Springs. An Outback Town.
Of note, Uluru, is actually about 6 hours away so that will need to be another visit!
The Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist facility – since 1928 the RFDS has provided emergency meducal services to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. A life size hologram of John Flynn describes his vision, the history and development to now. Really enjoyed the displays including the real time map of planes in the air.
Katherine
Katherine was named by explorer John McDouall Stuart in the late 1800s and the gorge was renamed “Nitmiluk” meaning cicada place by the traditional owners, the Jawoyn Aboriginal people in 1989, when they were gained title to the land. The Nitmiluk National Park covers some 292,000 hectares. Rock art and dreaming stories bring the girge walls to life.
The Ghan
https://www.greatsouthernrail.com.au/trains/the-ghan
And here’s the map of our pending adventure
Litchfield National Park
Early start.
Litchfield National Park day trip today. At the end of a “dry” dry season looks rather parched although tops of trees are green. Sparse undergrowth green in places. Lovely specimen cyads though and very impressive in clumps together. Several patches showing signs of bushfire and a couple still smouldering. One smoke hazard warning and a dark plume. Smelt it in the air.
The park must look very different in the wet season. Lots of signs saying floodway but hard to imagine the scale of the area flooded when you look at the depth markers. One lovely spot allowed a view of a part of the Adelaide River still looking good and with plenty of water.
Jumping Crocodiles (not)
Headed south east from Darwin City today to explore the wildlife and wetlands around the Adelaide River. Loooong straight roads, red dirt, scruffy bush and then some bright green ferns, mango farms and no-one to be seen. Interesting place names – fave today was Humpty Doo. Very hazy yesterday and today and then we discovered there’s a bushfire down near Litchfield National Park.
Stopped in at the Windows on the Wetlands to view the region from on high. The fierce wind of the day was certainly felt on the outdoor platform- hang onto your hat stuff! The area is a world heritage listed landscape of significance to the Limilngan-Wilna people. The centre sits on one of 3 hills called Ludawei that represent the people’s Turtle Dreaming.
Aussie Adventures In the Northern Territory. DARWIN
Very early morning arrival so a quiet day planned. Woke to stunning views out over Lameroo Beach. It’s warm! Got to 34.
