Oodnadatta Track - Sunday 9th August
After a great night's sleep in the absolute quiet of this great campsite, we awoke at sunrise for a quick breakfast and pack up. We had to get a few kilometres behind us today so it was out on the Track at 8:53am! Bets were taken as to how many vehicles we would pass before Oodnadatta and Greg won with three. We stopped at Murdarinna Waterhole, which still had the original sleeper lined well, and dam that presumably held the pumped water.
Just before Oodnadatta is the Angle Pole memorial, commemorating the place where the Overland Telegraph line changed course slightly and became a landmark along the track.
We pulled into Oodnadatta for morning tea, observing the museum in the railway station, the health clinic, police station and then the infamous Pink Roadhouse.
Everything is pink! After chuckling at the pink canoes, pink bench seats, pink tablecloths etc we ordered coffee from the "special coffees" menu and some morning tea. On my way to the ladies, I noticed the pink volvo parked at the bowser!
The coffee was not that "special" so after a bit of pink shopping, we were back on the Track. The road surface this side of Oodnadatta was certainly not as good as the Marla side but we battled on. Almost sixty kilometres later, we crossed the mighty Neale River and turned right into the area under the Algebuckina rail bridge. We pulled up for lunch and then headed up onto the rail line to read about the bridge and then walk out one span. At 578 metres in length, made up of nineteen spans of 30.9 metres each (the last one (furthest from us) had fallen/been stolen before the bridge was listed on the National Heritage Register) it is an impressive feat of construction back in the 1890's in the extreme heat.
Everything is pink! After chuckling at the pink canoes, pink bench seats, pink tablecloths etc we ordered coffee from the "special coffees" menu and some morning tea. On my way to the ladies, I noticed the pink volvo parked at the bowser!
The coffee was not that "special" so after a bit of pink shopping, we were back on the Track. The road surface this side of Oodnadatta was certainly not as good as the Marla side but we battled on. Almost sixty kilometres later, we crossed the mighty Neale River and turned right into the area under the Algebuckina rail bridge. We pulled up for lunch and then headed up onto the rail line to read about the bridge and then walk out one span. At 578 metres in length, made up of nineteen spans of 30.9 metres each (the last one (furthest from us) had fallen/been stolen before the bridge was listed on the National Heritage Register) it is an impressive feat of construction back in the 1890's in the extreme heat.
After lunch, we really had to get cracking and unfortunately, the road deteriorated. There was lots of rocks, corrugations and dips, which certainly slowed down our rate of travel. Given we were aiming for William Creek which was still 140km away, our arrival time was getting further and further away. Several hours later, we had travelled 80 kilometres when we came upon the roadworks! Imagine our delight when we were advised to follow the grader! Ironically, it was very muddy (the roller probably should have gone before us) but once we got past them, the next 60km was practically a highway! It was with much relief that we pulled into William Creek just after 5pm.
William Creek lies within the boundaries of Anna Creek Station, the largest cattle station in the world (which is currently for sale!). Originally built as part of the Overland Telegraph, the town developed as a rail siding and today consists of the pub, campground, airstrip and a couple of houses. They hold an annual gymkhana and picnic race meeting for the local people.
We set up camp in the gravel of the campground (with power though for my coffee machine!) and headed off quickly to the pub. A few beers later and a pretty good meal, we had a good night. And it wasn't even too cold.
posted by Tracey @ 9:51 pm
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