Marla to Coober Pedy

Early morning start today as we headed off down the highway to Cadney Roadhouse where we turned off onto the dirt Oodnadatta Road which took us through Copper Hills, Arckaringa Station and the Painted Desert.

It was pretty cold this morning, the wind had blown up overnight and was still blowy this morning. My driza-bone jacket was definitely required today.

The drive was an easy drive, but very scenic. We had phoned the Pink Roadhouse at Oodnadatta yesterday and they recommended that we take this route because of the scenery. They weren't wrong!



The Painted Desert was amazing, seeing the colours in the desert floor and hills was something you just don't expect to see, we couldn't take enough photos of it!



The Painted Desert is actually an ancient inland seabed and the hills are the result of rain, weather and erosion.

The Painted Desert

It was then a short drive up to visit Oodnadatta - a small town with a population of about 180 people. Not too much of anything there, except the well known 'Pink Roadhouse'. Umm, what to say about this place! You walk in and feel like you have stepped back in time to the 1950's. Some of the staff need a few lessons on customer service, but at least we can now say we've seen it.

The Pink Roadhouse, Oodnadatta

After leaving here we traveled down the Oodnadatta Track towards William Creek. This track follows the Old Ghan Railway line and you can see old ruins of cottages, bridges and sidings along the way. The rail line is kind of in tact in places and you also see remnants of the old Overland Telegraph line.

Algebuckina Bridge - Officially opened in January 1892.

Dutton Ruins

Finally arrived at William Creek, not much to see there, a pub and a caravan park and not much else! William Creek has a population of 12 or so people!

Being close to Lake Eyre, William Creek apparently does get busy when there is water in the lake as people come from everywhere to see that (doesn't happen very often!). Scenic flights over Lake Eyre also run out of William Creek.

After a big day of driving we arrived in Coober Pedy around 5pm and checked into our accomodation .... Wow! More to come on that later.

Camels on a road train at William Creek

Kylie messaged to say that she got home today and Gelly was so excited to see her, but Charli couldn't care less about her, she was just over the moon that Kylie's dog Gucci was home!!  Good to see she has her priorities straight!

Big thank you to John and Sharon for looking after the pups and our house (and frogs, birds and fish!) while Kylie was away.

Miss these beautiful little babies, can't wait to see them both when we get home xx