Thurs, 14th June, 2018 Bush camp near Mt Polhill, south of Alice Springs, NT to Bush camp near NT/SA Border Rest Area, SA

I had the thermometer inside with us and it read 6 degrees at 7am. I put it outside then closed the door again. At 7.30 it was only 5.4 degrees so we stayed in bed.

Lovely clear sky when we got up at 8.30. It was still only 8 degrees but we had to get moving. The clothes were dry but very cold so will put them out again at lunch to get some warmth in them. Took my ‘camp’ photo.

Back on the road by 9.30am. Headed south then stopped to check out Stuarts Well Roadhouse. They have powered campsite and free unpowered ones.

A few info boards to read.

Interesting menu board.

Nearby is a big pond with an emu.

There is a camel farm next door. I am making notes of things to see when we return.

Continued on to the Cannonball Memorial. Steve remembers this terrible accident. When the road speed was unlimited they held a copy of the American Cannonball Run from Adelaide to Darwin. This section was a long straight and had a check point at this point. Unfortunately the Japanese drive came hurtling in and lost control with the car going sideways into the officials. Hence there were no more races.

Steve decided to see how our Nissan would do and got it up to 130k/h which is the speed limit now. They had reduced it back to 110 at one stage but there were more accidents so they put it back up to 130. More caravans coming our way – there have been so many.

We settled back to 110-115km/hr and she purred along. Lots of interesting shaped hills – it looks like we are back in WA, just no spinifex. Nice red sand ridges just before the Finke River where we stopped for a cuppa. Interesting information.

A memorial to a local.

I walked down into the dry river.

Passed this cyclist at Mt Breaden (553m). Spotted a big survey marker on top of it. We can’t imagine ever thinking that cycling would be a great way to see Australia.

Lovely scenic drive through the hills. Lots of trees on floodplains as we cross the dry Palmer River – Steve should check for gold.

Flat open red soil and low shrubs with low flat topped hills of Mt Sunday Range in the distance. The caravans just keep on coming – so many makes and models.

Stopped at Erlunda Roadhouse which is at the turnoff into Ayres Rock. I thought we should top up the fuel tank here in case the ones on the Oodnadatta Track are dearer. It is $2.01 per litre so imagine what the others will be. We only need 30 litres luckily. We have done 5,500 km since leaving our van on the 1^st of May. Still very cool outside. We can’t get over how many vans, motorhomes etc are here – absolute goldmine in the tourist season.

I checked out the Centre of Australia sculpture and information while Steve fuelled up.

On the other side was a lovely picnic shelter beside the Emu enclosure. Great murals and information. Learnt something – the female makes the boom noise while the male grunts. Now that sounds familiar.

Continued south, more flat open country with low shrubs and an occasional small hill.

Lots of rocky outcrops appearing as we near Kulgera. The last pub in NT. I wonder if there is a sign on the south side saying the first pub in NT.

We turned onto a dirt track – Goyder Kulgera Stock Route Road to check out some ‘mini Olgas’ marked on Wikicamps. We wanted a spot to hang out the washing in the sunshine and have some lunch. Drove off the track into the rocky hills and parked up. 1pm and it was still only 17 degrees but in the sun it was lovely.

Unfortunately it was also a good spot for flies. I ended up in the truck again to eat my lunch after killing the flies that came in with me. I don’t know how Steve can stand them. The washing dried and we headed back to the Pub.

Lots of interesting bits to read and look at.

Inside I found some history information.

The bar ceiling was covered in caps and bras. I didn’t have one on to whip off and hang up there – Steve could have given up his cap!!

Should have filled up here – only 199.9c/l and they have a chart showing the other fuel stations.

Someone’s holidays didn’t go well by the looks of these cars.

As we drove off we spotted a few other houses, van park and units and the Police Station.

Continued south past more rocky outcrops. Passed the turnoff to Mulga Giles Road (beginning of the Gunbarrel Highway) which we will go on to return to WA.

Stopped at the NT/SA Border for a cuppa. Still no Telstra phone reception. Did the pose photos.

Nice big bitumen area for day use and then more further back for vans etc. Across the road is a cleared area near the fence line where a few vans have pulled in so we went in there to set up for the night. We went to the south side so we are in South Australia now.

Our route for today.

Early hot shower as the coolness is desending on us quickly. 6.30pm 14.2 degrees. At least there is no wind. Played a few games of Skipbo by the fire with our ‘lovelies warmers’ keeping the chill off our backs.

9.15pm 7.8 degrees so into bed.