The Oodnadatta Track - Alice Springs to Winton

There is a lot to do in Alice Springs and I suppose once you see it, a nights stay is it and off you go, I found when you spend 5 days there the caravan park was full of comings and going on a daily basis, which surprised me in a way. We were at one of about 4 parks, so imagine the tourist traffic passing through. It was also getting colder and colder during the night.
So Day 18 we decided to go to mainly the  Standley Chasm, a bit more than an hours drive away. Did a quick stop at the local Markets being a Sunday and bought some Northern Territory honey, while John enjoyed a Chilli Kransky Hot Dog off a german stand, for breakfast, definitely not my cup of tea.

Sunday Markets

We then had a look at the smaller chasms Jessie and Emily canyons, which are very close to the town. All of these are on dry creek beds when the water has broken through a crack in the mountain and worn away over millennia. Both had some aboriginal art, although minor.

Love the red colour

For those who don't know Standley Chasm had a fire go through it last year. It contains a lot of very old and some rare, cycads and many beautiful gum trees. It was very sad  walking  for 20mins past all of this to get to the impressive cliffs. Most were growing back and some of the gums and there height burnt  out so were laying on the ground or in a pile partially cut up. The chasm I wasn't sure what to expect as I hadn't really seen any pictures and it was impressive.

Walkway took about 20 mins

Part of the burnt area

Cycads coming back

Standley Chasm

We had lunch there then decided to go on to Hermannsburg, a further hour away and the area where Albert Namijera grew up. It was the first Aboriginal Mission in the NT established in 1877 by the Lutheran church. There are 6 individual buildings, church, 3 homes, Maids quarters, Kitchen rations store. It had a thriving hide factory but fell apart in the 1960s I think, when the most experienced head person retired and left and no-one to take over which is a shame.

This building houses a cafe

One of many tanning pits. This area had many rooms all dedicated to tanning.

Shoe moulds for the leather made.

Interestingly the maids were taught embroidery. 

Shop part

Always a quilt.

Our last day in the Alice I caught up with the washing, we had morning tea at The Olive Pink Botanic gardens, which is very similar in plants to the Desert Gardens so we didn't tour it.

Somehow we fitted in going up Anzac Hill a wonderful memorial to different wars, and the view over the town.

 Next day we left for Tennant Creek, and stopped at the Devils Marbles on the way. Another famous rock formation.

At Tennet Creek we had a drive through spot, which is so easy no hooking up. A  County and Western singer by the name of Chris Callagan, played at the little outdoor area, so we bought some wine with the name of Grey Nomads,( of course) from the tiny bar attached,  and sat with about 20 people and an outdoor fire till sundown. I enjoyed it very much and a nice change.

Next day was an 8 hr. drive to Mount Isa. The night was much warmer here and I heard Alice Springs was experiencing -1C during the night brrrrrrrr. On the way though we pulled in at Aileron where there were some fascinating statues.

This one was way in the distance on a hill, but John has a good camera. 

Have I mentioned the speeds allowed in Northern Territory. We didn't pulling a caravan.

Mount Isa is a mining town, so the population is built around that, and we were now in Queensland.

Interesting Statue of horses.

There is an underground hospital here, which was set up after Darwin was bombed during WW2. The Isa being the next big town and their hospital was the tallest building at that stage. It was never used but now is a tourist attraction. The mining community of the time built it and also fixed it up after it went to ruin after many years of suburban infrastructure being built around it. The entrance cottage is full of antique medical equipment, beds, cots etc. but this Japanese  Invasion money I found very interesting.

One of two entrances it is L shape

Attached to this area is also a canvas house, the most common house in the earlier days. Canvas Roof and  canvas roll blinds.with metal windows and sides under them. They came in a kit, 2 or 3 bedrooms, this one had a bathroom attached, and still around in the 60's and 70's. This was the last one left and purchased by the trust. They made quite a difference from basic tent facilities, especially to families.

Canvas Roof but a metal one was built over top to protect it, also good in the heat. 

House was set up in the 30 - 40s era

Just outside of Mt. Isa is Mendouree Lake. It is the water supply but also used for water sports and swimming, no camping though, and is a very nice spot with peacocks roaming in the public area.

Drove to the top up a scary road, but the view was amazing.

A small water area we found when we drove around.

Next day another long drive to Longreach via a stop at Winton, famous for dinosaur bones found on a farm site. Since then many bones have been discovered. but which was a waste of time. The Dinosaur Fossil tours are very expensive and the stop is just a cafe. You are taken by bus to 3 different areas. We also didn't have 3 hrs. to spare, maybe another time.

I was hoping to finish our trip but was way way too long so will leave it at being eaten by a dinosour.

Next time Longreach to home.

Till Next Time