Revised Pit Lands Trip ...By Fang.

Two days before leaving on our trip to the we were told that the trip there has been cancelled. Between Paul, Barbara and myself a reworked trip was prepared. The reason for the cancellation was later expanded to the group.

Our group comprised of Cliff and Jean with grand children Geoffrey & Melony, Phill and Carol with young Danel & Natily, myself with Shaun & Hannah-Jane. From Saturday Paul, Barbara with Katrina & Chocko the beer drinking poodle.

Monday, 1 October - we headed north arriving at Spuds roadhouse early arvo. Good place for a drink and snack. We were camping just up the road at Lake Hart so we stayed at Spuds for a while.

A burnt out van was not far from where we set up camp. The trip was off to a good start. Phill & Carol had their tent up quick with no turmoil. Several trains went by later that day.The flies were quite bad, thank goodness for the humble fly net. The sky was clear with a full moon, a very nice first night. The children investigated the area on arrival and the following morning finding lots of little treasures.

We broke camp about 10am, tonight's camp Cooder Pedy. The road side stops between Glendambo & C.P. are well set up with under cover parking and rain water although not for drinking. We stayed at Riba’s caravan park. A few repairs were done that afternoon during a beer or two. Early evening came meals finished, when a group of cyclists arrived, one towing a smallish trailer with a young child in side. They had started their journey from Darwin and were intending to travel down the Oodnadata Track. We all did the caravan park mine tour that night.

Wednesday - in the morning we walked around some of Coober Pedy, had a good look around. The afternoon we went out to the Breakaways, looked at most of the sites before returning to one of them to set up the tables and chairs. Snacks prepared, a few drinks consumed as we talked and watched the sunset over the landscape. That was very nice way to spend an afternoon. We left Riba’s next morning heading towards William Creek. The road was in good condition. Many flowers dotted the dunes both sides of the road. Quite a bit of water was in the dams along the way. Arrived at William Creek for an early lunch, followed by a beer, across the road. After an hour or so we headed down the track pulling in at Beresford for a look around the old railhead. A short drive from there to Coward Springs, our next camp site.

The day was still early when a bus load of Vic high school students arrived. They were on their way to Ayers rock, camping at William Creek that night. A few of the lads went for a dip. After the hoards left our young ones took over the spa.

The temperature was in the mid 20s, a lovely arvo. A clear night again with the moon lighting up the camp site. The morning saw the kids back in the spa. We drove to the Mound Springs, the smallish bushes which dominated the area were in flower. We continued down the track stopping at Curdimurka ruins and Lake Eyre South. As soon as we returned to camp the kids were back in the spa. The facilities are very good with an efficient donkey providing us with hot water for showering.

Saturday - packed up of to Roxby. Paul, Barbara and Katrina were waiting for us at the BP outlet. After a feed we restocked supplies and headed towards Andamooka. A short detour to White Dam Opal Fields to visit a unusual outdoor pub that the locals use from time to time. Interesting architecture using local materials to build their pub. Our journey now was to drive around the top of Lake Torrens and arrive at Farina the following day. We made camp out in the scrub. The wind was cold that night.

Sunday - we crossed some 30 or so smallish sand dunes. We came across an area which had many Sturt Desert Peas, a great plant. A number of roos were surprised to see us, they soon bolted. Our senior traveller destroyed a tyre that day. The driving conditions changed regularly from sand to rocky tracks. We lunched on the northern part of Lake Torrens, many rabbit warrens were in the area.

We arrived at Farina about 4.30, not a soul in sight. We were to have the whole camp site to ourselves. Camp set up, time for a shower, a bit breezy in there if you got in the wrong cubicle. Monday - in the morning we were permitted to watch the shearers in action. We finished packing and took a look around Farinas Ruins. These ruins are being restored by the property owner. Our last camp site was to be in the Parachina Gorge. On the way we detoured to Beltana where Phill had another flat tyre, a 65mm tex screw of all things. Pulled into the Parachilna Hotel for a few refreshments before heading to the gorge. Many campers along the way, and water was flowing. We eventually found a deserted area. The children were again able to play in and around the waters’ edge.

During the whole trip all the children from the youngest to the oldest got on well with each other.

The trip was quite lay back adventure, really enjoyable.

Disclaimer : please note