Oodnadatta Track

Oodnadatta Track

The Oodnadatta Track begins in a place called Marree in SA. On the way there we watch the worlds longest train go past from a great pub in Parachilina. Total population 8! (not the pub) The train was over 100 carriages long with 3 engines. In Marree, we stayed overnight in a caravan park the actually had grass. This town used to be one of the main stops for the Old Ghan railway. A man called Sydney Kidman owned the biggest cattle station in the world and used Marree to load his cattle. The cattle station is still the biggest although parts have been sold or given for conservation. Funnily enough the post man was named Tom Kruse.
The Oodnadatta Track now follows the old Ghan railway and has much history. This includes the dog fence built to keep the dingos from moving south, the remains of the overland telegraph and many historical sites used during the railways era.

Oodnadatta Tracks version of Henge

Mound Springs

On a more environment note, we stopped at Lake Eyre and (nearly) dipped our feet in the water. This was amazing to see. Lake Eyre has now been full for 2 years although it is expected to be dry again by soon as the lake is very shallow and has a huge amount a evaporation every day. The whole track had only just opened and patches of water could still be seen along the way. Declan was determined to collect some salt (and did).  Also along the way is the Mound Springs.  These are natural springs pushing throught the ground forming little hills. They are abundent with plants and are strange to see in the otherwise flat landscape.  We stopped at Curtain Springs and had a welcomed and refreshing spa. This was a mini oasis in the desert, with shade!
The actual track was surprising good having been graded not long ago. The whole area seems much greener than it should be and it does not feel isolated as it is. We would pass someone coming the other way every 15 minutes or so and often meet the same people at stops along the way.

Tom and Declan at Lake Eyre

We decided to cut onto the main road from Williams Creek to Coober Pedy as the northern end of the track is still quite wet. We may venture home via that way instead. The weather has been perfect., even the nights only dropping to a lovely 15 degrees. The whole area has been a fantastic experience, even if we have had a slightly skewed version, as it is so green and full of life.