Jaypatrol

The next stop was at the first homestead at Ana Station.

Ana Station is the largest station in the world. It covers 24,000 square kilometres.  There was a newborn pony for us to photograph whilst we were waiting for Derek. We couldn’t wait to get back on the bus before we were carried off by the flies. They were so bad here.

Our lunch stop was at William Creek. This is the first township. There is a hotel, a cafe & a camping ground. We had a quick snack at the cafe and then ventured outside to check out the surrounding area.

There is an historical display on the grounds between the cafe and the hotel. This was a lot of space junk, very interesting and amusing. There is also a display board telling Kidman Story.
We then strolled over to the hotel, as we had been told to check it out too. Wow! Is all I can say. A bit like the dugout of Crocodile Harry, there was so much memorabilia strewn about the walls. There is also a plaque stating that “the back room was built from the sleepers from  the Narrow Gauge Old Ghan Line by Harry Wehramuller of Robe, South Australia and Eric Garner of Robe, South Australia (formally of Wentworth New South Wales) in 1989.” The air conditioning was a sight to see. 

Back on the bus and the next stop was at an old aboriginal tool making site. We were fortunate to collect some remains of spearhead making that were at this site. The driver hadn’t been here before, so it was truly a unique area and a great find.

Continuing on, we stop off at Nilpena Station to drop off their mail. The folk that live here own a Blue Heeler dog, which makes me a little homesick and missing Comet. Unfortunately this poor older dog is very overweight, but he was very friendly and he greeted each of us individually.

We leave this homestead and continue our journey, noting the different terrain in this area.

We then stopped off at an old Ghan  Railway Algebuckina Bridge and Waterhole. We climbed up the hill for a better view. From here we could see in the distance. There were some pretty wild flowers here too. Unfortunately we didn’t see them till we were leaving, so didn’t get any photos as the bus was too quick to focus on them.

As we leave this area, again the terrain changes again. Nightfall is quickly descending on us and we need to get a move on. We still have another couple of homesteads to visit to drop off mail. So we get our skates on so that we can reach Oonadatta for tea and before it gets too dark for photo taking.

We finally arrive at Oonadatta and the Pink Roadhouse. 

This is a unique area. The roadhouse is painted pink and everything inside is pink too. There is a souvenir area with pink memoriabilia. I purchase a pink stubby holder as a memento of this trip. We have tea here and wander around the town.

Derek, our driver was telling us on the way into the township about the unique program they have in this township for the local aboriginals: The whole town got together, including the Elders to discuss how to overcome the alcohol and poverty of the locals. They came up with the idea that all the men must work for their dole monies, either in normal work or at least 30 hours a week in volunteer work. All the children must go to schoool and the women were to do home duties. No alcohol was allowed in the town either. This plan has been so successful, that last year they had their first 2 children graduate from high school and they are now in university. These people now have a better lifesyle and are very popular and the whole town is united in their endeavours. Derek told us that he really loved these people and has a lot of respect for them. At last there is a good story about the people in this area. “Their a good mob here” as Derek says.   

It is time to continue the last leg of the journey in the dark. We were fortunate to see kangaroos in the wild as they come out to feed after dusk. An American lady on the bus had never seen a kangaroo, so this was a real bonus.

Derek put on a CD of  Len Beadell, so that he could continue the journey concentrating on the road as there are no fences and there is always a lot of livestock and wildlife on the roads at night making it dangerous if one isn’ t alert. The CD was very amusing as he gave details of how he surveyed the outback and the township of Woomera. He also surveyed the areas for the outback roads and tracks. Another area he surveyed was the site for Australia’s first nuclear bomb testing.

Derek talked and joked most of the way. He was a real character, but he made the trip a time to remember.

We finally arrive back at the Caravan Park at 9.45pm. We were weary, dusty and ready for a good nights sleep. But we all enjoyed the experience immensely.