Day 8 31/3/2011 Port Augusta to Nowhere - bon Bon Reserve

Day 8 – 31/3/2011 Port Augusta to Nowhere - Bon Bon Reserve

Sunrise, it can make the least glamorous town look awesome.  I headed out for my morning stroll around Port Augusta, a town that I would not describe as ugly, rather as plain.  But bathed in the early glow of sunrise it was truly pretty, I headed across Spencer Gulf admiring the way the rising sun reflected off the water and then headed down the main shopping precinct – the waterfront, it was a great walk and one I enjoyed even more when I spotted a pod of dolphins just cruising up the gulf.  I really enjoyed my walk but it became very apparent as I walked past water front town houses and then back through suburbia, that those that live in Port Augusta take home security very seriously with most houses having roller shutters or window screens and then a large number displaying surveillance camera stickers!!  One lovely town house complex advertised that there was a security guard on the premises 24/7 – serious about security!!  I found all the people I passed on my walk friendly and happy to smile and say hello.  I even got to talk to a local mum who had where children out on the street chasing the neighbours chook!!  Trying to get it back for the neighbour!

We headed off early as we planned to go to Woomera and then on the Roxby Downs, hoping to pick up a tour of the Olympic Dam – the BHP Billiton mine.  So as we headed out of town where there was still mobile coverage I called the tourist information centre only to be told that the mine tours for tomorrow were all booked out but they could fit us in on Monday!!  The idea of four days in Roxby Downs did not fill us with glee so we decided not to visit Roxby Downs – we would save this adventure for the next trip.

The trip to Woomera was short and we found a fabulous park to eat in.  Woomera is a defence town and it looks like it, plain brown housing and little else, it was dry and dusty.  The information centre housed the Woomera Heritage Centre, a fabulous museum that had artefacts, missiles and rockets on display.  This was an interactive museum and the children had a great time pretending to be rocket scientists!! and watching rockets blow things up on the video’s that played.  Once we finished with the Heritage Centre we headed to the outdoors to the Woomera Missile Park.  You cannot comprehend the disappointment on Callum’s face when he read the many signs that clearly stated the park was under constant video surveillance AND he could not climb on all the displays.  He did though manage to get on a few before he was quickly ordered off by his parents. 

We left Woomera and had decided to stay for the night at the Pimba Roadhouse but as it was only 3pm and the kids travelling so well we thought what the heck lets head to Coober Pedy and stop somewhere on the road, again I consulted the trusty Camps 6 and picked the Bon Bon Reserve – 154km’s south of Coober Pedy.  This spot was ½ way between Coober Pedy and Port Augusta.  We were treated on the drive to some magnificent salt lakes; some even had water still in them!! 

Neither Pete nor I can come to terms with just how green and lush the country side was around us as we drove.  We saw only a few dead cows by the road and a couple of mobs of emus!! Not a kangaroo for miles to be seen.  In some spots there was even water lying beside the road.  Not knowing what to expect out here we were still surprised by the green lush landscape.

We found our rest stop before dinner, let the children out of the car and onto their bikes to get rid of excess energy for the night, we met the neighbours, there are three other caravans pulled in for the night – all grey nomads – and chatted with them about their travel plans. We learnt from one couple who were here this time last year that this area was all brown vegetation and red dust, we sure are blessed by what we are seeing!!

After dinner with the kids in bed, Pete and I took time just to sit in the car park and enjoy the silence, sunset and stars.  We are still struggling with the reality of where we are and what we are doing, sometimes it just doesn’t feel real!!  It was hard to believe that we were camped on the side of a major highway, that was quiet, and in the middle of Australia watching the sunset!! It’s a hard life and we are so glad we are doing it.  Off to Coober Pedy tomorrow – Zac hoping to find his fortune noodling for Opals.