After leaving Wilmington where we spent Easter with our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren we headed north to Hawker. The weather was perfect for travelling, sunshine but not too hot and cool nights. We fuelled up at Hawker then decided to go on to Hookina Creek to stay the night there in the lovely creek setting but a reasonable distance off the road. The bush flies were so bad here that we just about went crazy trying to keep them out of our eyes, so we decided it was best to eat inside tonight. I hope they're not like this further north. Nothing seems to deter them and they stick to your back and come inside and fly spray does nothing to them, lucky we have a good old fashioned fly swat, we just need to be a good shot!
 |
| Sunset at Hookina |
 |
| Hookina Creek bush camp |
Day 2 - April 22
We left our overnight stop at Hookina Creek and headed north and stopped to look at the ruins at Cottage Creek railway siding where there used to be the fettlers cottages, but not a lot left now but worth looking at and took a few photos.
 |
| Cottage Creek ruins |
We drove on to Beltana for fuel but discovered that the Roadhouse there has now closed and so we continued on to Leigh Creek. We drove around here and noted that they had a good supermarket, an Info Centre and Post Office and fuel. We had plenty of time so decided to go on to Copley which is only another 5 km further on. We had heard of the bakery there and found it had now moved in with the Caravan Park Office and as we were going to stay overnight decided to book in at the caravan park. There is not much else in Copley but the caravan park had some shade, a good amenities block and the owners were very welcoming and helpful. After getting ourselves set up and having some lunch we decided to head back to Leigh Creek for some fuel $1.79 Cpl and then drove out to Aroona Dam about 10 km. We had been camping at Aroona Dam about 40 years ago so we were keen to see what it was like now. There is no camping now at Aroona Dam but they have improved the area there and have bbq and toilet facilities for day visitors. We were there late in the afternoon and the sun on the hills, and the blue of the water was beautiful so we got some more photos.
 |
| Desert Rose |
 |
| Aroona Dam |
 |
| Aroona Dam |
Next morning we decided to drive to Lyndhurst, but again there is not much in this town so we drove on a little further and had a look at the Ochre Cliffs. These were amazing and the colours were beautiful.
 |
| Lyndhurst - interesting flag |
 |
| Ochre Cliffs |
 |
| Ochre Cliffs |
 |
| Ruins of Transcontinental Hotel, Farina |
 |
| Farina |
 |
| Farina ruins |
 |
| The Bakery, Farina |
 |
| Camping area, Farina |
 |
| Camping area, Farina |
About a km down the track is the old cemetery which again was interesting and helps you to understand the difficulties in those days.
We came back through the camping area and noticed there was also a small war memorial.
 |
| War Memorial, Farina |
We parked under the shade of the trees and had our lunch as there were tables and benches and for the campers there were 44 gallon drum barbeques - what more could you want.
 |
| Farina camping area |
 |
| Water tank, Farina |
 |
| Farina |
We drove from the Farina ruins to the Railyard and again were surprised at the work done here by the volunteers. After having a good look around here we decided to go on further to Marree about 55 km so not too far and about 25 km of dirt road but as we weren't towing the van it wasn't a problem and the road was in reasonably good condition.
Marree is another small outback town and the Lake Eyre Yacht Club had us intrigued so we went in to have a look and were given the history of the club and had a look at the photo display which was amazing to see. From there we went to the general store as it was time for an ice cream. We drove around the town, saw Tom Kruse's truck. WW2 Blitz on display as well as some old railway carriages.
We drove back to Copley and on the way were lucky to see some wedge tailed eagles and I managed to get a couple of photos so that was so good as I usually am a bit slow.
 |
| Marree |
 |
| Marree |
 |
| The Oodnadatta track, Marree |
 |
| Lake Eyre Yacht Club, Marree |
 |
| Wedge tailed eagle |
Day 4 - April 24
We left the Copley Caravan Park and headed south through the little town of Craddock where stopped for a drink at the Craddock Hotel and a bite to eat there. We loved the little pub, full of history, and updated a bit, but still had character and our potato wedges were just what we wanted and such a large bowl of them too. We thought we would stay the night at Walloway but we had a look around the camping area and it looked lovely but we had some trouble getting the van into position so that it would be level enough and eventually decided to head into Orrorroo and onto the roadside stop about 5 km out of town. When we arrived there were no other campers but by the time we had got our drinks and were sitting outside, a few other vans arrived. We had a chat to another couple in a motorhome and discovered they worked in Murray Bridge for the bus company that takes our grandchildren to school there. What a small world! While talking to this friendly couple we forgot to check our camp oven dinner and we almost burnt the irish stew but luckily we caught it just in time, you just can't take your eyes off the choofer.
Day 5- April 25
Next morning we left Orrorroo camp site and continued to Jamestown, but as it was Anzac Day there was not much open except the hotels, but we had a wander around the town and would like to come back again as it is a really nice little town and would be interesting to see a bit more of it. We continued on and decided to stay the night at Burra Creek Gorge where we have stayed before. It is a lovely area and has lots of lovely gum trees, and this time we noticed that there is a lot of revegetation being undertaken and some of the areas are restricted to walkers only. We decided to go into the first area on the left hand side which is above the creek and there weren't so many campers in this area. The birds here in the park are beautiful, mainly galahs which are always interesting to watch & here they are much brighter than some other areas. We went for a couple of walks down in the dry creek bed and up towards the main road to Robertstown. There were signs in the park for no camp fires but we noticed a few people had ignored them.
Day 6 - April 26
We decided to spend another day here in Burra Creek Gorge as it was so peaceful and the weather was good. We didn't do too much, just a few short walks in between sitting, reading, eating and drinking.
Day 7 - April 27
We left Burra Creek and decided to head to Cadell on the River Murray. We had a look at the camping area at Kings River Road and it looked to be pretty good with just another caravan there. We found a nice flat site without too many large trees to worry about and set ourselves up. Our neighbours arrived back and as Ron had got the genie going he decided to do the right thing and tell them it would only be going for an hour or so just to charge our batteries, they were pleased that he said something but really they couldn't hear it from their site. In the evening their were floodlights on the trees on the river bank, it was quite spectacular so I managed a couple of photos.
Day 8 - April 28
We left Cadell after a nice quiet night by the river and headed home arriving about lunch time. The weather had been perfect while we were away but on arriving home it started to rain so I guess we were lucky although I have so much washing to do but that's what a clothes dryer is for!
