DRIVING IN THE OUTBACK
This is a national pastime for Australians with their caravans and such, and I wanted to experience it as well.
I drove the 300 miles between Alice Springs and Uluru (Ayers Rock). It is hard to describe how empty central Australia is,(not as empty as Nullabor Plain was) but here are some facts and observations.
· My trip was 300 paved two lane miles each way. (Seattle to Spokane, or Ft. Wayne to Pittsburgh for example)
· There is one junction. Period. After 140 miles, you turn right and the go 165 miles. If you were to go straight, the next town is about 500 miles.
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| OK, I made the turn OK, and now I go west to Uluru. |
3 Today, returning the 300 miles I overtook 3 cars going my direction. In 300 miles. Maybe about 50 going the other way, but that is one every 6 miles or so.
· I saw 2 camels, 3 kangaroos, and one lizard. It is between 95 and 100 degrees.
· There are a few roadhouses (cafes, gas, and supplies) and you really need to stop to break the monotony aspect. They highly encourage it and they are right. There are also rest areas that have firewood waiting at the grill and signs encouraging overnight camping.
· You are strongly encouraged to NOT travel at night due to animals and “road trains.” There is a photo of a road train below. One tractor and FOUR trailers. I think 102 tires in all. They travel chiefly at night and in packs so it is best to not be out there with them. I do not think they stop for anything.
| 4 full trailers. No, once it gets going it is not going to stop easily. 26 axles, 102 tires. Wow. |
Some typical scenes from the outback are below.
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| The road. Taken from a sand dune. |
| A lonely tree |
| The fully equipped rest area, firewood ready, and a request to keep it all “tidy.” |
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| Dry lake bed and dunes across from the rest area. |
| There are over 1 million wild camels in Australia. The breed that has evolved in the wild is highly sought after in the middle East so Australia exports them back to where they came from. |
| Hi there. |
We want proof of the kangaroos!
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Nice camel! And I'd never even heard of a "road train". But like everyone else, I want proof of the 'roo!