SA Marla, Coober Pedy, Woomera, Glendambo

27 July

Left Yulara at 10am and drove 500 km to Marla, where we set up camp, ate in the pub and chatted with a nice Swiss German couple.

Next day, David drove 234 km to Coober Pedy. The number and extent of working opal mines at Coober Pedy were surprising.  There were plenty of above ground homes but 60% of the 3500 population live underground where they don't need air-conditioning. Most of the tourist accommodation is underground.

There are 4 underground churches.  We chose the Serbian one, touted as being the most elaborate, and paid a 'voluntary gold coin donation'.  The others were free.

There were also several choices in mining tours/displays.  We went to this one from 1916 which was rediscovered in 1968.  It had over 30 mining displays plus an actual 1930s underground house. It was well worth the entry price.

 

We passed many salt lakes en route to Woomera. 

Woomera was very spic and span but has few people.  At the museum we bought 2 Cherry Ripes to help the seven school children have a camp in Tasmania.  The museum was interesting, celebrating our involvement in Anglo-American defence missiles and rocketry. David took no notes of what he photographed.

 Interesting exhibits related to Aboriginal life here

 Stayed overnight at Glendambo, having driven 500km today.  So windy that we had to move camp to avoid having the awning fall down over our door.  Nothing else to do so I managed to make a boiled fruit cake inside using the electric frypan and gas ring.

The wind died down overnight.