We have had an incredible outback adventure this last month. It started with some South Australian highlights, like the little picturesque village of Victor Harbour and the city of churches herself. Not to mention the quirky, slightly dishevelled, always original, Coober Pedy. Though, most exciting was the trek into the red centre. We have covered some serious kms these last few weeks in the search for some of the most iconic and breathtaking Australian landmarks. We've had a great time meeting some colourful people and experiencing some good old fashioned Aussie hospitality along the way.
 |
Posing under the giant lobster at Kingston.
This thing would have to be the biggest of "the big things" we've seen. |
 |
You can't visit Albert Lake in Meningie and not ride the bushranger's ostrich.
That's what the girls thought anyway. |
 |
Crossing the Murray: our first ferry experience with the van.
We thought for sure we were going to sink it! |
 |
| Daddy & the girls on Granite Island, near Victor Harbour. |
 |
| Ellysia gets friendly with a local Clydesdale. |
 |
| The iconic Victor Harbour horse-drawn ferry. |
 |
The view from the top.
If you listen closely you can probably hear our teeth chatter. |
 |
| Iconic Adelaide, pity I missed the top of the spire! |
 |
Adelaide turned on the weather for us.
A stroll along the Glenelg beach to watch the machinery, turned into a dash for the car. |
 |
| Amazing Port Adelaide architecture. |
 |
| Mummy and the girls couldn't resist an avo at the Plaster Palace. |
 |
| Captain Ellysia & crew at the South Australian Maritime Museum. |
 |
| Adelaide Ikea was an adventureland all of its own. |
 |
| Posing at the Wadlata Outback centre in Port Augusta. |
 |
Check it out mum, school and sport all in one!
Lily pedals an old-fashioned school of the air radio. |
 |
| Daddy & the girls on the Port Augusta pier (complete with a CAT truck in the background). |
 |
| A lovely moment I captured at Port Augusta. |
 |
| Have you ever wondered what carni natives do when they get restless? |
 |
| What passes for art in Coober Pedy. |
 |
| Our first brush with underground houses. |
 |
| The Umoona underground Opal mine and museum. |
 |
| The carnis try their hand at noodling (fossicking for opals). |
 |
| The stunning underground Serbian Orthodox church at Coober. |
 |
| Lily checks out life in Faye's underground house. |
 |
| The Coober Pedy golf course. |
 |
My brave space ranger!
This is an old prop from the Pitch Black movie filmed at Coober Pedy.
|
 |
| Dinner in the desert. |
 |
Two kids in two states.
(Ellysia is in NT and Lily is in SA) |
 |
| Kulgera: first roadhouse in the NT. |
 |
| A sneak-peak of The Rock from our campground. |
 |
| The girls meet some locals. |
 |
| Riding around majestic Uluru. |
 |
| Our brave climber makes it to the very top!! |
 |
| Daddy & Ellysia on the summit of Uluru. |
 |
| Going back down was much easier! |
 |
| Mummy & the girls at the bottom. |
 |
| The girls check out the Olgas. |
 |
| What an absolutely breathtaking sight The Rock is at sunset. |
 |
The top of Kings Canyon.
The climb was over 6km so the girls did really well. |
 |
| Being crazy (and giving mummy a heart attack)! |
 |
Up close & personal with some natives.
I hope that guy in the background is just asleep! |
 |
| Ellysia takes the Royal Flying Doctor plane in for a landing at Alice Springs. |
 |
There were so many places to explore along the MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs.
Here the girls look for rock wallabies at Simpsons Gap. |
 |
| Daddy loved the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice. |
 |
This might be the closet we get to a Devil's marble.
Posing at John Flynn's grave, the founder of the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service). |
 |
Territory Day in Alice Springs was a cultural experience.
Only in Australia would you get a pair of free thongs for a state celebration! |
 |
| Meeting new friends in Alice Springs. |
 |
| The beautiful family we met at Ayers Rock & again at Alice Springs. |
 |
| What passes for a park in the outback.... hmmm. |
 |
| The balloon festival was without comparison! |
