Tuesday morning after spending Monday on the Strzelecki Track we decided to get some clean clothes from our bags before we left Lyndhurst. I had forgotten how much dust is sucked into the back of a ute whilst on dirt tracks. Our clothes bags being stowed nearest the tailgate suffered the worst. Completely covered in a thick layer of dust, which had also got inside my bag, they had to be handled carefully to stop transferring the dust to ourselves. We did however manage to get a fairly clean change of clothes.
A thick layer of dust had entered the back of the ute
Whilst at the Lyndhurst Hotel we talked to some of the road train drivers who regularly drive this track. It appears that even with the rain we struck the track in good condition. One driver told us that a couple of months ago it took him 14 hours from Lyndhurst to the Moomba Gas Fields. For long sections he could only manage about five kilometres an hour because of the extreme corrugations.
We left Lyndhurst with todays destination being Burra a drive of around 450 kilometres. Around 30 kilometres south of Lyndhurst we pulled into the mining town of Leigh Creek and from the supermarket I purchased a dust pan and broom. When we stopped for a morning cuppa I pulled our clothing bags out and gave them a vigorous sweeping. Didn’t remove everything but at least we could now handle them. It will have to do until I can get the hose out once we get home.
Morning cuppa stop
We have noticed ever since we crossed into South Australia that wearing masks and checking in is strictly enforced when going into any type of establishment. No check in, no mask, no enter.
We made our way south through the stark but magnificent Flinders Ranges then entered the Gum Tree country as depicted by Hans Heysen. It was a good drive with little traffic until we got near Hawker and then it seemed caravans came from everywhere.
The Flinders Ranges
At Burra we stayed in a beautiful old cottage built in 1848. There are 33 of these cottages built around three sides of a square. Called Paxton Square Cottages, they were originally built by a mining company to house workers that had been living in dug-outs in the creek bank.
Paxton Cottages at Burra
Beautifully restored they have lounge, bedroom, kitchen with a modern bathroom having been added. Very comfortable and a great change from the usual motel room. Burra was a great little town with a heritage of mining and many houses from the 1800’s. We didn’t have the time to do it justice and would like to return when we have more time to look around.
The lounge in Paxton Cottages
Wednesday we made for Bordertown, another drive of around 450 kilometres. I set the GPS to get to Bordertown via the shortest not the fastest route. This way we made our way via secondary roads and saw some beautiful country including the Barossa and Eden Valleys.
No more desert – grain country now
It was hard to get accomodation at Bordertown. In fact I think we got the last room in the last motel. Not the best motel but we had no choice. The reason for the shortness of accomodation is the amount of Police and Army personel staying here to assist in SA/VIC border control. There are around six police cars at our motel tonight. We are here for two nights until we make a run for the boat on Friday.
The Spirit of Tasmania is in Covid lockdown. All facilities onboard have been closed, there is no food or drink available, so we have to take our own. Everyone must book cabin accomodation, the reclining chairs are closed, and all passengers must stay in their cabin for the duration of the trip. Sounds like transportation reincarnated!
The more worrying factor is our permission to enter Tasmania. We have come all this way but cannot apply for our permission to enter Tasmania until 24 hours before we are due to arrive. So Friday morning first thing I will apply for the permits and just hope we get them before we have to cross the SA/VIC border around 9am. Once we cross the border there is no going back. Unless we get on the boat we will be marooned in Victoria. Well we can’t even be marooned in Victoria as all I have is a transit permit for Victoria.
This covid travel certainly has its moments!
Family and Friends 