The black-top ends, the Oodnadatta Track starts and the two trusty Trakka Jabirus are ready for the next adventure.

And the 4 erstwhile explorers are also ready to tackle the wilds!

Yep, read it, believe it! We’ll behave.

Random sculptures made of junk in the paddocks at Alberrie. I think this is meant to be a lunar landing module, or a Mars explorer.

Random sculptures, Alberrie. A dog?

Man with child (and Denise). How do I know it’s a man?

Alberrie sculptures.

Alberrie sculptures.

Alberrie sculptures.

Repurposing an old windmill. Alberrie sculptures.

Suitable recognition for our Priscilla.

Lake Eyre from the roadside lookout.

Yay! We’re at the lowest point in Australia – Lake Eyre, 10 metres below sea level.

The seagulls are all there for the fish. The fish are jumping up onto the wet cement and trying to cross the culvert under the road.

Thousands of fish!

This one made it to the other side of the road, with a little help from a friend.

The Stuart Creek. This is where all the little fish are trying to get to.

Curdimurka – wide gauge line closest, narrow gauge on the other side.

Curdimurka railway siding.

Another of the cast iron water tanks commonly seen at sidings. The structure beside it is a water softener – apparently the bore water builds up a residue in the steam engines.

They were a patriotic lot at Curdimurka. If you look closely you’ll see it’s the Australian coat of arms.

The twins in the parking area at Mound Springs.

Mound Springs. This one is The Bubbler; so difficult to photograph unfortunately. All those white things are bubbles and it’s swirling up from the centre circle.

Mound Springs. This one is Blanche Cup. Pretty, still, reflective.

The old Ghan line crossing a creek.

Coward Springs turnoff.

Lovely shady campsite at Coward Springs. The date palms are an introduced species, by the Afghans apparently. The local homesteaders didn’t mind them and planted them up too, enjoying the dates.

Ken and Wendy, and Krakka Trakka, at rest. Coward Springs campsite.

Even the railway lines were put to use at Coward Springs.

Nothing was wasted at Coward Springs. This is the ablutions block, constructed of railway sleepers.

Not a big thermal pool … but nonetheless a very pleasant dip after a dusty drive.

The restored Engine Driver’s residence is now the museum. Coward Springs.

The museum at Coward Springs is now housed in the restored Engine Driver’s residence. It’s an excellent museum, worthy of a couple of hours of time.

Plaque commemorating the Elders Scientific Expedition.

Edwards Creek railway crossing.

There’s a geocache under here somewhere – so he reckons. Edwards Creek rail crossing.

The boys have found the geocache, under Wendy’s watchful eye.

The rail bridge over the Algebuckina Creek.

The Algebuckina rail bridge is the longest bridge in South Australia.

Afternoon light on the Algebuckina bridge with the Trakka Twins.

Priscilla camped beside Algebuckina Creek, from the rail bridge.

Sunset at Algebuckina rail bridge

Sunrise at Algebuckina rail bridge and campsite.

Dawn at our campsite under the Algebuckina rail bridge.

Another railway siding now in ruins. Someone lived here, raised their family and were part of a community now long gone.

There are many such ruins around here – some were railway sidings, others homesteads.

From dust, to dust.

The welcome sign into Oodnadatta.

And yet ANOTHER point of geographical, or climatic, significance in Australia. Oodnadatta is the hottest and driest town in Australia.

The report came in that the Oodnaburgers were excellent! Ken, Wendy and Steve.

The Trakka Jabirus at the Pink Roadhouse Oodnadatta.

Pretty good here. The grader has been through.

Hard to see corrugations, but they are there.

Gibber plain through which the road is built.

Choose your path and hope those gibbers under your tyres aren’t too sharp.