Trundle to Port Augusta

The Big Wet

28th April 
Trundle to Port Augusta

Odometer 13358 Temp. 8-23

Today we had an early start as we knew it was going to be a long day of driving. We left Mary & Ellis’s after breakfast hitting the dirt at 7am, with Ellis’s warning to watch out for wildlife. We headed towards Condobolin on the first of many dirt roads. Seeing our first ‘live’ wildlife after only 4 minutes when a small roo bounded across in front of us. A mere 14 minutes later Mark spotted a fox crossing the road. We were surprised by the large amount of flooding still present around Condobolin including seeing pelicans in flooded paddocks and roads half washed away.

We continued via Lake Cargelligo to Hay. Over a period of hours we spotted no less than 19 emus.

At 9.30 (approximately 145kms from Hay) I glanced at the car gps which Mark had programmed for Port Augusta and noticed our anticipated arrival time was 3.50, 6hrs to drive 1102kms! 

We stopped to refuel at the BP at Hay ($1.57.9). We should have driven through town to the Shell which was 4 cents a litre cheaper. We stopped at the Caltex Roadhouse Balranald for an early lunch (1220). I had a very nice salad sandwich, whilst Mark enjoyed a steak sandwich. Our first change of drivers and we were back on the road again by 1.10. Approximately 70kms south of Morgan on the Burra-Renmark Road we spotted an Echidna crossing the road. Unlike the roo and the fox the Echidna hung round long enough for us to get some photos.

 By 5pm Mark was ready to take over the driving again. On our way into Port Augusta we spotted a rabbit and two more foxes. We limped into Port Augusta at 8pm stopping at the drive through at Hungry Jacks for dinner. 

Mileage 1237kms 

Total Mileage 1651kms