We had only been on the road for 10 mins tops when a group of kangaroos bounded out across the road in front of us. One wasn't so quick and didn't go with the first lot - he stopped looked at us and then decided to jump out in front of the car - not a very smart move - a vehicle that is moving at 100km an hour weighing approx 1 tonne and towing something else weighing about 1 tonne too, perhaps he should have paid more attention at Kangaroo school where they teach them to cross the road.....today was his (and our) lucky day he survived to find out if the grass really is greener on the other side.
Today was to be a big driving day so we had to pace ourselves. Dave drove first and did a great job of dodging the early morning wild life - he even managed to miss hitting a group of galahs that were headed straight for the car!! We stopped at Kimba(half way across Australia - where the Big Galah is) and managed to buy Jade a new pair of thongs - she had a major unrepairable blowout on her other ones we picked up a bargain pair for $7 - its amazing what you find in the outback!!!
I drove from Kimba to Port Augusta and then Dave had the fabulous job of driving us up and over Horrocks Pass. It was just before Horrocks that we picked our first signs to Sydney - so excited that we had to pose for a photo!!
Horrocks Pass winds up and over the Southern Flinders Ranges, the road is fairly steep and windy but the scenery is impressive. The mountains are so demanding looking and just what you would picture and imagine in a country and western movie.
Stopped in at Peterborough for lunch - had to stop here as we found a small patch of grass so we sat under the shade of the tree and enjoyed the grass and lunch before moving onto Orrorro. Here we made a slight detour and looked at the massive red gum tree, it is estimated to be over 500 years old. Its huge has a circumference of 10.89 metres.
Just whilst we're on trees, I was driving along today and Dave had been quiet for a while and then all of a sudden comments on how different the gum trees are on the road here in South Australia to how different they are on the Nullarbor. He is even able to tell me that the trees on the Nullarbor basically just have a branch that goes all the way up and then the canopy on the top vs the trees we are seeing today have lots of branches all with leaves and then the canopy on top - so funny the things you notice when you slow right down!!!
We continued along on our drive, stopping and changing drivers regularly and before too long we said goodbye to South Australia and were welcomed back into NSW...
We still have a way to drive yet but its funny just being back in NSW makes us feel so much closer to home, also makes us feel much less hard core so the kids have been worded up if anyone asks we're we are from they are to answer "Sydney, but we've been to Carnarvon!"
Driving into Broken Hill this afternoon we saw heaps of emus - some just walking along by the side of the road, walking along near the train track and some just out in the fields. Wild goats were also a dime a dozen there were hundreds of them - never even knew that goats were wild animals in Australia until this trip...
We picked up some brochures on what there is to do here and have been totally blown away by just how much there is to do and see. We will more than likely extend our stay by another day.
The night is hot - still 34 degrees at 9pm and a beautiful sunset - no longer over the water but the colours in the sky are still beautiful...
Just about ready for bed its been a massive day...
Kms today - 770
Kms total - 13495
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