Day 11 Farina Ruins to William Creek 2328km

Day 11 Farina Ruins to William Creek 2328 kms
on “ The Explorers Way”

This morning a flock of corellas were our wakeup call and a lone Emu walked past looking for some early shade.  On the way out we saw a couple of magnificent wedge tail eagles only 5 meters from the road feasting on a poor dead lamb - nature can be both harsh and magnificent at the same time.

Morning tea was at Marree Hotel, another classic building with laced iron trimmed balconies where we took in the local history of Tom Kruz.  He was the legendary mailman who ran an old Bedford truck doing desert deliveries for the postal service.

Marree is a corner of the desert area.  A small township consisting 6 - 8 blocks.  Heading straight through is the Oodnadatta Track or right turn before town to the famous Birdsville track. Once upon a time this area was famed for Afghans running Camel trains - sadly, no camels to be seen today.

On the Oodnadatta today (the southern section) there are abandoned old stone homesteads and miles of stony desert ... until....

The Quirky sculpture park - Modern art in the desert, with some quite profound statements being made by an eccentric genius.

The Parks most well known sculpture is of two conjoined spitfire looking planes nosediving into the desert ... and ...

There were flies;  lots of flies ... lots!

A Lake Eyre stop showed a vast expanse of salt lake 12 meters below sea level.
Curdimaka railway siding loomed out of the desert mirage and disappeared as quickly into our trailing bull dust.  Then, onto the hot springs!  From here there were a few delightful oasis pools in small craters forming beautiful wetland microclimates - a series of freshwater springs bubbling from the artisan basin.  We stopped at the “Bubbler”

Coward springs brought the anticipation of a dip in a warm pool - the writings told us there are wooden platforms & we enjoyed a dip which was glorious. Another wetland Oasis complete with palm trees !

There are many subtle differences to be seen along the desert highway in both colour, textures and landscapes.

Prior to William Creek we crossed a flat plain dotted with salt lakes and an ever changing road surface, from rocky to sandy and back to rocky!

The only low scrubby trees in this area are in the sparse dried out creek beds. There seems to be the odd very low dried out bush the height of heather or just rocks and the odd bright orange sand dune. A very rough section of road indeed.

Lastly a quick beer at the William Creek hotel, dinner and stargazing!