Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Stzelecki Desert Trip - part 1. Home to Broken Hill.





Click on photos to enlarge.


This trip will be three journeys in one. 

The first will be with Matt & Myf, Andrew & Zane and Lynn & Me (we will be informed later that there is another traveler as well). The second will be after Lynn catches the Indian Pacific back from Broken Hill, as planned, leaving the two younger couples and myself to go onto the Flinders Rangers. After the Flinders,at Lyndhurst, Matt & Myff, Andrew & Zane will go onto the Simpson Desert and Birdsville leaving me to go solo on the Stzelecki Track to Innamincka. The two groups will then meet again at Mudgee after returning south via Cameron Corner, Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Wilcannia, Cobar, and Dubbo.
I will travel 4,575 km's (2,843 miles) while the other group will do just over 5,500 km's (3418 miles).

Day 1, Sunday 29th June. Home to Cobar, 688 km's (428 miles).



Snow on the mountains just beyond Lithgow.
(Lynn's photo)

Was pretty, but cold.
(Lynn's photo)

(Lynn's photo)

Looking like a Christmas card.
(Lynn's photo)

Morning tea at Narromine.
(Lynn's photo)

Andrew, who like the cold, grabs an extra jacket.
(Lynn's photo)

Open cut copper mine at Cobar.
Although M & M left  the Colo at a different time to A&Z,L&B, who left from home, we all arrived at Cobar within
5 minutes of each other.
(Lynn's photo)

Open cut copper mine at Cobar.
(Lynn's photo)

Open cut copper mine at Cobar.

Sunset at the mine.

Day 2, Monday 30th June. Cobar to Broken Hill, 471 km's (293 miles)



A thick fog/mist out here was quite unexpected. Driving through it was a bit eerie.
(Lynn's photo)

Morning tea was had just by the side of the road.


Looking more like a trip in the Snowy than just past Cobar.
(Lynn's photo)

Getting in some practise with the new binoculars.
(Lynn's photo)


Dangerous, everyone looking in the same direction.
(Lynn's photo)

Comparing loads.
(Lynn's photo)

Zane appears to be enjoying the cool conditions.
(Lynn's photo)

It was a while before we could get around the wide load (the back of a dump truck) heading for a mine somewhere.
(Lynn's photo)

One car place closer.
(Lynn's photo)

Old store-room at Wilcannia.

Topping up with fuel, Wilcannia.

The girls made some new friends at the garage.

The girls made some new friends at the garage.

Would you touch anything on the back of this vehicle?
(Lynn's photo)

Wilcannia was once known as the ‘Queen City of the West’,  and was one of the busiest inland ports and third largest port in Australia.

The old bridge at Wicannia  is still there..............

...........but the busy port is just a memory.

All that is left of the once 3rd busiest port in Australia.

Approaching Broken Hill.
(Lynn's photo)

Some of Broken Hill's older architecture.
The Astra.

Some of Broken Hill's older architecture.
Theatre Royal Hotel.


Some of Broken Hill's older architecture.
Town Hall and Post Office.

Some of Broken Hill's older architecture.
Kidman Building.

Some of Broken Hill's older architecture.
The Palace Hotel.
We had dinner here.


Some of Broken Hill's older architecture.
Court House and Police Station.


Somewhere for pigeons to rest.



You now have to pay for a tour ticket (run by the Mayor) to access the lookout and  Broken Earth Restaurant.

The old gold mining town of Silverton.
(Lynn's photo)

The  'Fearsome Four' have now arrived in town and they don't want any trouble (unless of course they start it).

Everyone seems to be at the pub.


Tourists.
(Lynn's photo)

Graffiti is rife in town.
(Lynn's photo)

This is one of the better ruins.

Seen better days.


Some locals come to check out my car.

Grid-locked bikes.
(Lynn's photo)

Was once a bigger busier place.
(Lynn's photo)



These have been known to eat small children.
(Lynn's photo)

Methodist Church, Silverton.

St Carthage Catholic Church , Silverton (abandoned).

Gardener Wanted  -  No Experience Required.
(Lynn's photo)

.......a little further back.
(Lynn's photo)

Inside the gallery.
(Lynn's photo)

Oh good, a dunny..........

.....hope they hurry up.

Andrew breaks the news that there is another De Belin on this trip that the others don't know about.

A very happy 'mother-to-be'  (the one with the beanie)

Congratulations are in order.


'Shut the bloody gate'.

Home hunting.

We could make this a feature wall.

And the gardens are all established.

Inside it's a little draughty, but  the outside dining is nice.
(Lynn's photo)

'Mad Max' Museum.
(Lynn's photo)

Might need some protection from the westerly sun.
(Lynn's photo)

We thought we had the Mundi Mundi Plains Lookout to ourselves.
(Lynn's photo)

But then, half the world turned up.
(Lynn's photo)

Discussing tomorrows plans.
(Lynn's photo)

Just in case we are never seen again.
They point out that my car looks small.........
(Lynn's photo)


.....but now who has the biggest car?

Silverton station.
(Lynn's photo)

We just make it to the Living Desert Sculptures for sunset.
(Lynn's photo)

Living Desert Sculptures.
(Lynn's photo)

Living Desert Sculptures

The happy parents-to-be.

Living Desert Sculptures.
(Lynn's photo)

Living Desert Sculptures.
(Lynn's photo)

Living Desert Sculptures.
(Lynn's photo)

Living Desert Sculptures.


Living Desert Sculptures silhouette.

How to keep your face warm.

Aglow at the Living Desert Sculptures.


Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral, Broken Hill.
(Lynn's photo)

End Part 1


Scroll to  bottom of page and click on 'Older Posts' to go to Part 2.


Cameras:  Canon PowerShot SX10 IS and Sony DSC-W690.