Glendambo NT

Another early start and another long day. Called into Coober Pedy only long enough to refuel the car and ourselves, no interest whatever in ‘looking around’, we assume nothing has changed to this feral park in the last two years. The one thing we did notice however, was that on the last 20 km north of CP the featureless flat desert had been turned into a grotesque moonscape as rampant opal mining ravages the countryside. It is truly bizarre landscape with thousands of conical shaped mounds of mostly white dirts obliterating everything in their path. In the distance you can still see the prehistoric remains of the mountain ranges overseeing the destruction. Stuart would have wept from the top of his namesake range over on the eastern horizon.

We stayed in Glendambo last time, but could remember nothing much past the hotel out the front. As soon as you turn in however, the expanse of hot, dirty gravel and dilapidated building brings it all rushing back. We had paid for a powered site of which there are about 20 in two rough rows up the middle, interspersed with some stunted gums and a smattering of desert ‘grass’. It’s a pretty big place though, with heaps of room for unpowered, campers, bus tours, itinerants etc.

To our total surprise, as it was only 1pm, the place at first glance appeared to be packed! We drove in and stalked about, it appeared to be a big crowd of people all fussing about over vintage (1910-20 type vintage) motorbikes and cars. It transpires that they were part of the 40 odd entrants in an Adelaide to Darwin bash, this being the designated stop for the night. Obligatory photos were taken and chatting to the enthusiasts was enjoyed, they sure know how to enjoy themselves: pull the engine out of the Simplex, decoke the Douglas, repair the flat tyres.

Picaresque Rest Stop, north of Marla SA

Moonscape. Coober Pedy SA

more moonscape. Coober Pedy SA

Caravan park. Glendambo SA

Vintage bikes.  Glendambo SA

Vintage Overland doing the overland track. Glendambo SA