Night 1: Lochiel Rest Area
Night 2: Peterborough (Road Train Assembly Area)
Night 3: Rawnsly Park Wilpena (Caravan Park)
Night 4: Arkaroola Village (Campsite)
Night 5: Arkaroola Village (Campsite)
Night 6: William Creek (Campsite)
Night 7: Coober Pedy (Underground Motel)

Night one was quite successful considering the only testing of the tent we had done was at Elwood Park the day we left. And all we did was get in to make sure the car didn't break and get out again. So I think there were definitely some nerves on the first night about how the tent and the car would cope. But so far we give it the thumbs up.

First two nights were freezing, probably about 5 degrees. We didn't really pack for the colder weather either. It's definitely getting warmer the further north we go though.
Wilpena pound was a great stop, we were very grateful for a shower and a kitchen. This was our first day of great weather, though it was quite windy and very dusty. We went on a very short hike to get a view of the Flinders Ranges, the walk was more challenging than we thought, but well worth it.
Didn't actually get to see the inside of Wilpena Pound because it was a full day hike and probably a bit too challenging for us this early in the trip. Seeing it from the outside was pretty amazing though. Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre of mountains in the heart of the Flinders Ranges. The highest peak is 1170m.

Next stop was Arkaroola Village, the drive was quite challenging and was our first taste of the real outback, there was just absolutely nothing as far as you can see.
It was unsealed roads for 260ks and we were a little concerned about blowing a tyre but we made it alive, because of Sean's great driving (and a smidge of luck).
Arkaroola comes from out of nowhere. It really is an amazing place. We set up camp at the base of a rock face and at that moment as the sun was setting we decided we would stay another night. It felt like we were finally on holidays. We didn't have anyone near us for about 150 metres on either side.
So we spent the next day truly relaxing, snoozing, reading, Sean was collecting fire wood for our fantastic fire. Woke up early the next day and packed up and went on a 2 hour hike along the Accacia Ridge Trail. We didn't realise until that moment how vast, barren and amazing our own country is. The walk was hard but it felt great, and the reward at the top was well worth it. Some of the most amazing views I have ever seen.

We left Arkaroola back along the rocky track and headed for the Oodnadatta track, which would eventually lead us to Coober Pedy. Last stop before the track was Marree and at this point it was late afternoon. Not much in Marree, really not much. And then we were on our way… along this famous outback track. It's quite scary driving along there thinking about how far away you are from… anything! But a pretty great feeling too. We stopped and had a looked at the south of Lake Eyre, which had no water unfortunately. Only the North has water at the moment, and apparently its only 15% full now.

Well we made it to William Creek. William Creek Hotel was probably one of the most surreal experiences in my life so far. We have just driven for 3 hours through nothing, seeing no one. And we arrive at this town, if you can even call it that. And there is nothing, I mean they run their power from a generator.
They have a campsite, a pub with rooms and an airfield. That's it.
The pub was amazing, I never would have thought that a can of Carlton would taste so great. We made some friends there and ate fresh prawns in the outback, and had an unforgettable night. One of those nights that we will be talking about for a long time to come.

Got up early and started the drive to Coober Pedy, which is where we are now. Staying in an underground hotel, which I must say to have a bed and a shower is the most amazing feeling, and these things that we usually have everyday become things to be so grateful for.

We did a tour of an old Opal Mine which was very interesting and makes you realise how hard the work was. We were talking to the man who did part of the tour, who is actually an Opal miner currently, and it was great to have a chat to him about the changes in mining over the last 30 years and learn a bit about the history of Coober Pedy.

Heading out early tomorrow morning, we have a big drive ahead of us to Uluru. Will keep you updated on our further adventures.

Bec and Sean