After leaving the West MacDonnells we spent a couple of days back in Alice and then headed south again, overnight at Marla. Marla is a roadhouse come motel come caravan park, nice facilities although a bit worn by the impact of bore water. Next morning we pushed on and had coffee in Cooper Pedy before heading out to the William Creek Hotel. At the William Creek Hotel was a tourist bus that appeared not have been troubled by the track. The road just south of William Creek is badly corrugated but otherwise it is in good shape. That night we camped at Coward Springs.
Coward Springs is very isolated not far from Lake Eyre. The owners have created facilities utilising much of the items left from the railway that once ran through this area. For example the door handles are made from insulators once used on the telegraph line. Some of the few railway buildings are being authentically restored. The firewood provided at a small cost was welcome as the evenings are getting chilly this far south. The springs at the campground are accessed through a small pool surrounding by duck boards. This is a great choice for an overnight, or 2, stop.
Down the track a couple of km’s is a turnoff to the mounded springs which are mounds about 10m high with a gentle climb to the top where you are surprised to find a pond of hot water disturbed at regular intervals by bubbles of gas emerging. These really are worth a visit.
Continuing on toward Maree we stopped for lunch at a lookout at the southern end of Lake Eyre hence the panoramic shot at the top of this blog. What a vast area. From here to Maree we were constantly passing the Variety Bash convoy of unusual vehicles on their way north.
Camped last night at the old schoolhouse campground at Parachilna. But had a very strong feeling it was time to be home.
