14.03.2023 from Erldunda to Oodnadatta

14.03.2023 from Erldunda to Oodnadatta

Although we are up early, we are almost the last campers to leave the campground. The Stuart Highway is empty, we stop at Marla for coffee and ask about the road conditions, but they don't know anything specific. They tell us to call a phone number, but we don't have an Australian mobile number, which always surprises people here.

We drive, the track is open, as confirmed by the road authority. And it's good, with only a few small sections of washboard road and the creeks are dry and moderately filled with sand. We drive at a speed of 70 km/h, slowing down on the grids to be more cautious. But driving 210 km of gravel road is quite a challenge. The landscape is barren and flat, and we keep wondering what the cows eat here. In the afternoon, we arrive in Oodnadatta, where it's 38 degrees dry heat, there's a warm breeze, and the only place to be is the roadhouse.

Despite the heat, we take a short stroll through the small town, the museum is long closed, and some houses look very deserted. But there are well-maintained playgrounds and a public toilet, a hotel, and the pink-colored roadhouse. Today, we won't be cooking and will go out to eat, at least until 6 pm when it's cooler. Then we'll prepare for the next day.

The Birdsville Track is said to be open.