OUTBACK ROCKETS Australia Big Righthand Turn Day 47 WOOMERA
I needed to dispose of the unused fireworks now
highly illegal in Victoria.
-find a salt lake
Stuart Highway
The fully sealed highway runs the full length from Darwin on the coast in the Northern Territory via outback towns of Tennant Creek and Alice Springs and ending in the seaside town of Port Augusta in South Australia. Crossing the continent through the centre of Australia North to South.
Woomera
A short eight km drive off of the Stuart Highway from the roadside stop of Pimba is the town of Woomera. The town is in fact a ghost town in the Far North region of South Australia. It's appearance is so unlike the vast majority of towns in Australia. Infrastructure but few people. The town buildings and dwellings still look in reasonable condition. The dry climate helps in this regard. Population 7,000 in the 1960s to a few hundred now. Easy to drive the many paved streets as it’s like a modern ghost town. Approximately five hundred kilometres (277 mi) north of Adelaide.
"Woomera" also refers to the additional surrounds of the RAAF Woomera Range Complex. A flight testing range covering an area of 122,000 square kilometres (47,000 sq mi). The Woomera range is operated by the Royal Australian Air Force and the town infrastructure still appears to be mothballed as of 2024.
Woomera is a Department of Defence owned and operated facility. There are no restrictions for the general public to drive around the large township. There are no privately owned homes in the township. Woomera National Aerospace and Missile Park is interesting. Arrangement was made for accommodation in the old barracks from the Eldo Hotel after a cold drink. Eldo Hotel was the old mess hall. A few local workers were inside taking a quiet break. The only accommodation available is in the old barrack blocks. Corridors are very long and rather narrow. Not unusual for no overnight guests. Very quiet and eerie.
Roxby Downs
A sealed 78 km road connects to Roxby Downs. Established 1986. The small mining town has a supermarket and accommodation.
South Australia Outback
Drive To Adelaide
I was driving past the occasional small and a few large drying salt lakes scattered along the main Stuart Highway. Considered deposing the remainder of the fireworks I still carried in any roadside salt lake. Possession illegal after Northern Territory Day. A couple of small boxes remaining. Decided against it and safely deposed of soon after arrival in Victoria in the next few days.
Left the South Australian Outback behind on approach to Port Augusta. Population greater than 13,000 residents. A city known as the Gateway to the Outback if driving North. The beginning or end of the Stuart Highway depending on direction of travel. The Stuart Highway north from Port Augusta to Darwin is 2,700 km. Not to be confused with the Sturt Highway 959 km in length in NSW to SA. I was driving South and drove a further three hundred km onto Adelaide for overnight motel accommodation. The following day ended the road trip in Victoria.
Victoria End of Road Trip
I did not use any free camping sites in outback or regional area's. Although fairly common, most appeared not to have any people. At least during dawn to dusk. People tend to keep to themselves after dark in these locations.
I decided as a solo traveller I wanted to have an opportunity to chat with fellow traveller's at the end of most days. That's why I used paid accommodation locations with access to convenient onsite amenities.
Although this was a solo trip, I enjoyed meeting fellow travellers every day and seeing the incredible diverse country of Australia.
Traveldriven
ENTER CLICK/TAP
DRIVE
COOBER PEDY - WOOMERA - PORT AUGUSTA
BLAST OFF TO SPACE
FIREWORKS BOX
ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING
ROCKETS OF WOOMERA'S PAST
UNDERNEATH AN OUTBACK RAIL LINE
LAKE HART SALT
ACCESSIBLE FROM HIGHWAY
OUTBACK MESSAGE IN DRY SALT
