After the southern Flinders Ranges we also wanted to see the northern ones. By sunshine we drove to Aarkaroola and set up our tent next to the Aarkaroola Creek. The caretaker of the campsite warned us about possible thunderstorms and a rising water, so we moved up to the caravan park. Luckilythere was no flooding, but we made our first experiences with Australian thunderstorms. The car was rocking but we staid dry in the tent on top (even if we had to refix one of the bars). We trief to explore the surroundings the next day, but frequent showers stopped the enthusiasm. So we tried to refix the leaking gas stove together with the caretaker, but the spare parts were lacking. So we used the petrol stove still we reached the camping store at the coast.
 |
 |
When drove the only open road to Copley in order to escape the rain towards Port Augusta in the south on 4.11., we lost our front number plate when crossing a creek. We were stopped in Leigh Creek because the water level of the Windy Creek was still too high – so we had lunch and went shopping.
 |
Two hours later, we could do the crossing, but there were several flooded zones on rhe way to Hawker where we spent the night. Because the weather forecast changed and the tracks reopened, we decided finally to go north and so the Strezelecki-track. Fortunately, it was already sufficiently dry and there were only few muddy spots to negotiate, but we imagined how it was in the rain…Half way to New South Wales, we spent the night at “Montecollina Bore” (warm waterhole).
 |
 |
At Cameroon Corner, we tried the famous burger and went then into the Sturt National Park. We never saw that many kangaroos, even on the little bushwalk it was bouncing everywhere between the trees.
 |
 |
The sidetrip to the Currawinya National Park was not possible due to flooding and closure if the road, we had to spend the night in Hungerford. On the 09.11., we drove to Lighening Ridge which is famous for opal mining and black opals. We visited a mine which did not get famous because of the opal findings but because of the sculpture-making skills of the owner ans the carvings (animals, famous persons,…)he made in the hard sandstone layer above the opal-containing clay layer.
 |
 |
|
 |
A good place to relax for the mine workers (and for us) were the Artesian Pools. We continued our trip to Goondiwindi (beautiful Vampground in a Nature Reserve directly at the river) into the Girraween National Park. We tried to climb „the pyramid” but we had to turn back Because the Rocks before the summit were that steep that we would have needed climbing harnesses and a rope for the children.
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
Of this hike. We mainly remember the noisy crickets. The second hike in that day on „Bald Rock“ in the correspondant park was sucessful thank to the climbing equipment and our little capricorns were even admired by a ranger.
On the 14.11., we arrived in the “Prawn capital” Ballina on the beautiful Headlands Holiday Park an (Pool, Spa, playgrounds, camp kitchen with oven) – just in time to celebrate Fionas 4. birthday with cake and presents.
 |
