The first stop on Rediscovering Australia was the Dry Desert and Lake Hart, read on to find out more:
The “Dry Desert”:
When we first got the idea about venturing to the outback, and I mean driving through the desert we heard many warnings. Stories such as how tourist go missing without a trace, some wild tails about the aboriginal people (they aren’t scary) and all the other gruesome stuff including how tires melt to the ground from the unbearable heat. I guess that’s why we chickened out and never made it to the massive sandstone Uluru (Ayers Rock) located in the Red Center with the nearest town Alice Springs, 450km away. Oh well, maybe next time we will make it.
To find out more about the Indigenous people/ culture read Kate’s post ” Travel tips to discover Indigenous culture in Australia” from Not a Tourist.
National Highway A87, South Australia
I wish I knew this before traveling to the Australian Dry Desert!
Once we flew into Adelaide and began driving towards Port Augusta (our first destination) and further south, nothing was that scary, except the heat and let me tell you it’s hot. The hottest summer day in New York doesn’t come nearly as close to what a summer day feels like out in the desert. For example: compare it to baking cookies during the summer at about 350 degrees with out an air conditioner. Try to picture the moment you open the oven to check on the progress, the heat rushes out and stings your face a bit, well that’s how it feels in the desert, except here your whole body burns. I honestly don’t know how anything survives in this agonizing heat!
Walk the line on National Highway A87, South Australia
Now, this brings me to the next part of my story, scenes we didn’t make it to Uluru, we decided to head for Lake Heart, experience some of what this hot, dry-land has to offer. Located 218 km away from Port Augusta approximately a 2 hours drive, a natural phenomenon awaits. During the draught season (summer months), all the lakes in the outback dry up and turn into massive (stunning mirror like) puddles of salt. While driving to this location, you will come across many salt lakes with fantastic viewing points, stop at one of them for a photo.
On the way to Lake Hart
Lake Hart, South Australia Near the town of Pimba
Side Notes:
-Pimba is a tiny town that you will pass by on the way to Lake Hart, stop for gas, food and use the bathroom (trust me you don’t want to do the funny business outside).
-Bring a fly repellant, I don’t know if it’s the heat or something in the air, but they attack anything that moves. The flies try to zoom past you and go up your nose, gross! Very annoying and uncomfortable. Oh and don’t forget a water bottle 🙂
-As well please note that it’s illegal to go down to Lake Hart. If you do manage to go down without anyone noticing (not hard to do, I did by accident and only saw the warring sing on the way back), please keep in mind that you are at risk of paying the penalty or serving jail time.
Enjoying my view of the Desert and Lake Hart, South Australia
