Day 1:  Eltham to Renmark

After months of planning the day to head off on our trip has finally arrived!  We are all packed and ready to go.

Believe it or not we were actually were ready to leave on time……. But 10 minutes down the road we realised we had forgotten the hard drive full of movies that Be and Glen had given us to entertain the children.  Big decision time:  do we make the kids suffer and put up with the 20 dvd’s they packed or go back and get it?  Lucky for the kids Brad also forgot his sunglasses so we turned around and went back to get it.

Take 2:  we are off.  Long day of driving and ended up racing the sunset to set up at Plush’s Bend campsite in Renmark.  Great spot by the river.  We enjoyed a glass of red by the fire.

 Day 2:  Renmark to 63kms North of Port Augusta

Fortunately we were prepared for the quarantine station coming across the SA boarder yesterday and had not filled the fridge with fruit and veg.  Therefore today we needed to stock up and the shops in Renmark. 

Today was going to be another long travel day.  Along the way we pulled in at the giant Cole Miner for a sausage sizzle lunch.

Being that we were driving through the Clare Valley, of course we stopped in at Annie’s Lane for a tasting, and to stock up on Shiraz for the next few weeks.

Today’s travels saw a dramatic change in landscape from rolling green Barossa Valley hills to arid scrub.  After 2 long days of travel, the kids have been really good.  We are travelling long days at the start of our trip to ensure we can get as far north as possible to be able to spend more time enjoying far reach areas.

Again we raced the sunset to set up camp at a rest stop north of Port Augusta.

Day 3:  Port Augusta to Coober Pedy

This morning was really cold.  Brad woke us all up to watch the sunrise. I hope this won't become a habit!

First stop for today was in Woomera.  Brad gave the kids a history lesson about the defense influence in the area.  We looked at the war displayed but the kids favourite bit was the ice-cream LOL

Then we headed off to Coober Pedy.  We arrived at the Big 4 by about 3:00pm, and after setting up and finding out the 240v power didn't work. (bummer, no heater, I was really looking forward to having some heating)

Why do all of Brads photos have the Car and Van in them?.....

After set up we went and explored what the town had to offer (not much), we went to the underground opal museum and the big winch.  
We also picked up a selfie stick which should come in handy for the family portraits.
The girls all got a piece of opal jewellery and then headed to the pub for dinner to satisfy Brad's need for some beer and red meat!

Tomorrow we head for the Northern Territory.