Adelaide is approximately 3 200 km away from Darwin and can be
reached by train, car or even a bicycle!
The journey started in Adelaide, sitting on a bench in the
middle of Rundle Mall on a typical Tuesday morning. Adelaide is definitely in my top 3 favourite cities in
Australia. I always feel there's a special atmosphere in Adelaide, unique to
that place and time. Whether it's the buskers in Rundle Mall, coffee shops
on every corner of the city or the beautiful architecture encompassed by the
4 main terraces of the CBD, Adelaide is a miniature and self reliable city
with a lot of character and charisma.
After boarding the train in Adelaide earlier in the day, our
first stop was at Port Pirie, followed by Port
Augusta where we spent about half an hour. Unfortunately this stop along
with many others was too short to allow a little sightseeing around town.
When we set off from Port Augusta, the sun began to sink and we readied
ourselves for sleep.
The following morning we awoke to this
astonishing view: red barren land, dehydrated and scorched by the merciless
sun. It is hard to imagine that life can exist in this arid land, yet alone
that people have survived here for many thousands of years (albeit Australia
hasn't always been so barren). Conditions in the red centre are harsh and
unforgiving, and anyone wishing to venture into this area should ensure
they're well informed and prepared.
Iron Man monument in outback South Australia signifying
1,000,000 sleepers from Adelaide.
After crossing the NT border, and stopping off at Kulgera,
Finke river crossing appeared.
Outback NT. I would imagine this is the image most people
have of Australia – red soil with scattered shrub stretching out to the
oblivion and aching in the soaring temperatures under the blue dome. As
relentless as it may be, the sheer vastness and immensurability alone make
this land incredibly majestic.
On the second day we arrived at Alice Springs. This town in
the heart of Australia feels like a safe haven in the middle of nowhere.
Apart from being an important cultural site, it is also a monument to man's
relentless efforts to defy nature and inhabit the harshest of Earthly
environments.
Unfortunately a short stroll to the town centre (Todd Mall
pictured) and a light lunch was all the time we had before having to return
to the train station.
It can be organised, however, to hop off the train at Alice, spend a few
days in town and catch the next train up to Darwin (or back to Adelaide).
More of Alice Springs.
As we continued travelling North through Sturt Plateau, it
became clear that we were heading towards the tropics. Dry red soil and
parched tussock grasslands were replaced by bristling yellow thicket and
Eucalyptus woodlands.
The Ghan, stationed at Katherine.
While we were stationed at Katherine, we decided to take a
little walk through the savannah.
These termite mounds in the dense perennial grass can reach
pretty impressive heights sometimes (not on this occasion though).
Elizabeth river and Darwin in the far distance. At last we
could see our final destination.
Now see Darwin! (Link soon to go live)
