Travelog Australia 2015: Ayer Rocks and the Outback Pioneer Lodge, NT

Date: June 30th, 2015

We reached Ayer Rock in the broad daylight, the 1st one during this trip so far. We had leisure time checking in and cooking for our iftar in the common kitchen.

The journey took us about 5hrs including a pit stop at a Camel Farm. We didnt really do anything there other then taking photos. We're able to come up close to Road Train here. I've seen a lot of these along Stuart Hway and they mostly carries livestocks, cows to be specific. They're a very long train - make sense that it's a train since it's actually a combination of a 3 contenna size coaches.

Anyway, we checked in to the Outback Pioneer Lodge dorm. If i'm not mistaken, there're 40 of us in a room but it was spacious and segmentized into 4-in a cube. However, there're only ur bed, a place to hang few stuff and a night light. That's it. U have to just put ur bags anywhere conveniently. I've read that this acco is one of the most expensive acco in Australia.

The whole resort at Uluru is huge and quite nice but because you pretty much have to stay there, they charge ridiculously high. I could see Uluru from the viewing point behind the resort. Very close yet far. 

After walking around, we started to prepare for iftar. The kitchen was spacious. There were 4sets of 4-stoves so there're plenty of space for everybody to share. 
We cooked there but end up eating in the van instead hahaha. They're not enough seating area...

We settled down early that day...

Travelog Australia 2015: Alice Spring, NT & Heritage Caravan Park.

Date: June 29th, 2015

Today, we're crossing the border from South Australia to the Northern Territory. It was another long journey of 688km along Stuart Highway. One interesting fact about Stuart Highway is that there are NO SPEED LIMIT on some of the leg in the NT, all the way up to Darwin. The hway was literally straight that u can see miles ahead of u.

Today, we reached the camp park quite late since we stayed a lot longer roaming around Coober Pedy earlier in the day. Again, the office was already closed and no one picked up the phone when we called the cell number. We cant go in since the gate required a combination number to open. We spent quite some time walking around but we couldnt find the staff either. A lovely lady let us in using here code but we had no idea where we are and where to park. We even parked at others' site and get kicked out. That's then when the staff finally called us back and said that she left an enveloped TAPED on the office doors. Gosh! it's so dark with no lighting turned on! How could i see the envelope although it's white -_-'

Only then, we know where to park. It was actually at the other end of the park. Less crowded and with bigger space right next to the pool. This time, we could align our van so that it'd be easier for us to pray. However,the space came with a price. The toilet was waaayyyyyyy further up. Luckily there was a water pipe nearby making it easier for us to clean up after dinner.

 The caravan park was big. It has cabins as well as multi space for campervan and RV as well. It kind of divided into 2 main area, left or right side (from the entry gate). Left side was where the smaller camp sites, cabins and the toilet/laundry building were. Then to the right, u could see an opened hall with a lot of seating area, a huge pool, bigger camp sites and a designated fenced area for dogs to run and play around. So, being our site next to the pool, right around us were RVs (more like buses).

Overall, the caravan park was well maintained and pet friendly. A lot of parking spots for the campervans with clean facilities. 

Travelog Australia 2015: Coober Pedy - Opal Inn Motel & Caravan Park; Old Timers Opal Mine

Date: June 28th-29th, 2015

It's a bright sunny day with a perfect weather. It was a long drive since the cruising speed of the Van was only 110kmph. We rotated and finally reached Opal Inn around 6pm. Nothing much was done that night other than settling in and cooked dinner. Opal Inn itself is located right in the middle of Coober Pedy. Coober Pedy itself as a very small mining town. Well, the town is small surrounded by the vast area of opal mines.

 The next morning, we went to the Old Timers Mine.

"The Old Timers Mine and Museum opens a window on the fascinating history of opal mining in Coober Pedy, revealing not only the hard physical grind and the occasional bonanza that was mining in the early days, but also an intriguing mystery at the heart of the mine.The original mine dates back to 1916, but the old miners, whoever they were, concealed its existence by back-filling the shafts. The mystery is why they never returned to dig out the opal that remained. Perhaps they went to the First World War and never came home again.  It was not until 1968 that the hidden mine was discovered by Ron Gough when he was digging an extension to his underground home and broke through, exposing three large seams of good quality opal, as well as opalised seashells. These have been retained and can be seen by visitors today."-http://www.oldtimersmine.com/

It was a self tour but it started with a briefing by the staff outside next to a mining truck (it looks like the truck at the town signage above). I forget what the name of this machine but basically, this machine sucks up the excavated dirt from the mine and then dumps it in a heap at the edge of the hole. Few of us had the opportunity to try on the suction capacity and it was strong. It could easily sucked a fist size dirt and stone easily from our hands and the guide said there're numerous count of sunglasses as well LOL (from those hang on the shirt collars).

Inside the mine, we saw how the raw opal was processed into the well shaped stones in the workshop. The uncle working there was really kind to show us with all the machines in there. The rest of the time, we explore and climb our way around hehe.

For those who doesnt know what  Opal is. Opal is the national gemstone of Australia. Australia supplies 85-97% of Opal around the world and 80% of them originates from South Australia and Coober Pedy is the main mine source.  The largest and most valuable opal found to date, The Olympic Australis Opal, valued at AU$2,500,000 was found in Coober Pedy.

Ya, I know. You must have expected it to be luxurious and sparkling, right? But due to the uniqeness and purity of the opal (99% gem), it was decided that the opal will remain exactly as found.

Anyway, we spent couple of hours here before continuing our journey to Alice Spring.