Easter Camping--Great Victoria Desert

We went camping over the long weekend with some friends.  Our itinerary took us north of Kalgoorlie to Jeedamya Station where we camped the first night and were hit with gales and sheets of rain that blew one tent away.
Day two we proceeded to Leonora where we turned east and drove to Laverton.  North of Laverton we linked up with the Great Central Highway which runs all the way across the continent to Winton in Queensland.  We drove north east stopping to investigate a Bower Bird's Nest and some rock holes along the way (gnamma holes).  At Tjikurla Roadhouse we fueled up for the last time before going off the main road.  And we camped in a borrow pit just past the roadhouse.
Day three we turned east along the 27th parralel following a dirt track called Parralel road #2.  This road undulated over sand banks and into drainage lines and then up onto rock plateaus until we reached the Connie Sue Highway which runs due north and south.  We were hoping to go into Waterfall gorge and Sydney Yeo Chasm but found that the tracks were sign posted by the Aboriginal Community that we were not allowed to enter.  We reread our transit permits and realized that we should have asked for permission to enter.  Other members of our party had been this way before and there were no restrictions at that time so we didn't think to organize it.  That was a bit of a disappointment.  We traveled south on the Connie Sue past Hann's tabletop and Ryan's Bluff.  Phil found us a great camping site under the big Marble Gums.  The sunset was beautiful.  Day 4 we continued south to Neal's Junction stopping off at Point Sandercock where we found middens of the lesser Stick Nest Rat who is now extinct.  I lost my beloved Norwegian knife there including the leather sheath! On to Point Lillian, these are rock outcrops that we call Breakaways.  There are shallow caves under the lip of the hard weather resistant rock and great views of the country from the top.  At Neale's Junction the Connie Sue crossed the Anne Beadell Highway (another dirt track).  There is a sign post there that has all points marked on it.  "Coober Pedy 600 miles" to the east.  I would love to do that some day.  We turned back west towards Laverton and camped for the night at Bishop Riley's Pulpit.
Day 5 was back to Laverton via Lake Yeo Homestead, Yamana Homestead, Point Sunday and White Cliffs station and then home.    We covered all up 1825 kilometers!  It is great that there are still places in the world where you can drive, not see another vehicle for days and camp wherever you like.

Not sure how to tip this upright.  Rain puddles at Jeedamya Stations.

The Convoy!  Phil and I took the lead so we could radio the others about plants along the way.

Beautiful Sunset under the Marble Gums.

Billies on the Fire.

Point Sandercock

Bush Shower at Lake Yeo Homestead and Nature Reserve

It was a great trip.  We hope to do more in the future.  I hope you enjoy these photos and let me wish all the Mum's out there a Happy Mother's Day!