Small Aussie Adventures, nomad (2025)

05/02/2025

We’ve been a bit quiet since getting back to QLD for Christmas, but here’s what’s been happening…

Brad has managed to injure himself (I know, right?!). I did try to tell him he was pushing too hard, but does he ever listen? The Physio has given him at least a 6-month recovery timeline, so we’ve decided to stay put in QLD while he heals.

That means our zigzagging Aussie adventure is on pause—for now! But come June, we’re still heading overseas to San Diego, and after that… who knows? Do we pick up where we left off and keep exploring Aus? Or do we take off for another international adventure? Decisions, decisions!

In the meantime, we’ll still be making the most of it with smaller trips before June, so stay tuned for more adventures coming your way!

What would you do—hit the road again or explore more of the world?

05/12/2024

We’re back home just in time to surprise Dad for his birthday! 🥳 Our first night back at Mum & Dad’s, and we’ll admit, we were a bit nervous (she was looking a bit green 🫣). If you’ve been following our journey, you’d know our previous van was written off in a hailstorm here just 12 months ago.

Thankfully, the weather was kind to us this time – the hail went around, and we only copped some wind and rain. What a relief!

We’ve decided to stick around Queensland until just after Christmas. It’ll be great to spend time with family and relax before hitting the road again.

We’d love to hear what your plans are for the Christmas break. Are you traveling, staying home, or something else? Let us know below!

03/12/2024

Our next stop was Nindigully, where we spent a night at the popular free camp near the Pub. We enjoyed some dinner and live entertainment, soaking in the great atmosphere. Much to Brad's disappointment, we didn’t tackle the famous Road Train Burger this time – but it’s on the list for another visit!

Fun fact: It’s also the backdrop for the movie Paperback Hero (1999), starring Hugh Jackman and Claudia Karvan. The pub was transformed into the fictional town of "Girlie" for the film, making it a fun spot for movie buffs.

Maddie then wanted to watch the movie so after dinner that's what we did 😀

Who has tackled the Road Train Burger & was it worth it?

01/12/2024

It finally happened—after over two years on the road, we got our first flat tyre! About 30km outside of Bourke, we noticed the tyre pressure starting to drop thanks to the trusty TPMS we have installed.

A quick roadside stop later, we swapped over to the spare and were back on the road in no time. The monitors were a lifesaver, giving us a heads-up before the pressure got too low and caused any major damage.

If you’re traveling full-time like us, we’d love to know—how long did you make it before getting your first flat tyre?

29/11/2024

Our next stop along the Darling River Run brought us to Trilby Station, and we’re so glad we made the turn off! We camped right on a billabong and just relaxed for the night.

The campsites are huge, giving everyone plenty of space to spread out and enjoy their own little slice of outback paradise. They even have canoes for you to use if you wanted. Lexi was also in her element—no neighbours close by meant she could run free without a worry in the world.

27/11/2024

At the entrance to Kallara Station not far outside of Tilpa, we came across another couple of Big Things for Maddie to tick off her ever-growing list!

We spotted the Big Echidna, which was pretty cool, and a Big Bird. It’s always fun stumbling across these quirky landmarks while traveling.

25/11/2024

Our next few nights were at Broken Hill, this was just a quick stopover for us this time to catch up on some work. Having already explored the town during our last visit, we didn’t do much besides settle in and get things done.

After a productive days work, we hit the road again and stopped for lunch at Tilpa, located along the iconic Darling River Run.

We enjoyed a nice lunch at the Tilpa Hotel and snapped a quick photo with the town sign before heading off to our next destination.

23/11/2024

We then spent a couple of nights at Spear Creek, taking the chance to get some work done and enjoy the area. To top it off, some of our awesome friends joined us for a night, which made the stay even better!

Spear Creek is conveniently close to Port Augusta, where we spotted a little whirly-whirly crossing the road on one of our trips into town and had to get a pic. While we were there, we stocked up on groceries, fuel, and other essentials.

The park itself features two 4WD tracks, and of course, we had to give them a go. The first track took about 30 minutes—it wasn’t too challenging, just a bit steep in sections, but the lookout at the top rewarded us with stunning views. The second track took around 45 minutes to an hour, adding a bit more excitement with some fun creek crossings. Both tracks were a fantastic way to spend the afternoon and added a nice touch of adventure to our stay.

21/11/2024

This spot quickly became one of our favourite stops on our travels so far.

It’s an off-grid paradise with huge campsites, each offering plenty of space and privacy, dog friendly (Lexi 🐾 loved having no neighbours close by) plus your own drop toilet—a rare luxury for remote camping.

So....If you’re traveling through the area, we think that the Bendleby Ranges is a must-visit!

We had cooler weather during our stay, which made exploring and relaxing even better. The 4WD tracks were incredible, offering challenges for all levels and giving us access to breathtaking views and rugged terrain.

* I believe there are also some powered campsites for those who don’t want to go fully off-grid, as well as cottages for anyone who prefers a more comfortable stay over camping.

This is one spot we will definitely be visiting again! Add it to your list—it’s well worth it!

19/11/2024

The Big Akubra Hat—another Aussie “Big Thing” checked off Maddie’s list!

How many "Big Things" have you ticked off?

17/11/2024

When we first drove into Leigh Creek, Brad kept saying how much it felt like a mining camp—and after chatting with some locals, we found out that Leigh Creek was originally a closed mining town, open only to workers and their families.

A lovely lady at the servo shared that about half the town has been demolished due to asbestos in the buildings, with more set to come down soon.

* This former coal mining hub once thrived, with operations kicking off in the 1940s to supply coal to Port Augusta. At its peak, the town had over 2,000 residents, complete with schools, shops, and even a hospital. But when mining ceased in 2015, the town opened up to the public, most residents moved on, and today only a few locals remain in this peaceful outback stop.

There is not much to see or do in the town itself but would be a great base camp to explore some of the Flinders Ranges. Hopefully the locals can get it up and running as the tourist hub that they are planning for.

15/11/2024

There’s so much to see while driving the Oodnadatta Track — old railway sidings, historic ruins, and epic old Ghan bridges scattered along the route. Here are a few of the spots we stopped to explore!

* The Algebuckina Bridge. Stretching 587 meters, it’s the longest single-span bridge in South Australia and was built back around 1892 as part of the original Ghan railway. It’s an impressive sight, especially set against the rugged outback backdrop.

* We also stopped at some of the mound springs along the track. These are naturally occurring springs where water bubbles up from the Great Artesian Basin. They’re ancient and have been used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years as water sources in the desert. The springs are also vital to unique wildlife and plant species that depend on them.

As for the Oodnadatta Track itself, it follows an old Aboriginal trade route and later became a path for European explorers and Afghan cameleers who helped build the Ghan railway line.

Today, it’s one of Australia’s most iconic outback roads—rough and remote, but so worth the journey. If you’re up for an adventure, the Oodnadatta Track should be on your list!

13/11/2024

Quick stop to check out the incredible Lake Eyre, Australia’s largest salt lake! This vast, otherworldly landscape stretches out as far as the eye can see—a must-see spot when you’re exploring the Outback.

Lake Eyre is fascinating because it’s usually dry, with just a salty crust covering its surface, but when it does fill with water (which I would absolutely love to see), it becomes a massive inland oasis, attracting all kinds of birdlife, including pelicans. Fun fact: the lake’s lowest point sits 15 meters below sea level, making it the lowest natural point in Australia.

Historically, Lake Eyre is important to the local Arabana people, who call it Kati Thanda and have strong cultural ties to this incredible place. The lake has seen everything from epic land-speed records set by Donald Campbell in the 1960s to unique wildlife migrations whenever water fills the basin.

Lake Eyre is a bucket-list spot for sure, and seeing it up close was unforgettable!

11/11/2024

Our overnight stop along the Oodnadatta Track was Coward Springs—and what a gem of a stop it was!

After a dusty day’s drive, we couldn’t wait to cool off in the plunge pool. Funny enough, we thought it’d be hot, but it was refreshingly cool—perfect for a quick dip! Maddie decided to sit this one out and stayed back in the van with Lexi.

We also took a walk through the little museum to soak up some history, then settled in for a relaxed evening. Plus we did enjoy the date scones at the little cafe/shop— definitely worth it for a treat.

The flies? Next-level annoying. Sticky little buggas that wouldn’t give us a break!

If you’re doing the Oodnadatta Track, this place is a must-see for its mix of outback charm, relaxation, and a bit of history. It’s definately got the kind of character you only find in the Aussie outback!

09/11/2024

We made it to Oodnadatta! After a day on the road, we settled into the caravan park behind the Pink Roadhouse for the night. Dinner at the roadhouse hit the spot, and after we wandered around this outback town.

We had to snag our iconic shot in front of the Pink Roadhouse (it’s a must!) before hitting the road the next morning.

Oodnadatta is famous for being part of the old Ghan railway route, which once connected Adelaide to Alice Springs.

Today, it’s known as one of the most remote towns in Australia—and a gateway to the Oodnadatta Track, one of the country’s most epic outback roads.

* Oodnadatta once held the record for Australia’s hottest temperature at 50.7°C (or 123.3°F) back in 1960.

Who's done the Oodnadatta Track?

07/11/2024

On our way from Coober Pedy, we took a small detour to see the Painted Desert, and it was worth every extra mile. This place feels like a hidden world, with colorful hills and layers that shift with the sunlight, from deep reds to soft pinks and golds. It’s incredible to think nature created this over millions of years.

Standing there, looking out over these rugged formations, reminded us why we love exploring Australia. Sometimes, the best parts of the journey are the places you find off the main track. The Painted Desert was a true highlight and one of those spots that makes you stop and just take it all in. If you’re in the outback, don’t miss it!

Let us know if you have you been here and what you thought 😀

05/11/2024

After exploring town, we dove further into the history and underground lifestyle with a visit to the Old Timers Mine. This museum takes you through the hand-dug tunnels and gives a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of miners and their families who made their homes here. The scale of work involved is hard to believe — you can feel the history with every step.

On our fourth night we ditched the van for a stay at Holly Court, a dugout accommodation that lets you experience what it’s like to live underground. Sleeping in the cool, rock-walled space was such a unique experience, and even Lexi got to join us!

To wrap up our stay, we headed out to the Breakaways, a natural wonder just outside of town. The colorful, rugged landscape stretches out like another planet and was the perfect way to end our Coober Pedy adventure.

We couldn’t leave without a stop at the Welcome Sign for one last memory of this unique outback town. Coober Pedy is such an unforgettable place with its underground wonders and desert charm. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventure!

03/11/2024

Our five-night stay in Coober Pedy gave us a great chance to dig into all this incredible town has to offer while also getting some work done.

We started with a stop at the 360 Cinema, where we got a crash course on the town’s fascinating history and the hard-working spirit that built this underground community. The films were a perfect intro to Coober Pedy’s mining past and what life is like in the “opal capital of the world.”

The Big Winch & lookout was next on our list (as it is in the same location), offering sweeping views of Coober Pedy and the surrounding outback. It’s definitely the best spot to see the town from above and get a feel for the endless landscape that stretches beyond.

The Catacomb Church, a simple but moving underground chapel. We also visited the Serbian Orthodox Church, an incredibly carved underground sanctuary with stunning details throughout. It’s a must-see for anyone visiting Coober Pedy and one of the most impressive underground spaces we’ve seen.

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Small Aussie Adventures