1970 School Magazine
spent the night in the Life-saving Club-house ( Luxury ! ) for 35c. Saturday, 22nd August : Off to a good start and drove like mad all duy to get to \West \Wyalong to connect with a train . . . slowed down by a head wind (we realiy were flying ), we did not even stop for lunch. After seeing off the Rail Motor, and Alfred and Nell to Sydney, we rested the bus and then pro- ceeded to Forbes for the night. Spent the night in long grass, prickles, and cold but so tired it did not matter. Sunday, 23rd August : Got up to a howling wind so all piled into the bus und drove to Parkes for breakfast. After a cold breakfast ( the fire kept blowing out ) we v/ent to see the Parkes Radio Telescope, where the talking chairs worked. Then on past Coona- barcabran and Gilgandra to Tamworth where we spent the night. Monday, 24th August : At about 2 ^.m. the rain poured down and ure got very wet. Everyone piled into the bus and its interior rapidly took on the charucteristics of a swamp. Had breakfast in the bus as we headed North, and we were all wet and miserable. Passed Armid ale, crossed the Border ( cheers ! ) then on through Stanthorpe, \X/arwick and Cunningham's Gap. By now everyone was eager' to get home so the duy passed slowly. To make matters wofse the bus developed a loose Universal Joint (if you really MUST know what this i.elicate mechanism is, just ask our fund of knowledge, Eddie, the Coach Captain! ) and it was necessary to ffavel slower than usual so it was not until 6.30 p.m. that we arrived back at Grammar. The trip ended with ^ rousing School war cry and then we dispersed, grimy and weary, and went home to recuperate.
we saw the Valley of Eagles and the Valley of \Winds beautiful views and colouring. Then on to Ayers Rock. \X/e drove around it (to get ^n all-round view ) then backed away 3 miles to watch it change colour at sunset. After the dis- play went back to the Camping Ground, had dinner and went to sleep out in the open. Sunday, 76th August : Up early to see the Rock at sunrise, then undertook a detailed examination of its more impressive features. Much photography. Joined the chain gang to climb Ayers Rock but very high and not all of us made it. Freezing on top and a wind strong enough to blow your false teeth out ! ! Set off South again, past Curtin Springs and Mt. Connor. Stopped for lunch and dinner, but drove on until ) a.m. Monday, 17 th August : Up after a bad night to face a breakfast' of Spanish Fritters ideal for mending roads ! Drove on through Sturts Stony Desert to Coober Pedy, which consists of a mixture of dust and lock with some impurities in the form of people. Rather horrible, with a Caruvan Park to match. Saw the Desalination Plant, the Opal Cave , &n underground home, Aladdin's Cave, and the Underground Church. Spent the night in the open, in the gravel and dust , after a 'bath' in 2 pints of water our ration. Tuesday, 18th August : Spent the duy just mavelling. Had lunch and rested the bus at Kingoo nya. Camped that night beside the road an impromptu camp- fire concert beaut evening's entertainment. Wednesday, 19tb August : Arrived early at Port Augusta water, real sea water-Cheers ! ! Pressed on to Port Pirie for lunch . . GREEN grass yet! Before we could get fully over the shock we were in Adelaide . back to civilization ! Drove around to see the general layout of the place then set up camp in ^ Caruvan Park, and had ^ good clean up. Some of the girls went to visit friends. Thursday, 20th August : Spent most oI the duy wandering around Adelaide seeing the sights. Adelaide is really ^ beautiful city, and seemed more so since we had just come from Coober Pedy. That afternoon we went to the pictures "Ned Kelly", and then saw the lights of Adelaide from Mt. Osmond. Back to camp and bed. Friday, 27st August : V. left Adelaide at 8.30 a.m. and drove past Elizabeth ( a satellite city, part of Australia's space programme ) to the Barossa Valley - beautifil - where we saw ovef the Kaiser Stuhl \Winery, and somewhat depleted ouf financial resefves. Had lunch and rested the bus at Nurioo tpa, then drove on to Mildura where we
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