8th to 14th November 1999 (Week 45)

This week we wanted to get from the Karijini Nationalpark to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. We intended to drive from Broome to Halls Creek and from there use the Tanami Desert Track to Alice Springs. Depending on the amount of rain fallen in the Kimberley's, the Tanami Track would be closed at this time of the year. By chosing this route we would shorten our distance by about 1000 kilometers and as well as a change see what the Tanami desert looks like.

According to the information we got at the shire council in Halls Creek, the road was closed 2 weeks ago for one week due to heavy rainfall. We were told to expect several washouts and mud pools on the road as well as some heavy corrugation. We didn't need to sign in at the police station before we started the trip. We were told that in the meantime a lot of people were travelling the Tanami road. In the end we encountered about 3 cars, 3 graders and 2 roadtrains on the way.

Actually we were astonished how green the desert was. We found that the vegetation was almost everywhere pretty dense. it was not as barren as we expected it to be for a desert. The road was pretty rough, although we found it easier to drive, because having to expect ever changing road conditions one stays alert much easier. Nevertheless it took around 12 hours driving time to travel the roughly 1200 km long track.

In Alice Springs we spent 3 days around the City and mostly around the pool. During that time we visited as well the Alice Springs Desert Park. This park specialises its exhibits on the plants and wildlife inhabiting the surrounding deserts. A very interesting and beautiful park.

On Saturday we went to the Old Ghan Museum. This Museum is dedicated to preserve the Old Ghan Train. Which for the first time travelled in 1929 from Adelaide to Alice Springs. The name Ghan was given the train in order to honour the Afghan Camels and their masters which brought all the goods to Alice Springs and further north before the Railway existed. During the season it is still possible to take a ride on the Ghan. At times pulled by a steam locomotive and at times pulled by a diesel locomotive.