We filled up with fuel. This is the bowser shot - $304 this then is the fuel bill for the Birdsville Track.

Stocked up with some groceries - Fresh bread (he bakes) Paid to do the dump point as we weren't staying.

The Oodnadatta Track is open - lets do it!

The Oodnadatta track mostly runs beside what used to be the Ghan Rail Line to its terminus at Oodnadatta. This is the first of many sidings. The sidings were both used as a bases during construction and then as a fettler's camps and watering points for the locos.

The ruins of the fettler's accommodation block.

Ann poking around inside the ruins.

UK artist Robin Cooke has created a unique sculpture park in the middle of nowhere beside the track. I like the concept but in my opinion it is let down by most of the actual pieces. Although these two light aircraft do have some appeal.

For me the dilapidated signage summarises the park.

Looking along the rail tracks to the water tower at Curdimurka Siding.

The water tower has the remains of a water softener beside it. I don't think it was a resin bed demineralisation plant like those  used to treat the water in the power station but something to help reduce the scaling of the water tubes in the locos.

The steel bridge over Stuart Creek. From what I can make out this water is permanent as it is spring fed. Judging by the water plant at the water tower I suspect it is saline. (I didn't climb down for a taste)

I think this is the second longest bridge on the line.

To the west of the main track and down a 6 km pretty rough corrugated track you come to the Wabma Kadarbu Mound Springs Conservation Park where you are rewarded by these permanent hot springs.

This spring is called the bubbler and while we were watching there were lots of small bubbles and then it did this. Apparently it used to geyser up to two metres in the air but not anymore.

The outflow from the spring.

Blanche Cup the adjacent spring doesn't have as much flow as the Bubbler.

The signage at the site details a dreamtime story for the springs. I don't recall the lead up but a hunter killed a snake here. The turbulence in the Bubbler is the death throes of the snake. He then cut his head off and threw it away there it is that flat extinct large mound spring. He then cooked the snake in the warm waters of Blanche Cup.