General News
14 July, 2026
The Red Centre: Part 2, with Val Dwyer
Val Dwyer's travel story continues from last week.
Continued from Part 1, published last week
Back on the bus on the way to Wallara, in the middle of nowhere, we broke down again. As with the breakdown at the beginning of the trip, Phil and Brian took over and solved the situation. It was so reassuring to be an onlooker and have the Holland brothers fix the problem. What would one do if this happened travelling by car, out there in the middle of the woop woop?
We had a hilarious evening at the Wallara pub. Losers at pool had to donate their undies to be hung from the ceiling. There were dozens already there, bras, knickers and jocks. Robert Durbridge, Jacque’s husband, volunteered to donate his, which we all signed.
On the way to Ayers Rock (Uluru) we camped at Kings Creek Station and explored Kings Canyon and the Garden of Eden, an oasis of rocks, pools and greenery.
Leaving Kings Canyon we travelled to Uluru and set up camp there. We were privileged to climb the rock.
Most of our evenings were spent all together sharing fun and nonsense. Bruce Upton and I volunteered to let the kids ‘do our hair’. They had a great time making us look ridiculous, especially Bruce, with his bald shiny head, on which they drew a weird looking face.
We had a change from our tents, spending a night at underground Coober Pedy, where we searched for opals on the mullock heaps and one of the kids actually found one.
Leaving Coober Pedy, Bill Holland told us that we wouldn’t be pitching our tents, that night, but take the opportunity to experience sleeping under the stars. It was agony, as it blew a gale. After an awful night we had a guided tour of Glendambo, the opal mining town.
Our last adventure was a visit to the township of Woomera. In 1947 the area was declared a Prohibited Area as that was where the first military trial took place.
We passed through Port Augusta and Spencer Gulf Heading for home, via Adelaide and Bordertown.
Phil always in charge, planned entertainment for the long trip back.
“Phil, Mine Host, gaily organized the bus
Bingo and parlour games, the laughs were all on us.
Paige tried to push a matchbox with her nose
Ben he sang, ‘McDonald’ and dirtied up his clothes.
Kagtja sang in Finnish, we don’t know what she meant
Reba bossed the choir, quite in her element.
Zach chose his ‘Perfect Match,’ his dream, his love so dear
But we’ll keep his secret and won’t disclose it here.”
A million thanks to Bruce, a million thanks to Jacq.
With their brains and brawn and spunk, we toured the Red Outback.