In which Lake Eyre is a bit disapointing

Over the long weekend Haydee, Josh, and I went on a road trip to Lake Eyre with Robyne and friends (those who came to the Gawler Ranges plus a few extras). We drove up to Hawker on Friday evening and arrived at the caravan park at about 10:30pm. That evening it rained a little but we didnt get too wet. On Saturday we drove from Hawker to Lake Eyre (Halligan bay). Damian's car broke down on the way so by the time we arrived it was dark and also really windy. We had to place the cars so that they created a wind break to enable us to put up the tents. Robyne still managed to snap one of her tent poles. The next morning we went for a walk over the sand dune to see that there was very little water in the lake. To be more precise we could see a band of water on the horizon and that was it. We were all disapointed as the only wildlife to be seen were your common silver gulls. However, Haydee, Josh and I went for a walk towards the water until it became too boggy and we came across a puddle which I went for a paddle just so that I can say "I've been paddling in Lake Eyre". Haydee wasnt too impressed with the amount of mud which was now coating my feet.

After this we separated from the main group in order to go to William's Creek to get petrol which cost 189 cents a litre. The pub was covered wall to wall in stickers, number plates, coasters etc. We met up with the others at Mound springs for lunch. The springs turned out to be the highlight of the trip. There were two mounds of dirt about 5m tall with a flat top. In the middle of the circular flat top there was a circular pool of water. The first one was still water and the second was warm and had bubbles comming up from the centre. Although we didnt see any there is apparently endemic wildlife in these pools (critters which are only found in that one pool and no where else in the world).

On sunday night we slept in a river bed off the side of the Oonadatta track near Marree. The spot was beautiful as it had lots of trees and plants were as outside the bed was bare. Monday was our long drive home. This time accompaied by Robyne as she also had to be at work on Tuesday. The others were camping for another night before heading home on Tuesday afternoon. We all arrived home safe and sound and had a good time but I would recommend a trip to the Gawler Ranges over Lake Eyre.