Hot night underground bit strange as you wake up with no idea of the time. You look for the light to give you a hint and there isn't any.

We leave the hotel in search for a coffee it appears nothing opens until 10am we find a bakery which served pretty good coffee and shared a brownie. Sitting opposite one of the many Opal mines we thought we should go and have look.

Ulmooa is like many places in Coober Pedy built into the rock. It is difficult to work out if the rock has been dug out of the ground and left in piles or this part has naturally formed. In the entrance There is a small exhibition about mining and the local aborigine tribes. You can take a tour of the mine underground or visit the shop.
 We went to the shop ouch expensive but very lovely. Very friendly shop assistant explained the differences in the quality of opals and how some of the colour is obtained. 

Sitting in the car park is what looks like the remains of Hans Solos Millennium Falcon, no reason or explanation given as to why its there, Coober Pede is a weird place. Its also our first real experience of Aborigines who seem to wander aimlessly around town or just sit in the shade doing nothing.

For miles outside the town the land is covered by millions of pimple looking piles of earth. Where mines have been started and the waste discarded. Every where are warning signs for you not to wander of the roads as there is a big risk of falling down the holes.

Continuing up the Stuart Highway we are eventually in true outback country and cross into the Northern Territories. You see crazy things as you go a long a couple of guys at the side of the road waving what looks like a small Alligator at us. Why?..

Birds are still the main nightlight of the ride seeing a number of Eagles and other birds of prey. the terrain is more interesting than the last few days becoming rocky in places and the earth has turned a deep red.
We arrive at the desert oaks resort about 5.30pm not quite as advertised and no wifi