Triumphant arrival in Darwin
Day 52: Darwin

This morning we visited Batchelor Area School, about 14 km from the highway, adjacent the Litchfield National Park. We did presentations for 5 enthusiastic class groups, and then packed up ready for the final leg of our journey – the last 100 km into Darwin, and the final few kilometres that the Talbot would drive under its own steam.

We arrived at Winnellie Post Office about 15 minutes ahead of schedule, so we had plenty of time to unload the car and meet the members of the historic cars that were going to follow us into town.

The car started beautifully, and Kym followed the police escort to the front steps of Parliament House, where we were met by NT Minister, Marion Scrymger and a crowd of school children and interested onlookers. Once the media had taken all the photographs and film that they needed to we began the task of shifting the Talbot into the NT Library. We’d done the measurements, so we knew it would fit, but it certainly was close!

Once the exhibition was in place, all that was left to do was to have a shower before the party at the Library in the evening!

A big thanks to everyone who has made this journey happen, and to everyone who has followed our progress on the blog. We’ll miss you!

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We’ve made it from Adelaide to Adelaide River
Day 51: Adelaide River

This morning we visited Adelaide River Primary School. The principal had been doing some work with his students about the journey, but unfortunately he was in Darwin at a meeting and wasn’t able to see the exhibition when we visited. But we did some activities with the senior primary class, who learned a lot more about the Talbot and its journey, and hopefully those students will be able to fill him in on what he missed. The junior class also had time for a good look at the display.

When we had finished with at the school we set up again at the Adelaide River Historic Railway Precinct, and today I had time for a bit of a walk around and some exploration of the site, which is part of the National Trust. There is a museum in the old railway station, and I discovered that the railway line to Adelaide River was built in the 1880s using ‘coolie’ labour. Despite the number of bridges that had to be built on the line, the work was done remarkably quickly. Today, although the railway line still goes right past the front of the old station, there is no longer a stop in Adelaide River.

I wonder if 100 years ago, Dutton and Aunger were as excited as we are today about being so close to their final destination.

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Getting close to Darwin
Day 50: Katherine to Adelaide River

Our first stop this morning was Pine River School. In 1908, Pine River was as far south as the railway came, and it was here that Dutton and Aunger put Angelina (their first car) onto the train for the remainder of the journey to Darwin – she had been struggling with the creek crossings.

The students at Pine Creek had done a wonderful job preparing for our arrival! The students had made two large cardboard Talbots – one freestanding that they had painted and one collage with lots of information about the journey. The students had all prepared questions for us about our journey as well, which we answered as best we could. They had also invited members of the local community to come and have a look at the car and to share morning tea.

We packed up from there and drove on to Adelaide River, where we set up in the grounds of the Railway Museum. We took the Talbot off the trailer to give it a short run with a police escort before the big entrance into Darwin, and many of the locals were surprised and delighted to see it chug by.

Then at 5.30 I presented a short talk about the exhibition before drinks and nibbles.

Before I go can I say a quick hello to the students in the Junior Primary class at Truro Primary who have been following our progress.Thanks for the fantastic comments you left on our previous blog entry. Hopefully we can see you when we get back to the National Motor Museum!

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A visit to Nitmiluk
Day 49: Katherine

We haven’t had much time to go exploring the sites of the places we have visited on this journey because every day we have had the exhibition set up – but Russ and Liz found a breakfast cruise of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) which would get us back into town before 10 am to set up, so we went for it!

We had to be up early for the half hour drive out of town, and we arrived at Nitmiluk National Park on the traditional lands of the Jaowyn people before the sun had come up. We were greeted by a lively chorus from the fruit bats who were hanging around in the trees along the riverbank. We then boarded our boat for the cruise through the first gorge, just as the sun was coming up. Our skipper and guide, Taffy, was fantastic! So knowledgeable about the plants and animals of the area, and of the river and the geology of the area. He also told us lots about the importance of the area to the Jaowyn people. We then walked about 600 metres along the river to our second boat for the second part of the cruise through the second, narrower gorge. Taffy explained that during dry season (as we are now) the river levels fall, exposing rocks that mean that the boats cannot get through, but that during wet season, they can travel straight through.

On a high from our morning cruise, we went into town and set up the exhibition. Late in the afternoon we were visited by a group of tractors we had been told about, who were travelling on their biennial run – this time they had met in Katherine, a number coming from as far away as WA – and had travelled to Darwin and back.

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Posted by: Natalie Mudge - Truro Primary School
Date: Monday, August 18, 2008 2:37:41 PM

To Allison and the rest of the crew,

At Truro Primary school in the JP class we have been following your trip to Darwin, on our big map of Australia.

These are some of our comments:

We would love to ride in the car.

Our class can't wait to see you and the car when you get back.

We have been looking at where you have been going on our map.

We would like to see the car.

We have been looking at some of the towns you have visted ad we drew pictures of what we thought the outback would have looked like.

We like what you have done.

We liked the pictures of the animals, especially Allison's cat.

We like the pictures of where you have been.

We hope you have a good night's sleep.

You have gone a long way.

Keep up the great work.

We hope you have fun in Darwin.

From Truro Primary School Junior primary class.

Natalie Mudge
Junior Primary Teacher
Truro Primary School

Posted by: Allison Russell

Thanks very much to the students at Truro Primary who have been following our progress. We're only one day away from Darwin now.

We hope you can come and visit us and the car when it is back in the National Motor Museum once the exhibition finishes in Darwin. It should be back on display in early October.

See you soo, I hope!

Best wishes
Allison

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At the Tick Market
Day 48: Katherine

This morning we set up at the Tick Market site at 8 to be ready for the crowds at 9. There weren’t many stalls there – apparently there was a fundraising fete somewhere else, and a number of stall holders had set up there today instead, but its quality not quantity that counts! Cheesecake and coffee, candles, jewellery, fresh veggies and seafood, weaving from East Timor, cakes and cards – it was all there! We were stunned by the number of people who visited between 9 and 12. One visitor, Don, brought some photographs he took in Darwin 49 years ago when the Harry Dutton’s family celebrated the 51st anniversary of the first crossing.

When the Tick Market closed, we moved to the carpark beside the Visitor Information Centre again, and had quite a crowd come to visit when the train pulled into town.

Kym cooked a wonderful seafood BBQ for dinner using produce from the market – I had tofu, but the prawns and bugs smelled great!!

And for the people back at the National Motor Museum who are so cold – I put my air-conditioner on for a while when we got back this afternoon – it was so warm inside!

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Climate change
Day 47: Daly Waters to Katherine

We travelled more than 300 km north today, leaving Daly Waters before 8. It is really obvious now that we have left the desert and are in much wetter country: the trees are much taller and the grass is thicker. The termite mounds are much bigger, too. As we were cruising along the highway at 100kph it was hard not to think about how slowly Dutton and Aunger (and Allchurch, too) must have been travelling in the two Talbots through this landscape 100 years ago, trying to find a safe pathway through the vegetation, avoiding the termite mounds.

Our first stop for the day was Mataranka Primary School, almost 200 km north of Daly Waters. Mataranka Primary is doing some exciting environmental projects at their school, including a project with Victor Harbor School, on the coast of South Australia, near Adelaide.

We showed the car to a group of about 30 students, and after their recess break, the senior primary students talked about what cars might be like in the future. We talked a lot about alternative fuels, and most of their cars used solar technology and battery power. We then did another activity with a very lively bunch of Juniors.

We then drove on to Katherine, where we set up near the Visitor Information Centre, where we will be all day tomorrow and Sunday, hoping to meet lots of Katherine locals and visitors to the area.

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Exploring some history and culture
Day 46: Daly Waters

We set up early this morning because there were a number of travellers who were setting off early who hadn’t seen the display the previous day.

Daly Waters is essentially a pub and associated services – caravan, cabin and motel accommodation. The pub does great food and the area has loads of Australian character, which no doubt leaves many tourists – and probably some locals – a bit perplexed when they read on the menu that they can have bum nuts for breakfast! There is also a sign that proclaims: ‘We don’t serve women. You have to bring your own.’

After lunch I decided to take a short walk. I followed the signs to the Stuart Tree, on which John McDouall Stuart is believed to have carved a large ‘S’ on his successful overland crossing from Adelaide to Darwin in 1862. Not much of the tree left now, but it is interesting to think that it was only 46 years before the first motor car drove through that the first explorers had found the pathway that the Dutton and Aunger would later follow.

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A man with a chicken on his head
Day 45: Elliott to Daly Waters

What a lovely group of students we met at Newcastle Waters School, about 35km from Elliott! It is only a small school, but with such an enthusiastic teacher and students! There is not much left at Newcastle Waters now, although across the road from the school is a memorial to Australia’s drovers and records the story of the 220 km Murranji Stock Route, the most hazardous in Australia.

We then drove on towards Daly Waters, an hour or so down the road. Dutton and Aunger had a fairly dramatic entry into Daly Waters: they discovered that the bush around them was on fire, and so they had to travel as fast as they could. It was on this section of their journey that they sustained their only punctures – hardly surprising, since they were driving over sharp, burnt sticks. We also saw evidence of bushfires in the area.

We pulled into Daly Waters and set up outside the Pub. It really does feel like we have left the cold weather behind now. We all agreed that Daly Waters has a lovely feel – relaxed and friendly, with a uniquely Australian ambiance – but more about that tomorrow. Suffice to say that the entertainment in the evening was provided by a man with a chicken on his head – sorry, I didn’t take my camera to prove it, but its true!

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Finally some warmth!
Day 44: Tennant Creek – Elliott

Soon after leaving Tennant Creek we passed the memorial to the Rev’d John Flynn, who first visited the outback in 1912. He observed the fact that there was no minister of religion and no medical services here, and thanks to his efforts, the Royal Flying Doctor Service was founded in the 1920s to serve the people of the outback.

We took a short detour from the main highway down the old road which was un used until about 1980 to have a look at Churchill’s Head – a rock formation that does look a lot like the former British leader.

We arrived in Elliott about 10.30 and went straight to the school where we met lots of enthusiastic students. We then set up in town for the afternoon before dinner at the Elliott Hotel – great pizzas! The locals were still telling us how cold it was, but today we were finally starting to thaw!

Elliott is another town that was established during the Second World War along the supply line to Darwin. It was the final stop for troops before they reached Darwin, and had a reputation for being clean, comfortable and a welcome rest.

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Unseasonal weather
Day 43: Tennant Creek

We set up this morning at Tennant Creek High School, with the locals all telling us what we already knew – that it was very cold and windy! Although I guess we shouldn’t be complaining about this unseasonal weather, because it is a lot warmer here (19 degrees and sunny) than back home in Adelaide (13 degrees and raining). The school resource centre had put together a great display about the original journey and the tour, and also a quiz for students to answer.

While we were at the school, Russ and Liz went and had a look around the Battery Hill mining centre, and came back full of enthusiasm for what they had seen and learnt about the gold mining operations in Tennant Creek during the depression years.

We did presentations for six groups at the high school, and then we packed up and went on to the primary school. We set up there at lunchtime for people to have a look, and then after lunch classes came to visit the exhibition. School finished at about 2.30, and Kym and I went to see the view from the lookout above the town.

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Quiet Sunday in Tennant Creek
Day 42: Tennant Creek

We had a leisurely beginning to the morning that seemed to set the tone for the rest of the day. After breakfast we set up again in Peko Park, but today was much quieter than yesterday. Not sure whether it was post-election quiet, or the fact that lots of people decided to make the 700 km trip to Mt Isa for the rodeo. Never-the-less, we still had about 70 people come and visit us, including Billy, who told me that he had spent the last few weeks campaigning in remote communities in the Barkley electorate.

The cyclists following Blakely – whom we first met in Marree – have made it to Tennant Creek and had a rest day today, so we saw a number of them exploring the town. I suspect we will see them several more times before we all arrive in Darwin – we are due to arrive 2 days before they do.

It was a windy day in Tennant, which prompted Victorians Geoff and Betty to stay an extra day in town because the strong winds make towing their caravan more difficult and also costs them a lot more in fuel. On the up side, it meant that they had time to stop and visit the Talbot and learn more about Dutton and Aunger’s journey!

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9324 miles from London
Day 41: Wycliffe Well to Tennant Creek

There is a sign in the park where we set up today that tells us that it is 9324 miles from London. But like Dutton and Aunger, we are more interested in how far away we are from Darwin – about 1000km still.

On our drive this morning we stopped for a brief visit to the Devil’s Marbles – an amazing geological formation. Walking around, it is easy to understand why these giant granite tors have such special significance for Aboriginal people. Most of the story relating Karlu Karlu, as the formation is called by the local Aboriginal people, is secret, but a sign explains that it is a site relating to a women’s Dreaming.

We arrived in Tennant Creek and set up in Peko Park, in the centre of town. We are now further north than Dutton and Aunger were on their first journey – Angelina was abandoned just south of here on their first attempt. But it is amazing to realise how far they came on that first attempt.

We met someone today who was very excited to see the Talbot. Local artist, John, painted a mural about the history of Tennant Creek on one of the buildings on the main street, and included an image of the Talbot in the mural. About 3 months ago, the building burnt down, taking the mural with it, but John was amazed to see the car back in town, in the flesh, so to speak.

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The alien capital of the country
Day 40: Wycliffe Well

We started this morning with a big cook-up on the BBQ in the caravan park – eggs, hashbrowns, ,tomatoes, mushrooms and toast, and then set up again out the front of the roadhouse.

During the Second World War, when there were so many soldiers in the north, Wycliffe Well was an important point in the supply chain. So many soldiers needed to be fed. The red soil around this area was found to be good for growing vegetables, and there was plenty of artesian water available.

Today, however, Wycliffe Well is a popular tourist stop-off for people travelling along the Stuart Highway. Wycliffe Well proclaims itself as the alien capital of the country because of the large number of UFO sightings that have occurred here. The theme is carried through the caravan park, which is covered in murals with Australian scenes and aliens – indeed, if you want to go the toilet, you can choose from maliens or femailians!

We had dinner under the stars again this evening, but no close encounters…

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Close encounters
Day 39: Barrow Creek to Wycliffe Well via Neutral Junction and Ali Curung

We left Barrow Creek this morning at about 8 on our way to Neutral Junction School. The School is located on Neutral Junction Station, another extensive cattle property in the area. The school is only small – there were 10 students there today – but everyone seemed pleased to see us and the Talbot.

Our next stop was the school at Ali Curung. Ali Curung (or Alekarenge) is an Aboriginal Community about 20 km off the main road. Since today was a teachers’ strike and the day was a bit unstructured, we just opened the trailer and let the staff and students have a look around. As usual, the touchscreen computers were popular, but some students seemed to be very interested in the car itself and the photographs from 100 years ago.

Our next stop was Wycliffe Well, where we are staying for the next two nights. It advertises itself as the UFO capital of Australia – but more about that tomorrow…

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Willora School and back at Barrow Creek.
Day 38: Barrow Creek

This morning we visited Willora School. Willora is an Aboriginal Community of about 70 people located on Stirling Station, just south of Barrow Creek. Stirling Station is a cattle property of about 2 million acres. The teacher at Willora School, Rosemary had explained to us that there may not be many people to see visit the exhibition, because a member of the community had passed away recently, and people were still involved with the sorry camp. But she thought that it would still be appropriate for us to visit the community with the exhibition, so that is what we did, and a number of local people came to have a look at the old car. The photographs were especially interesting to the people who had lived there all their lives. One of the photos on the touch screen showed the Talbot amongst large anthills, but the people said that they had never seen anthills that big near Barrow Creek – so perhaps the caption is incorrect, or maybe climate change and cattle grazing have changed the landscape in the last 100 years.

We stayed at Willora for an hour or so, and then set up again at Barrow Creek for the rest of the day. I wandered down to the old telegraph station and had a look around. The station itself was closed, but Liz and I had a look around the buildings, which were built in 1872.

When we had packed up we went into the Hotel for a drink before going back outside to cook dinner as the sun was setting – just beautiful!

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Local and international visitors
Day 37: Ti Tree to Barrow Creek

We arrived at Ti Tree School early and were set up before the buses that brought the kids in from the surrounding areas arrived, so we had some time to have a look at the wonderful mural on the front wall of the school, showing all kinds of different activities at the school – including music, sport, cultural education. Once breakfast and roll call had finished the first class group –the junior primary students – began to arrive.

We talked about Dutton and Aunger’s journey and had a look at the photographs. The primary students used the mystery bags we brought with us to find out more about the journey and the older students also had a chance to have look at the exhibition – all up there were about 65 students from students from Ti Tree and the surrounding area that we met.

We then packed up and moved on to Barrow Creek, where we set up in front of the Hotel. Barrow Creek was one of the telegraph stations that Dutton and Aunger visited 100 years ago. It was a fairly quiet afternoon, but we did meet people from around the world, including a family on holiday from the Middle East and three young women from Canada who were travelling between Darwin and Adelaide, who enjoyed seeing an exhibition about the first journey along the same route.

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Posted by: Dorcas Aunger
Date: Friday, August 08, 2008 4:49:38 AM

I just wanted to let you know that you have another international visitor who has been following the comments in your blog with great interest. I just wish I could come along with you.

Dorcas Aunger
Arcadia, California, USA
Third cousin, 2 removed from Murray

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On the road again
Day 36: Alice Springs to Ti Tree

Leaving Alice Springs this morning, we were back on the road – Russ and Liz in front towing the trailer and Kym and I behind in the troop carrier. If anyone is passing us, we are tuned into channel 26, if you want to say hello – or you might be lucky enough to overhear one of our karaoke numbers.

Heading north from Alice Springs we passed over the Tropic of Capricorn, but I have to say, the terrain wasn’t looking very ‘tropical’ yet – still very much in the desert. We also passed the marker telling us that we were at the highest point on the road between Adelaide and Darwin – but at only 700 or so metres, we weren’t troubled by altitude sickness.

We arrived in Ti Tree at about 10, and began to set up the exhibition. It was a busy day with visitors, and we had the satellite set up as well, so we were able to keep in touch with people in the office and on email. We met a group of blokes on motorcycles also travelling between Adelaide and Darwin, but they are planning to finish the journey on only 6 days.

We packed up around 4.45 and in the evening Kym cooked us all a tasty, healthy veggie stir fry.

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Return to the Centre
Day 35: Alice Springs

Kym and I left an Adelaide winter morning and landed two hours later in the warmth of the Alice Springs sunshine. Definitely tee-shirt weather!

Russ and Liz were there at the airport to collect us, and we went straight to the National Road Transport Hall of Fame to meet Catherine and Monica from Imparja Television who were doing a story about the exhibition – watch out for it Friday at 6 pm, either this week or next. They interviewed Kym and me, and then filmed the car and the exhibition from all sorts of different angles. It’s quite a complicated business – all up it took about 2 hours to make what will probably only be about 8 minutes of TV.

We then went and did a whole lot of grocery shopping – trying to encourage ourselves to eat healthily for the next couple of weeks! Then back to the Hall of Fame to pack up the exhibition in preparation for leaving tomorrow on our journey to Darwin.

 

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Not very Dutton and Aunger
Day 30 - 34: Alice Springs

Unlike Dutton and Aunger, we have had a break – 474 has been in the National Road Transport Hall of Fame, while we have returned home to our families and our own beds for a few nights.

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Farewell for a few days
Day 29: Alice Springs and home

This morning Kym and I got up early and made our way to the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs, which will be home to the Talbot for the next week.

We set up the exhibition and the display cases in the Kenworth Dealers Pavilion, and then Russ and Liz drove us to the airport.

It seems very strange to be writing today’s entry from my study, rather than in some hotel room, but there’s nothing better than working with a cat on your lap!

This will be the last entry until Kym and I return to Alice Springs on Sunday, but please keep in touch with us! And don’t forget to check in for more updates between Alice Springs and Darwin.

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Revving up Alice Springs
Day 28: Alice Springs

Today was the day of the Shannon’s Motoring Extravaganza at the Alice Springs Show Ground. The Talbot held centre stage, with around about 250 other vehicles on display in two display halls and on the oval adjacent. The day kicked off at 9, when the crowds started to stream in, and there was a steady flow of people until 4 pm when gates closed – more than 3000 people all up!

The Talbot was the oldest vehicle on display, but there were some impressive late model vehicles on display as well as the historics. Right next to us there were a couple of MAC trucks with some impressive paintwork – the Talbot looked very small beside them!

There was also a demonstration by the Northern Territory Emergency Services team, showing how they free passengers trapped following an accident. Radio 8AH broadcast live for the morning, and there were some great food stalls, as well (my favourite was the strawberry pancakes!)

Our sponsors, Russ and Liz Driver from Outback Vehicle Recovery won the sponsors award for their sterling effort supporting the exhibition tour, and the Talbot itself won its Overlander Badge from the Motor Enthusiasts Club of Central Australia.

 

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On Parade in Alice
Day 27: Alice Springs

Well, today was the day: the second of our scheduled runs on the tour. It was a chilly morning in Alice Springs – only 1 degree when we went for a morning walk. We took the Talbot to the Alice Springs show grounds at around 8.30am and rolled it off the trailer. It was such a cold morning, the old Talbot was a bit reluctant to start, but a short tow behind the 4WD and it sprang to life.

This morning was also an opportunity for three descendants of Ernest Allchurch, the Telegraph Operator from Alice Springs who joined Dutton and Aunger on the journey from Alice Springs to Darwin, to have a photograph with the car.

The Talbot led a parade of about 100 historic vehicles through Alice Springs and back to the show grounds. We then put it back into the trailer in preparation for the display tomorrow.

We were all packed up before lunchtime, which meant that Kym and I could go and explore some of the sites around Alice Springs. We set off along the Ross Highway, visiting Emily Gap, Jesse Gap, Corroboree Rock, and meeting Wannabe the Donkey at Ross River Resort.

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Driving into Alice
Day 26: Kulgera to Alice Springs

We set up this morning at the Kulgera Roadhouse, about 20 km north of the SA/NT border and 270 km south of Alice Springs. The staff there were terrific, making sure that everyone who stopped for fuel or supplies came to have a look. Walking around Kulgera, we discovered that there is not much more in Kulgera than the roadhouse, but with such an enthusiastic bunch of people, who could want more, anyway?

We packed up the exhibition at lunchtime and set off towards Alice Springs. Tomorrow is the grand parade through the streets of Alice Springs, so we unloaded the Talbot about 5 km south of the National Road Transport Hall of Fame to give it a run before the big day. There was a small crowd that had gathered at the Hall of Fame to greet us, and it was with a sense of jubilation that we drove into the grounds.

Russ and Liz then did a wonderful job cleaning off the trailer in preparation for the evening reception, while Kym and I had a quick shower in preparation for the event. And what an event it was! About 100 guests were formally welcomed by the Mayor of Alice Springs, and then treated to a wonderful meal cooked in their camp kitchen before country music band Bulldust hit the stage.

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Three-legged victory
Day 25: Marla to Kulgera via Mintabie and Indulkana

The clear sky overnight meant a cold morning, for our early start as we left for Mintabie, a small opal mining town 33km off the main highway near Marla. The students at the school greeted us in 1908 style, with many in period costume, and everyone ready for a morning of old style fun.

The students had made a number of sideshow style games, and with every player winning a prize, there was no limit to the fun. The Tech Studies teacher had even made a model of the Talbot. Next up were the games: egg and spoon, three-legged race (which I am proud to say Kym and I won decisively – although I’m sure Ms Hartnett will dispute that!), wheel-barrow race (from which I am still picking out prickles from my hands) and a sack race. After recess, I went and chatted with the students about Dutton and Aunger’s journey and answered their questions before we had to move on to Indulkana.

The school at Indulkana is an Aboriginal school 8 km off the highway on the Pitjantjatjara Lands. We spoke to all 6 classes about the journey that the Talbot had undertaken 100 years ago, and as one teacher commented, the students had seen plenty of old cars on the Lands, but never one this old.

We then continued our journey north, crossing the boarder from SA to NT on our way to Kulgera.

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Last full day in SA
Day 24: Oodnadatta to Marla

I finally managed to go for a bit of a walk around Oodnadatta this morning. It is bigger than I had thought from the main street, and the views across the plains were lovely first thing in the morning.

We visited the Oodnadatta Aboriginal School this morning, where we met a great bunch of students and teachers. We had a look at the car all together, and talked about Dutton and Aunger’s journey, and then we did a couple of activities - the secondary students wrote short newspaper articles about the Talbot’s arrival in Oodnadatta 100 years ago, while the Primary students drew pictures of their imagined cars of the future. Unfortunately we couldn’t get all the pictures onto the blog, but I have included a few examples.

We then packed up the trailer for our final leg of travel on the dirt road before we joined the highway – 250 km from Oodnadatta to Marla. This section of the exhibition tour is where we differ from Dutton and Aunger’s original journey. They went straight from Oodnadatta to Alice Springs through Finke, but that road can be so bad, and the Talbot is now so old and precious that we decided to join the main road rather than risk damaging the car along the dirt any further. It also means that we get to meet many more people along the way.

The last part of the track was in pretty rough condition, so we took a bit longer than we planned to get to Marla, but we were set up by 3.30, and met a number of travellers and locals before packing up as the sun was setting.

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We’re really in the outback!
Day 23: Oodnadatta

We set up this morning near the legendary Pink Roadhouse in Oodnadatta, run by Adam and Lynnie Plate. Adam and Lynnie were travelling around the country in the mid-1970s. They stopped at Oodnadatta and have stayed ever since. As well as running the roadhouse, postoffice, service station and caravan park, they also provide invaluable information to tourists who are travelling along the Oodnadatta Track. I can’t imagine that there are many people around who know more about the track, so if you are heading this way, give them a call – they will advise you about track conditions and appropriate tyre pressures.

We met lots of locals and tourists throughout the day, including Ian and Annmarie, who are cycling along the track on a tandem bicycle. They live on the Gold Coast, and have so far made it down the east coast, around SA and are now on their way through the centre. Annmarie tells me that her motivation is all the food they can eat while they are cycling – as much chocolate as she wants!

While it is fairly cool here at the moment, we know that in summer temperatures can soar. Just imagine what Dutton and Aunger would have been thinking on their first attempt to cross the country, arriving in Oodnadatta at the height of summer! The desert stretching out around them for miles, but it was reasonably flat, hard ground, so I guess they were pleased about that. From Oodnadatta, though, they had the Depot Sandhills between them and Alice Springs – the slowest and most difficult terrain they encountered.

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Long, dusty track
Day 22: Marree to Oodnadatta

Today was the first day of the school term for most schools in SA. We visited Marree Aboriginal School this morning, but it seems that most of their 26 students were still away. However, we did meet four students who took the opportunity to learn a bit more about the Talbot: a big hello to Michelle, Kellyann, Hakeem, Brandon, Mrs Boyce, Miss Boumelha, Mrs Gates and Mrs Litchfield.

As soon as we had packed up the exhibition, we hit the road – today was our longest day of driving: 400km along the Oodnadatta Track. We knew it was going to be slow going, but the track was pretty rough in places, so we kept the speed to snail’s pace to protect our precious cargo, and finally made it into Oodnadatta about 7.30, with a brief stop to check out the view from the Lake Eyre South Lookout.

Lastly I would like to say a quick hello to Keith Holt and all the kids in Room 16 at Para Vista Primary. Thanks for following the journey and I hope you are enjoying the Blog!

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Marvellous Marree
Day 21: Marree

Marree was still windy today, but at least the dust had settled, so we were able to open up the trailer.

We set up at 7.15 this morning outside the caravan park for the cyclists we had met yesterday. Blakeley and his party had crossed paths with Dutton and Aunger a couple of times, so we wanted to give them a chance to have a look before they all departed for William Creek.

We then treated ourselves to a cooked breakfast (anyone notice a pattern here??) before we set up on the main road for the day. Irene did a wonderful job of rounding up the locals to come and say hello, and we also had lots of visitors from around the country.

Marree, we discovered, is not only a town with a rich history of Muslim cameleers, Indigenous history and culture and the stories of the white people who have made this their home over many years, but it is also home to the MCG.

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Happy Birthday Russ!
Day 20: Leigh Creek to Marree

The most important thing to do today was to celebrate Russ’s birthday. He assures us that he turned 17 today, but I suspect that he may be a smidge older. We left Leigh Creek early this morning on our way to Marree. We know we’re really in the outback now, because we have left the bitumen.

We travelled reasonably slowly over the dirt but still managed to pass a number of cyclists on the way. No doubt they all cursed us as they pedalled on through the dust we left in our wake, but they all gave a friendly wave. This group of intrepid travellers in re-creating another significant journey that took place in 1908 – a bicycle ride from Broken Hill to Darwin undertaken by Fred Blakeley, who was heading north to find work.

Unfortunately for the cyclists the wind began to pick up, and by the time we arrived in Marree at about 11 there was a fierce north wind blowing, carrying dust and blowing against the cyclists, many of whom opted to abandon their bicycles for the assistance of a 4-WD to bring them into town, and who could blame them? The wind was so strong we decided that unless we wanted the Talbot sandblasted, we’d be unwise to set up the exhibition. We settled into our accommodation and then went back to reassess the situation, but still the wind blew, so we went to the pub for some lunch – but still the wind blew – and it is still blowing a gale now, at 5 pm.

Doesn’t seem to matter where we go, though, we are meeting people who have a particular connection to Dutton and Aunger’s journey – the publican’s aunt is Murray Aunger’s granddaughter!

Hopefully tomorrow the wind will die down and we can have a chance to show off our story to the people of Marree.

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Posted by: Dianne Whittle
Date: Monday, July 21, 2008 5:57:30 PM

Hi guys, great to read your reports of all the adventures, and that all is going well. Best wishes for the remainder for the trip.
Cheers from all at Artlab Australia.

Posted by: Allison Russell
Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:54:10 AM

Hello to everyone at Artlab. Thanks for your message.
We have now done the worst of the track – you’ll be pleased to know that we kept a very sedate pace owing to the rough track. The Talbot PJs are working a treat keeping the dust off on the dirt roads!
Cheers
Allison

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Exploration in Leigh Creek
Day 19: Leigh Creek

We set up again this morning in Leigh Creek – a glorious sunny day. It was a quieter day as far as visitors went – only about 85 people, but its quality, not quantity that matters! It is nice to have a chance to have a chat to people about the exhibition and about what has brought them to Leigh Creek, either to live or to visit.

John and Jan were amongst our earliest visitors. John’s family used to farm some of the land that was originally part of Anlaby Station, so they felt a special connection to the exhibition. They are finishing off an 8-week journey of their own, but they discovered a large pothole on the Birdsville Track that damaged their car, so they are spending a few days around the Leigh Creek area while they wait for the repairs. Jan gave me their business card which told me they are professional volunteers. What a great occupation! They coordinate care for their local church, John assists low-income earners with their tax returns and Jan, a former mid-wife, does some administrative work in a hospital. Sounds to me like there will be plenty of people pleased to see them home again soon.

The quieter day also gave us a chance to explore around Leigh Creek a little. I had visited the town in the mid-1980s on my school geology excursion, and my impression then was that it seemed to sit fairly uncomfortably in its landscape, but wandering around today, I think it has probably developed to fit the town planners dream. My favourite aspect is the water-wise landscaping everywhere.

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Travellers from around the country
Day 18: Leigh Creek

It was a chilly night, so we decided to start the day with a big cooked breakfast (we don’t really need much of an excuse!). It was a bit overcast this morning and not a lot of people around, but we met a tour group from Western Victoria who had travelled to some exotic sounding places on their coach tour. They were sounding disappointed that they were on the last leg of their journey home. We also met Lorraine and Stan from Glenorchy in Tasmania. Lorraine was complaining about the cold in the morning, but I reckon she should be used to worse at home.

I also had an interesting chat with a gentleman who filled me in on some local history: the town of Leigh Creek is, he told me, the third town to bear the name. Apparently Copley (about 5 km north) was originally known as Leigh Creek (the creek flows through the town). Then there was a town built when the coal mine first opened, also known as Leigh Creek, but as the coal fields expanded the town was moved to its current site.

I also took the opportunity to visit First Light Gallery, run by photographer Pam Inverarity. We met her and her son Declan yesterday when they came to visit. Pam has some truly beautiful images for sale.

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I’m back on the track
Day 17: Parachilna to Leigh Creek

I had an early start to the day and a drive to Parachilna to rejoin the team. What a glorious drive through the majestic Flinders Ranges! Sue seemed disappointed to be heading for home again – she’d had a fabulous time meeting the locals from Parachilna as well as the people passing through to sample some of the legendary Prairie Hotel fare. Jane had been a wonderful host for the three days there.

We packed up just before lunchtime and hit the road again, bound for Leigh Creek. Leigh Creek is the town that services the coal mining operation a short distance away.

We received a warm welcome from Sharon and her team at the Visitor Information Centre and Open Cut Café, and set up the exhibition in the carpark outside. We were visited by a number of the locals, including quite a few school students on holidays. We handed out a number of Talbot model packs, and discovered when we got back to the caravan park that some of the people we had given them to had already finished them. Good work guys!

Russ, Liz, Kym and I then had a leisurely dinner around a campfire before an early night.

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And another day passes
Day 16: Parachilna

This is our last day setup in Parachilna before we set off for Leigh Creek at lunch time on the 16th. It was a beautiful winter’s day with the sun shining, however the visitor numbers were a little down today so Russ and Liz decided to go on a joy flight over the Flinders Ranges.

We did learn some interesting information today about some unusual cacoons we had noticed in the gum trees near us. They are the cacoons of an insect known commonly as the Procession Caterpillar. These Caterpillars are grey and hairy with a brown head. They are famous for walking in processions. Their hairs (and those on the adult moths) can cause skin rash in sensitive people. The rash can last for months, and can easily become infected.

Just as we were closing up for the day a tour group heading for Copley had heard we were here and they were more than grateful that we stayed open for them for have a quick look.

Tomorrow is also out last staff changeover with Allison rejoining the group and Sue returning to Birdwood. I think she may try and bribe Allison so she can stay a bit longer.

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The coal train
Day 15: Parachilna

We met some travellers in the Prairie Hotel on Sunday night who were interested in looking at the Talbot so we setup at 9.00am on Monday to show them the exhibition. This also attracted a number of other visitors who arrived early in Parachilna.

It is also interesting meeting people on their own journey. One such couple were Robin and Linda, two travellers from the UK, here for twelve months busy exploring Australia in their mobile home. They will be returning home shortly for their daughter’s wedding for six weeks then they will return to Australia to continue their journey. They have promised to visit us at the National Motor Museum.

Another family have visited us twice, in Hawker as well as Parachilna. They live on a station approximately 30 km away and travel every weekend to Orroroo to play football and netball.

One of the highlights was seeing the coal train heading back to Leigh Creek for another load of coal for the power station in Pt Augusta. We managed to count 168 carriages and the train took over 2 minutes to pass. The train is an attraction for the whole town as everyone rushes out of the pub to see it.

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Posted by: Moolooloo
Date: Monday, July 14, 2008 8:04:51 PM
Hello there,
We called in and saw you at Parachilna today! Your exhibition is fantastic. The kids are still trying to put their Talbot's together...so a big thankyou, it's always good to have something to keep them busy in the holidays! I have written a bit about you on our blog thought you might like to see: http://www.nuccaleenacottage.com.au/blog/
Goodluck with the rest of your journey!
Cheers,
The Slades at Moolooloo Station.

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A feral feast!
Day 14: Hawker to Parachilna

After 4 days in Hawker it was finally time to move on to our next stop in Parachilna which is a very small town 488 kms north of Adelaide. After visits from a few early morning travellers we packed up the exhibition and said farewell to our hosts at the Mobil servicestation in Hawker - John and Janet Teague.

The tiny town of Parachilna (don't blink or you'll miss it) is the gateway to the northern Flinders Ranges. The town itself is in reality little more than the pub, but what a pub it is!

The Prairie Hotel boasts outback friendliness with a good dose of city style, together with good food, comfortable accommodation and wide open vistas of the Flinders Ranges.

But the most outstanding feature of the Prairie Hotel has to be the dining room menu and in particular the amazing 'feral feast' on offer. Camel mettwurst and camel sausage; goat and goat cheese and feral pork form a feral platter available as an antipasto or main meal. Kangaroo and emu, although not feral, are also on the menu, with smoked roo, roo fillet and emu pâté on offer. With a menu like this we decided that we had to sample the fare at the Prairie Hotel and we were not disappointed. The food was sensational.

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Rejoining the journey
Day 13: Hawker

The day started wet when Sue and I left Birdwood to change over with Matt and Pauline in Hawker. We arrived around 12:30 pm with a ute load of new stock and to see the crew rugged up against the cool wind blowing from the west.

After we repacked the trailer with our new stores we had the usual handover and swapped stories before we settled in to finish the afternoon with the display. After hearing how busy it had been over the last few days we were disappointed that we did not have as many visitors. Whilst we were not run off our feet there was a steady stream of off road vehicles passing through coated in the telltale signs of off road adventure. The visitors we did have were more than enthusiastic about the exhibition and kept us busy with their questions.

Later I had a little wander around town and managed to spot a few potential future donations to the National Motor Museum, although they did look like they need a bit of work!

Tomorrow will be our last day in Hawker before we move to Parachilna about lunch time. We would like to thank John and the staff at the Mobil service station which has been our base here over the past 4 days, they have certainly made us feel welcome and we would like to pass our thanks onto them.

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Clear skys at last
Day 12: Hawker

We were greeted this morning with a clear blue sky and bright sunshine which lasted throughout the day – a very welcome change.

It has been wonderful talking to the many visitors to our display, and the children in particular, who marvel at the type of car the Talbot is and how it made that journey in 1908. They are thrilled to receive a pack containing material to make a Talbot look-a-like car from cardboard – a great school holiday activity.

We were surprised to see the remains of the helicopter which crashed at Wilpena Pound on Wednesday being trailered through Hawker. It was the talk of the town for awhile but the focus soon returned to the Talbot display.

It was mine and Matthews last evening with the tour and we celebrated with a BBQ back at the Hawker Caravan Park and reflected on the highlights of the trip so far as we watched the sun set over Hawker. We are sad our journey is coming to a close and wish the rest of the team a safe and adventurous time through to Darwin.

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A tale from the last crossing
Day 11: Hawker

Today we have remained static, basing ourselves at the Hawker service station run by Mr John Teague. John is a man who believes in old fashioned service and the early morning rush hour finds him out the front directing travellers in to vacant pumps, filling tanks and washing headlights and windscreens; where did this type of service disappear to in the large cities?

Early morning seems to bring crowds of the traveller’s heading south, eager to get back to civilisation; the mid afternoon brings those travelling north generally at a more leisurely pace.

The garage has been inundated with an ever changing parade of four wheel drive vehicles, mostly covered in mud after coming south from the Wilpena area. Despite all the advances in modern motor cars the terrain still appears to take its toll. One family who came by were awaiting the arrival of the bus to Port Augusta, sans four wheel drive. It having already taken a ride on the back of tow truck as the result of an outback encounter with a pot hole which left the vehicle with a busted a steering arm.

The technology may have improved but the terrain certainly hasn't! Fortunately unlike 100 years ago help is only a phone call away.

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Posted by: Gordon Hazel
Date: Friday, July 18, 2008 3:58:06 PM

I had a ride on the talbot when visiting John and Peggy Dutton who were still at Anlaby in the 60's. they were great friends of my Father and Mother. I would have been about 6 or seven. John took both mother and father, I sat up on the box behind the seat, I remember asking about all the brass mounted sight glasses on the dash, John told me they were for the manual lubrication of the engine. We did a short run out somewhere on the station then back to the stables where it was being kept at the time.
John and Jimmy Gosse talked of doing a rerun of the trip if they got out of the war alive. The Talbot had been parked up for years after it had done the mail run to Analaby from Kapunda for years.
Mum and dad saw them off when John, his brother Jeff and Jimmy Gosse did a rerun of the original trip in the 1950s.
Regards
Gordon Hazel

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A tale from the last crossing
Day 10: Orroroo to Hawker

There was so much enthusiasm in Orroroo this morning for the Talbot display that we ran slightly behind schedule in leaving for Hawker. The wind chill factor continues to be a challenge at the moment, and a must stop in Orroroo is Maggie’s Rendezvous for a great coffee. Before heading off we took a slight detour to check out the “Big Tree” – a red gum over 10m in girth.

What a fantastic landscape we travelled through on our way to Hawker. We could only wonder at what Dutton and Aunger may have thought on that original journey. We were warmly welcomed at the Mobil Service Station by John, where we set up early in the afternoon. Immediately we created interest for both locals and tourists in the area.

One local businessman, Mick Prior (a former farmer from Hamilton, outside Kapunda) shared memories of the 1959 Talbot journey by Dutton’s sons. Apparently at some stage of the trip a spring needed to be replaced and a pram spring was the only available part.

We look forward to spending the next 4 days in Hawker, meeting the locals and sharing more stories about this great adventure.

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A lesson in old technology
Day 9: Orroroo

Today we have been visited by many of the residents of Orroroo as they carry out their daily activities. We have also met a number of people from interstate who are traveling in the region.

Orroroo, which acts as a pastoral supply town also acts as a retirement centre for many elder outback residents: people with interesting memories and stories to tell. One gentleman came along with some photographs to show us of various outback events he had participated in. What struck me was the colour photographs of his day’s cattle droving in the outback, and how the horse was still such an important feature.

Despite Dutton and Aunger’s jourey 100 years ago, this gentleman continued using a horse for his daily work. Although motor cars have had significant impact on outback communities, some jobs – such as droving – the ‘old’ technology of the horse remained infinitely more practical than the car.

 

 

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Weather report
Day 8: Peterborough to Orroroo

We have it on good authority that it came mighty close to snowing just outside Peterborough this morning!

The weather meant that we were not able to set up the exhibition as planned, but we had a very tasty cooked breakfast instead! Never-the-less, local resident Eric tracked us down to show us a couple of glass plate photographs he had of a car with the number plate 484 – 10 registrations later than the Talbot. The car belonged to the Clapp family of Yukulta.

We farewelled Peterborough, and made our way on to Orroroo.

We set up in Orroroo outside the Council offices, and a few brave souls came out to see us in the wind and drizzle, but soon we were in quite heavy rain, and unfortunately we had to pack up the display earlier than we expected to (not that we are complaining about rain in this drought-affected country). But we will be set up again in the same spot tomorrow and on Wednesday morning. Apparently there is still rain on the way, but we’ll be there!

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Markets in Peterborough
Day 7: Peterborough

We set up again on Don Ferguson Drive in Peterborough this morning, and as well as an impressive array of historic vehicles with us, we were joined by a number of market stalls (including hot donuts, Kym!) Local resident Bruce had made an impressive wooden model of the Talbot which was raffled. There was also a ‘guess the number of jelly beans in the jar’ competition. Clearly I didn’t win. Can anyone tell me how many jellybeans there were?

During the morning, I had the privilege of a tour around Peterborough with Norm, who was kind enough to take me and show me the house that my Grandfather and his family lived in when he was the Deputy Principal of Peterborough Primary School.

There were significant rains across South Australia today, and Peterborough didn’t miss out. The rain and the wind meant that we needed to pack up the display a bit early, but I think that most people had already had a chance to have a look at it. In times of drought we never want to complain about rain – hopefully it was useful to local farmers.

 

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Posted by: Mary Martin
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2008 7:13:37 PM
Hi Allison,
Just thought I would let you know “How many Jelly Beans?” 307! Harry Need (local) was the closest guess with 302.Just to remind your group of their guesses – Allison – 474, Adrianne – 350, Matt – 248, Bob – 254, Rosa – 325, Kay – 189. If I have added some names you don’t recognise, I took them from the list where your name was then added the names after that I was not familiar with.
The ‘games’ on Sunday were also a bit of fun with ‘Step the Distance’ won by Ray Solly @ 44’ and Joan O’Donohue @ 42’ 71/2”. The Distance was 43’ 6”. ’Hammer the Nail’ won by Greg Need with 1 stroke of the hammer, and ‘Rolling Pin throw’ won by Elaine Wyrill and Rosalie Markey with 1 out of 3 in the tyre each.
Margaret Ball won the Miniature Talbot raffle.
Your visit provided a great weekend for Peterborough, and it was great to see so many people come from so many towns etc near and far. Wishing you all the very best for the rest of your journey. Hope the cold is not biting too keenly!
Regards
Mary Martin.

Posted by: Ian
Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 4:19:01 PM

Well Allison - In answering the question of how many jellybeans in the jar - there were 307
As for the visit of the Talbot and it’s motley crew, Peterborough says a big ‘Thank you’. What a wonderful opportunity it was to see such an amazing piece of our history, made even more special by the number of old vehicles that made the cold trip to mark the occasion
Thank you to all who contributed in so many ways
Good luck on the rest of your journey and to anyone who may read this - do not miss the chance to witness this historic event!!
Ian Satterley

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Farewell Burra – Hello Peterborough
Day 6: Burra to Peterborough

We set up again this morning in Burra, and finally managed to make it into the National Trust Old Fashioned Lolly Shop. Saturday morning visitors were offered a special deal – lolly with your look.

After such a warm and enthusiastic crowd in Burra, we were sad to farewell our new found friends, but Peterborough was calling!

We left Burra about 12.30. We were greeted at 1.30 by an enthusiastic group of about a dozen historic motor vehicles at the edge of Peterborough and escorted into town, where we were met by about 100 people keen to be amongst the first to see the old Talbot.

This evening there was a ‘Welcome Talbot dinner’ at the Peterborough Town Hall. Almost 100 people shared a wonderful three-course dinner. The Mayor proposed a toast to the Talbot, I gave a short presentation about the car and its history, and then the real fun began – music, dancing and games. We snuck off about 10, but it looked like the dancing was just getting started!

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Motor Australia project gets under way
Day 5: Burra

At last night’s History Group talk we told people about the Motor Australia project, in which we are trying to gather other stories of motoring in regional and remote Australia. A number of people who were at the talk were kind enough to bring along their albums and snaps for us to scan, so we have started to gather some material. We will try to get some samples up on the website in a few weeks, and get the whole lot onto the website when we get back.

It was the last day of school term, and we set up at the Burra Community School bright and early (it was before the sun was up!) ABC Local Radio was doing an outside broadcast from the school, and a number of locals brought historic cars along as well, so there was a lot for everyone to see and do. We were most impressed by the class who had made scones from Murray Aunger’s scone recipe – they were delicious! (The recipe is on the website – have a look in the education activities).

We packed up at the school around 11.45 and moved the display back into town, where we were again joined by a number of historic vehicles, and the people from the Men’s Shed held a BBQ.

 

 

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On the road again
Day 4: Eudunda, Robertstown and Burra

It was another early start for the team, but well worth it.

We left Kapunda early in the morning and arrived at Eudunda Area School and set up ready for the start of school. The primary students came to visit us class by class, and some of the secondary students came to explore the exhibition as well.

We packed up at recess time, and moved on to Robertstown Primary school. Hello to everyone in Mrs Schutz’s class, who have been doing some activities about the Talbot and its journey – they have done a great job preparing for us to visit, and wrote some wonderful poems about the Talbot. They had also created some great drawings inspired by Dorothea Mackellar’s poem My Country, which was published the same year as the Tabot’s journey – check out the pictures. (Sorry Cody and Edward – I couldn’t get the video to work.)

 

We arrived in Burra in time to set up at 2.30 outside the Council offices, and this evening we presented a talk to the enthusiastic history group in the town. We had a good sized crowd which included local historians and motor enthusiasts, who asked some thought provoking questions, and followed it up with a cup of tea and a great super.

Apparently it snowed in Burra when Dutton and Aunger were passing through in 1908 – we’d believe it!

 

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Posted by: Chris Adcock
Date: Saturday, July 05, 2008 2:24:48 PM
I wonder if the curator is intending having a print version of the blog.
Great blog site. Did the curator get her computer skills from her parents??
Chris

Posted by: Mavis and Dick
Date: Monday, July 07, 2008 9:18:31 AM
My husband and I love the outback and its stories and are travelling from Darwin to Adelaide
We hope to catch you at Daly Waters – just wondering if there is a fee to view the display and attend the talk?
Mavis and Dick
Batemans Bay

Posted by: Allison Russell

Thanks Mavis and Dick, it would be great to see you at Daly Waters. To see when and where we will be in each of the towns that we visit head to the touring exhibition page and click on the town you are interested in. The program for that town will open in a new window. Viewing the exhibition is free as for the public talk contact Robyne or Lindsay on 8975 9927 for more information.

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Talbot visits Kapunda schools
Day 3: Kapunda

We had a fairly early start this morning to make sure that we were all set up and ready to meet about 300 students at Kapunda Primary school. Russ from Outback Recovery did an amazing job backing the trailer and the truck into the school grounds so that we could set up beside a shelter shed, just in case there was more rain.

We were set up by the time that most people arrived for school, and met lots of the students before the bell rang. Between 9 and 12.40 we had 10 different class groups come and explore the exhibition and learn about Dutton and Aunger's amazing journey across the Australian continent. It was great to talk to students who were from Kapunda, so close to Harry Dutton's home, at Anlaby Station.

We then packed up and went down the road to the High School. Today was a special fundraising day, and students were out and about raising money for charity. It was great to see so many people coming over to have a look at the display, as well.

We will be sad to leave Kapunda tomorrow - we have had such a warm and generous welcome from everyone here, but we are looking forward to meeting people in all the towns we are going to be staying in along the way.

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Kapunda goes off!
Day 2: Kapunda

Despite the chill in the air this morning, about 100 historic motor vehicles gathered at the Anlaby turnoff for a parade through the centre of Kapunda at 11 am. Thanks to all the people who lined the streets, waving and cheering. We were led off by the Kapunda Museum's hearse, with the Talbot in its trailer a proud second, followed by a wonderful array of historic motor vehicles.

We assembled in Dutton Park, where we were fed by volunteers from the local Rotary Club and Kindergarten. Unfortunately the weather wasn't on our side, and there were a number of showers, but nothing would dampen the spirits of those of us gathered. More than 200 people came to have a look at the wonderful array of cars on display, and to see the Talbot in its glory, centre of the exhibition trailer.

This evening we explored two other aspects of history related to the exhibition themes - there was a screening of the film Back of Beyond (featuring the mailman of the outback - the REAL Tom Kruse) at the Kapunda Institute. Another example of difficult motoring! This was followed by the launch of a DVD called Memories of Anlaby by Kapunda local Joan Schutz, who lived with her family at Anlaby Station (Harry Dutton's family home) for more than 25 years. A wonderful collection of photographs and stories about one of South Australia's stately homes.
Day 2 - another success, thanks to the people in Kapunda.

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Launched!
Day 1: Adelaide to Anlaby (Kapunda)

Well, we’re finally on the road. 100 years to the day after the first transcontinental crossing began the touring exhibition celebrating the journey is also on the road! It was hailing in the City when Kym and I arrived. However, by the time 10.30 came around, Minister John Hill had launch the exhibition, the sun was actually shining and about 180 guests watched as the Talbot drove away from Torrens Parade Ground. Thanks to all the people who came along to see this historic event and a special thanks to those who brought their own pieces of motoring history.

Click the image below to view footage of the Talbot getting ready to go.

Click the image below to view footage of the Talbot driving off from the Torrens Parade Ground.

 

Once people had left the exhibition we packed everything up and headed off towards Anlaby Station, just outside Kapunda. Anlaby was Harry Dutton’s family home, and we thank our hosts Andrew and Peter Morphett for their warm welcome on a chilly day. Dutton and Aunger also spent their first night at Anlaby – no doubt the most comfortable night of their journey!

We enjoyed meeting members of the Dutton, Aunger and Allchurch families both at the launch this morning and at Anlaby, and thank them all for their enthusiasm for this project and for sharing their own family stories.

 

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On display!

Well, the Talbot and the exhibition panels are finally on public display! The car is currently on show at Torrens Parade Ground in Adelaide for a week before we leave for our first venue. Lots of people seem to be coming in to have a look, which is wonderful.

Monday 30 June is the big day that we depart, and the first of the three occasions on which we will be running the Talbot as part of the tour. Our mechanic, Immanuel Hansen has done a great job preparing the car for its journey, along with the team of conservators from Artlab who have been working with us to clean the vehicle and to help us make sure that there is no damage to the car whilst we are on tour. It has been a flurry of activity here at the National Motor Museum as we prepare for the launch and the tour. Thanks to all our staff and volunteers who have put in so much effort.

We’ve had some great media coverage and been doing lots of interviews for radio and TV – can’t believe we are almost ready to go!

A reminder to everyone that you can come down to the Torrens Parade Ground to see the car off on Monday 30 June at 10:30am sharp. I will post some pictures from the launch in my blog for that day.

There is a Visitors book available at the Torrens Parade Ground and we have had some lovely comments left from people who have come in to see the exhibition. Click on the image of the Visitors book below to read a sample of the comments left.

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Darwin-Alice Springs – 20 meetings in three days!

During the last week of April, Kym and I ventured North again in our effort to meet people in all of our venues and schools before the tour leaves late next month. Thanks to everyone who welcomed us so warmly. Winter has begun down here, so we really felt the tropical warmth when we touched down in Darwin.

We were very pleased to discover that we will, indeed, be able to fit the vehicle in through the doors of the Northern Territory Library. We were also delighted to make the acquaintance of Roy and Helen from MedSat Technologies in our motel carpark – they were trying out some new satellite technology, and we got to talking about the project and the technology that we would need – and they decided that they would like to join up as project partners. This means that we will be able to update the blog every day – even while we are travelling along the Oodnadatta Track where there is no mobile phone coverage.

Neither Kym nor I had driven from Darwin to Alice before, so it was wonderful to see the country in that part of the world – although I am looking forward to seeing it at a more leisurely pace next time!
We had the Talbot out on the track at the Museum again the other day, so hopefully all will be well for the three drives we are planning during the tour.
Not long now!

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Talbot goes to the Adelaide Motor Show

Kym and I are now finalising our plans for our trip from Darwin to Alice Springs to meet people on the northern leg of the journey, which will be taking place in the last week of April.

We had a chance to see how people would respond to the Talbot and Dutton and Aunger’s amazing story at the Adelaide Motorshow last week. Our display had pride of place in one of the main exhibition spaces. It certainly turned heads amongst the brand new cars that were its neighbours for the week!

It was a great demonstration of how far motoring and technology have come in 100 years, to see the Talbot sitting next to the Lexus ‘Intelligent Parking Assist’ demonstration (the Lexus really is ‘that car that parks itself).

So many people commented to us that the Talbot was the best car at the show – the most ‘real’. They also really enjoyed looking through the photographs of the original journey and imagining what that first crossing would have been like.

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Getting things started

Now that I have had my fill of Easter eggs and buns, it is time to get serious about the exhibition – the tour begins in only 3 months!

The first week of March was an exciting one for the project. Kym and I had a busy but rewarding time visiting venues and schools along the tour route between Adelaide and Alice Springs. In total, we met people in 13 different venues and 10 different schools. Thanks to everyone for making us feel so welcome.

It was amazing driving through the same countryside as Dutton and Aunger had done a hundred years ago, and thinking about what their journey must have been like without roads. We were fortunate enough to have had an air-conditioned 4-wheel drive – it is easy to understand why some sections of the road took them so long in their Talbot.

While the weather was hot for this trip, we are looking forward to some cooler conditions when we come back – and hopefully there will have been some rain, as well – the countryside was looking as dry as I have ever seen it up through the mid-north of SA.

We had some great meetings with people and it sounds like there are some big plans for us when we are in some towns – keep an eye on the itinerary section of the website and we will add events as they are confirmed.

This was such a successful trip that we are planning to do something similar between Alice Springs and Darwin next month.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone again soon.

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