Struan 1966 - Adm.monash.edu.au - Monash University

36College ToursCentral Australia CampingTOUR NO.1: MISS CRAIG, Mr. WITTMANTOUR NO.2: MISS GUPPY, MR. WHITEMonday, 29th August -Melbourne-MilduraLoaded w ith sleeping gear, suitcases and eatingut ensils, 33 girls, one lone boy and two lecturersboarded the new silver bus which was to carrythem 1500 miles into the vast interior. All wentwell until the arrival at "sunny" Mildura, wheretents were pitched, a campfire made and teacooked. Hard work but good fun.Tuesday, 30th -Mildura-Broken HillIt was up at dawn, find your clothes, roll upyour sleeping gear, wash the face, line up forbreakfast, line up for washing-up, load the bus ando ff ! That afternoon was spent on a conducted tourof the m ining areas around Broken Hill.Wednesday, 31st -Broken Hill-Lake HartWaved good-bye to civ il ization (and Mr. Mutimer)at Port Augusta (S.A .) and travelled north into saltbushcountry. Had our first "wilderness" campfire,w ith sing ing and storytelling - stockman-style.Thursday, 1st September -Lake Hart-Coober PedyPassed through Kingoonya, an outback towncons isting of a general store, an hotel and a policestation. Here there is a hiring fee of one dollarfor the key to the conveniences - how inconvenient!We had intended to travel well past CooberPedy, but a leak in the bus's petrol tank forced usto spend the afternoon there.Friday, 2nd -Coober Pedy-KulgaraFirst signs of the " Wog," a mysterious 24-hoursickness which struck nearly everyone in the bus .Saturday, 3rd -Kulgara-Alice SpringsArrived at the Heavitree Gap Caravan Park inti me for lunch and a bl issful exploration of themodern, clean shower block, with its hot waterand electric light. That evening was spent "out onthe town."Sunday, 4th - Free day in "Alice"Warm sunshine, blue, cloudless skies . Popularsctlvities were souveni r-hunting , swimming andhorse-riding.