This desert is BIG - and empty

Different pockets of silicon hills had different colours

Pioneers' houses
at Andamooka

The sixth day (25 July 2010) got off to a great start when we drove around the Breakaways. Over a 50 km circuit it took us right through an area of intense opal mining. It then took us to the Breakaway National Park that has many places of indigenous importance. The lookout and mountains were unique in their unusual colouring. We then tackled the 300 klm hike down to Roxby Downs (Olympic Dam Mine). The vegetation is a little thicker here… perhaps the annual rainfall in more than 5 inches. We saw some emus on the way, and plenty of road kills kangaroos. Bird life was more prolific and the trees were much higher. As we drove into the area, we tried to notice anything in the landform that would distinguish this area to be the world’s largest uranium deposit, the 3^rd biggest gold mine and the 5^th largest copper mine… with lead and silver thrown in as well. I’m sure the geologists understand what makes this place unique… but on the surface, it looks no different. Makes you wonder how many other riches lie undiscovered beneath this “useless” arid desert. Late in the afternoon we made the last step in driving to Andamooka, another opal town. This area has yet to be corporatised. The place is a shambles of streets leading off in all directions and mine-holes popping up (or more accurately, popping down) at the least expected places. Its early history is a little better preserved with specimens of the original mining huts still standing near the centre of town. 

No life in the Breakaway Desert

Emus lived closer to Adelaide. This one had 5 chicks.