Woomera

Woomera, South Australia

The route:

Well this is where we headed North traveling between Port Augusta to Woomera for about 181 kilometres driving along the Stuart Highway, then turning off the Highway and travelling along the Olympic Dam-Pima Road to Woomera (We have to return along this road and join the Stuart Highway again when I head of to Coober Pedy. I’ve made a mental note to check this road for suitability for towing a caravan (This is where Google earth comes into its own).

By all accounts this is a short distance into territory that is totally new to me.

I remember way back in my work life in the U.K. I worked on missiles for the British Aircraft Corporation and I understand, some of the missiles were destined for Woomera. The missile test area is still restricted to the general public however, an area has been opened up for travellers.

We booked ahead for this site (and a few others up to Tennant Creek,) as we didn’t fancy being stuck at the side of the desert with no where to go!

On arrival into Woomera, we decided there was little to keep us! and made the decision to have a quick look around then continue the drive to Coober Pedy which was approximately another 400 kilometres along the Stuart Highway

At least we could fill the petrol tank ($1.78/ltr.)

On our departure from Woomera, we had to wait at a railway crossing for a train to pass - No kidding, this train was about a kilometre long!!

One of a number of display areas in Woomera

Another display area

The Woomera History Museum

Inside the Woomera History Museum

Inside display in the Woomera History Museum

More rocket displays

Yes ....... a rocket

Woomera display of various rockets

This plaque is an aide for visitors to Woomera, depicting the area layout

Surrounding area:

The caravan park provided the following information about Woomera:

Woomera is in the 'outback' desert area of South Australia, approximately 488km north of Adelaide. An easement through the WPA allows public transit on the Trans-Australian Railway, The Ghan, and the Stuart Highway. Travellers are prohibited from leaving these routes. In 1982 restrictions on public access to Woomera township were left, allowing the town to develop as a tourist destination, while maintaining its support role for the WTR.

From Liz: It was freezing to-day - not what we expected in "the centre'. The landscape changed continually, but the little grey bushes were everywhere. I think there has been quite a bit of rain, so I feel it looked greener than I had imagined it would. Little patches of yellow flowers brightened some areas & a form of cassia just coming into bloom. The red earth is always dominant.

Wikipedia describes Woomera as follows:

Woomera's attractions include its historic aerospace site and the Woomera National Aerospace and Missile Park, located in the centre of town. It features missiles and rockets that were developed and tested at Woomera over the last 60 years, as well as a number of historic aircraft which were used in trials at Woomera. There is a visitors information and heritage interpretation centre as well as a museum which was formerly a recreation centre for USAF personnel and their families from Nurrungar. Other attractions include a movie theatre, a bowling alley, swimming centre, shops and stores, pubs and clubs. Woomera is also a haven for observing and understanding Australia's desert flora and fauna. The Woomera Marine Centre, which is located next to the Community Centre, offers an ironic attraction for the middle of a desert environment.