I have used the word "iconic" a number of times in recent posts and I am now regreting that as I want to use it again, to describe our destination for today. The place is called Dalhousie Springs and it is well known in Australia for a number of different reasons, perhaps the most common being the complex of hot thermal pools that make it a little oasis in the desert but also because it is the western entrance to the 4wd track across the Simpson Desert to Birdsville, one of the most famous outback 4wd trails. As you can see from the photo of the sign that track was now (or recently) closed due to of all things flood waters coming down from northern Australia.

Dalhousie is about 170km from Oodnadatta and the route branches off from the Oodnadatta track not far north of Oodnadatta. There after the road is rough, sandy in places and rocky in other places. A bit of a challenge and a road that we found difficult to manage more than 30 mph. To add to the pleasure of the day, it was hot (100°F) and bush flies were in abundance.

The camping area at Dalhousie is now within a National Park and hence strictly controlled, with alloted camping spots only. In order to protect the environment those camping spots are in areas that can withstand the traffic of vehicles and people and as a result do not have many trees or much shade.

One of the many thermal springs in the area is a swimming hole complete with entrance/exit steps and a little platform. The water is quite hot (37°C/100°F or hotter). We spent a pleasant 30 minutes or so in the pool trying to get away from the flies, like all the other travelers that turned up while we were there.

In discussions with other travelers we heard that Dalhousie might be subject to lots of mosquitos once the sun set and that a nearby camp (10km away) called 3 O'clock was probably a better bet. So once our swim was done that's where we headed.

Three O'clock camp may or may not have had fewer mosquitos but it certainly did not have fewer flies. I had to send Nina into our insect proof rooftop tent earlier than usual to keep her sane.