A quick refuel at Leigh Creek then on to the famous Oodnadatta track. The Oodnadatta track makes its way from Maree to Marla on the Stuart a Highway. The path of the track is defined by the location of springs that come to the surface allowing life to cling to its edges.  Much like the aborigines of the past, the early Europeans also followed this life line in to the interior.  What I didn't realise was Oodnadatta gets its name from the Antikirinja Aboriginal word "utnadatta" meaning "blossom of the smelly mulga, gidgee".  I think because I have not washed for several days I did not notice the bad smell of the mulga (although someone tells me it needs to be wet so I am happy we have not seen rain). The track was in reasonably good condition now being a major short cut for travellers. For us however we will only be going as far as Oodnadatta then taking a less worn path to Finke.  But that is better left for a later story.

Having travelled as far as Maree in a previous trip we did not stop at places such as Farina so after leaving Maree we travelled for about an hour until camp beckoned.  With an interesting relic of the old ghan line next to our site we watched the sun light fade over the red rusty stanchions and the ink black night take over with its millions of twinkling stars.