We departed Dotty's in the green and scenic Strathalbyn and headed East to the Mallee Highway, just a stepping stone to our Custodianship in Euston. Within minutes we are on outback roads, departing South Australia across the Mallee. Every 30 or so kilometres there is an abandoned township. This area must have been thriving at the turn of the 20th century.
Tonight we are camped at Underbool. The town is deserted, not a soul in sight and as you walk along the main street with Rusti at heel, all that remains are plaques depicting that a building stood there at some stage. The pub is closed, the police station unattended and only one coffee shop in business.
At another township back down the road, it was the same story. Geranium had also been abandoned, just a skeleton population of the townsfolk where we had the privilege of joining in a game of bowls with the remaining locals and what a friendly bunch they were.
As we crossed the border from South Australia to Victoria, the road improved slightly and the outback scenery became drier. Eventually as dusk fell we were entertained by a huge dust storm, followed by a brief shower concluded by a magnificent sunset.
We only have 170 km to our destination at Euston but we have three days to get there. Our next stop is Manangatang.