OLD Andado Homestead is a great spot right on the very edge of the Simpson Desert, where you’ll find big dunes to the west and east.
Part 4: Old Andado Homestead
If you are heading to Central Australia from the south (or heading that way home), you can head to the remote Old Andado Homestead from Coober Pedy via Oodnadatta and the friendly M Dare Hotel, which is quite an adventure in itself.
Or, if you are already in Alice Springs you can do a great loop drive of a few days taking in the delights of the desert to the south-east of the 'big smoke'.
At Mt Dare and nearby delightful Dalhousie Springs (you'll need a permit to visit the latter) you start on the Binns Track as you head north.
From Mount Dare, the 105km route is easy enough to follow but sections can be deep in bulldust – this is remote country, so you need to be prepared. Once at Old Andado, throw down the swag or set up the camper.
There's a lot of history here dating back to the 1920s when the homestead was first built. But it is the story of the legendary and late 'Molly' Clark that the homestead is best known for.
And once you've been there, you will be enthralled by the story and the heritage of this unique place.
From the old homestead, you head north paralleling a great dune of the desert for quite some way; it's a memorable drive. It's over 300km to Alice Springs from here, passing the Aboriginal settlement of Santa Teresa; a community renowned for its dynamic artwork.
More info: www.mtdare.com.au; www.oldandado.com.au
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