Adventures in the South Australian Dawn

First light splits the sky.

The birds call.

I am rugged up after sleeping under the stars in a swag last night. A cool breeze hovers, touched with a hint of forthcoming heat.

In the shadow of the dawn, we roll swags by torch light. The rest of the campsite still slumbers. I take a slug of coffee from a thermos, trying to gather my senses.

We throw breakfast scraps into the bin bag, which is stashed in the trailer. Finally, we perch in our seats and the minibus door is drawn closed with a slam.

I love the eerie feeling of driving away from a campsite - what might the day bring?

Out bush in South Australia (Photo credit: Sonia Morell)

We are a band of restless travelers keen to see the country. After each adventure, we wind down with fellow explorers in camp chairs out the front of remote roadhouses, and in the communal kitchens of campgrounds. We sip drinks and swap stories. Life's too short, they all tell us. Life's too short not to do this. 

Now, as we depart, we leave behind those who have been friends for a moment.

Seeking adventure, the lure of the outback draws us across Australia, as dawn becomes morning and we see how far we've come.