Crocodile Harry's

Once back in Coober Pedy and safely on a sealed road, we naturally opted for another short adventure. This time we headed off to Crocodile Harry's place.



This is a lesson in how legends grow. It seems that a fellow named Harry who had spent some time wrangling crocodiles for their skins got tired of the life and came to Coober Pedy to make his fortune mining opal. We're told this is the real person on whom the character Crocodile Dundee was based. That may be as much of a legend as the original Harry seems to be.

Harry lived, apparently, in a cave excavated in a hill not far from town until his death in 2006. Although his place has clearly met with extensive embellishment (as you will see) since his demise, it is difficult in place to tell what is Harry's work and what came later. It's that legend thing, you see.

Outside his door is this partial skeleton of a crocodile. This is probably Harry's work.

I really cannot say what this thing is or is supposed to be, but based on the croc remains, I'm guessing it is Harry's work.

Inside, it is another story. Lots of what we see here are tourist remains and graffiti that no doubt came after Harry departed. Including a nice selection of women's underwear recalling fictitious (?) "good times" with Harry. He apparently was a real lady killer and racked up quite a list of conquests. Or so the legend would have you believe.

While I can tell that this "horny" guy on the horse is probably Harry's work, I can make no other speculations on it's purpose.

Out beyond Harry's place, we could drive along one edge of the so-called Painted Desert. The road through this area remained closed the entire time were in Coober Pedy, so this as close as we got. This is a section of Oodnadatta Road nearby that was open.

In the distance we could see the multicolored hills that this section of desert is famous for.

And with a little HDR magic and a 500mm lens, I was able to construct an image of the hills that give a flavor of what is to be found there.

With the roads closed and the threat of significant fines for driving on them while closed (and our fear of getting stuck), this is as close as we got to this area. Enjoy.

Note: Just to the right and above the rightmost of the three hills is a small speck on the image. This is a Wedge Tailed Eagle soaring for an afternoon snack.