Let’s go: A Road Trip to Arkaroola
Thelma and Louise style.
A few weeks ago, after interviewing Catherine Cassidy and hearing her describe Arkaroola—and how much she wanted to get back there—I blurted out, “Let’s go.” I’d never been, and who doesn’t love a road trip to outback Australia? Within 24 hours, our accommodation was booked, and we had a couple of weeks to get ourselves organised.
I don’t know about you, but when something is a hell yes, I immediately slip into ‘crazy woman’ planning mode. Only after the high of finalising our itinerary settled did my nervous system kick in—and all my fears surfaced. What if I get a flat tyre? Hit a kangaroo? Meet a serial killer? What if I misjudge how much time I have to overtake a road train? What if there are floods or bushfires?
What the actual fuck was I thinking? I’d never driven more than three hours at a time.
Eventually, I calmed down. It was clear: time to put on my big girl pants.
Two weeks of painting in the outback with Catherine? Definitely worth it.
What I love most about a road trip to the outback is the vastness—the endless dirt roads and the wide open sky. There’s a powerful sense of freedom, a chance to follow your curiosity and awaken your senses. This country really puts on a show.
Arkaroola lies in the far north of the Flinders Ranges, 600km from Adelaide. You travel through time traversing rugged mountains, spectacular craggy granite peaks, folded hills dotted with low lying shrubs. The land is tough and unforgiving. Ravens cry their sad cries.
We stayed in a house just beyond a campsite and spent our mornings exploring and painting dry creek beds, springs, and gorges. The area has been drought stricken, so there’s no water. In this landscape, you’re nothing but a speck—keeping quiet company with birds, wallabies, and the odd emu. I welcomed the silence. I sat in awe, taking it all in, letting impressions filter through me. I have no desire to paint the exact scene before me—just to notice shapes, patterns, and colours, both micro and macro, and delight in the way everything in nature mimics itself, there’s landscapes within the landscape.
In the afternoons, we painted back at the house inside, quietly getting lost in the challenge of expressing the raw beauty we’d experienced. How do you convey the energy you feel in a place like this? I’m excited to experiment.
Evenings were slow and sweet: a glass of rosé, word games and chats about our favourite artists, galleries, and which art prizes might be worth entering. Most nights, we were in bed by 8pm—exhausted and excited for what the next day might bring.
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International. You’ll be privy to an astronomical spectacle of the night sky every night.
The trip was magical. I surprised myself with how calm I was as the designated driver, even off-road. Thankfully, the only mishap happened on our way out of Arkaroola: I shredded a tyre. We had to wait an hour for the first car to pass. Let’s just say there were some urgent trips behind the bushes. I tried calling Rod (my hubby) for moral support but of course couldn’t get through. Instead, the universe sent me another Rod—who, along with a few kind strangers, helped change the tyre and send us on our way. It was a lot funnier once the tyre was fixed.
We learned a lot about how to better equip ourselves for the next trip. There were plenty of laughs and good times along the way. I feel full, grateful, and honoured to have shared this experience in such great company—and to have made a fabulous new friend.
I’m home now, inspired and ready to produce a new body of work.
Next week I will post my second artist interview: Artists Who Create in Close Relationship with the Land. The interview is with Tammy Kanat an Australian fibre artist. It’s incredibly inspiring, I’m excited to share it with you.
Warmly,
Samantha
Recommended Books:
In The Book of Alchemy,
explores the art of journaling and shares everything she's learned about how this life-altering practice can help us tap into creativity. She has gathered wisdom from one hundred writers, artists, and thinkers in the form of essays and writing prompts. Their insights encourages creative expansion which in turn points you in the direction to living a more open and inspired life.
What an amazing trip and beautiful observations! I loved hearing about it and seeing the photos. Great inspo for your art practice. Look forward to seeing what unfolds….