Coote flies the repaired Golden Quest II back to the Rock and lands on a perfectly  clear natural landing ground less than a mile from the base of the monolith, Taylor wonders about other agendas but he is only the mechanic and Coote is ready to throw his puny weight around as the new Boss of the expedition. And he can't return to civilisation while the plane remains at the Rock.

And at last the desired publicity, Arthur Blakeley releases a press statement in the morning regarding the search for Coote. Three officers and three Moth planes from the R.A.A.F. under Eaton will leave Melbourne tomorrow and arrive Alice Springs on 9/11/30. Blakeley adds that he expects that much valuable mapping work will be done as a result of the search, a bit contradictory.

Then contacts Carrington to render every assistance to the search planes when they arrive, as if Carrington would do less. The Government Resident now highly suspicious, telegrams the Minister with details of Coote's haphazard arrangements and to hold the planes until he has fully investigated Coote's conflicting arrival times at the Mission, he will contact the Minister tomorrow from Hermannsburg.

PaddyTucker leaves for Alice Springs.

Terry and Bailey up at five to a dense haze all about, away by 7.00 but the track has only slightly improved, it's a rare pleasure to find some top gear driving. Frequent stops to cool the motor, to lessen the work on the laboring engine most of the tail pipe is removed, the machine now speaks with authority, adjustments made to the carburetor and petrol consumption improves. Arrive Ernabella at lunch time and load up with three drums of excellent water from soaks. They inspect the numerous visitors cards carved into the trunks of the magnificent red gums lining the Ferdinand Creek. Leave for the Tomkinsons at 3.00  and blaze a new road, no motors have travelled west of Ernabella. That will annoy Idriess, Terry the 'Main Roads Explorer' making new tracks across Australia.