Blog 43 - 18th to 24th June 2014

Wednesday 18th June - after completing the last blog this morning, Di completes a painting of the gorge, before we head off to the Katherine golf club to watch the State of Origin - Game 2. We get there early, have a few drinks and get some snacks before the game kicks-off. We all now know that the drought has been broken, and NSW have finally won a series again - boo-hoo Queenslanders. Back to camp late in the evening.

Thursday 19th - we decide to stay another day as it is quite nice, so we go to the Katherine Museum, and see a film about the flooding of the town in 1998 - very scary - the river rose 20 metres and closed the highway and the rail line. Incredible how much water came through. Lunch in town, and then a bit of window shopping, before driving to the thermal pools in the centre of town.

A relaxing paddle along the stream, and enjoying the water. We also walked to the top of the stream, where the water flows from the spring - lots of water coming out and crystal clear. After dinner, Allan and Joy join us for a chat.

Friday 20th - pack the camper and leave Katherine, driving north for 40km's before turning off to Nitmiluk NP and then 20km's into Edith Falls. We arrive at 10.30am and the place is already filling up, but we manage to get a nice site next to Allan and Joy and book in for 2 nights. We all wander down to the waterhole which is only a short walk away.

It is about 150 metres out to the waterfall, and about 200 metres across, and very deep in the centre. We all swim out to the falls and sit on the rocks near where the water flows over the rocks. Nice and cool water, and a great place. Back to camp for lunch, and then Di and I head back to the waterhole to read and do a drawing. After dinner, we are joined by Allan and Joy for a game of Logo.

Saturday 21st - up early to do the walk to Sweetwater Pool which is 4.5km's away. About halfway, we stop in at Long Waterhole

and have a swim under the waterfall.

Then the remainder of the walk to Sweetwater, and another small waterfall and massive pool, where we have a couple of swims, chase some fish, and have lunch on the rocks in the shade beside the pool.

It becomes very hot on the way back, and the walk is becoming very tiring. Before we arrive back at the carpark, we divert to the Upper Falls of Edith, and descend the small hill to a magnificent waterhole, again with another waterfall to swim underneath.

This would have to be the best spot we have been in several months, and we swim for a while, before completing our walk around the ridge and back to camp, stopping in at some lookouts. All up, we have walked over 10km's, swum in 3 separate waterholes, and are exhausted. A big day.

Sunday 22nd - we decide to book in for another night, and spend the day doing not too much at all. We spend the morning reading, and after lunch head down to the main waterhole for a swim. Di did another drawing and it was really good. Joy made damper, and we had damper with jam and cream back at camp, before a few pre-dinner drinks and then our meals, and then a quiet evening.

Monday 23rd - again we book in for another night, and after saying goodbye to Allan and Joy, we do the shorter walk to the Upper Falls to spend the day swimming and relaxing.

We go for a swim, Di does another drawing of the falls, we read a bit, have another swim, then some lunch, then a short walk around the rocks, then another swim, before drying off and then having one last swim before we leave. After dinner we have a hot shower and another quiet evening.

Tuesday 24th - packed up and ready to go by 9.00am, we say farewell to Edith Falls campground - a truly magic place and worth coming to if you ever pass by. We drive further north to Pine Creek and book into the Pussy Flats camping area, and hook up to power as the batteries have been drained from our time at Edith Falls. We unhook the camper and drive into town, stopping at the lookout over the mine, and then a coffee and scones in the cafe. Then back to camp for lunch and some relaxing in the shade.

Tomorrow we will head into Kakadu for a week or so, and explore the area - and try to avoid the crocs.

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo

Blog 42 - 5th to 17th June 2014

Thursday 5th June - with the fuel tank replaced in the Triton, we head to the auto electricians to get a 10 minute job done replacing 2 switches - and then 4 hours later, we finally leave Alice Springs and start heading north. As it is already early afternoon, we only get a bit over 100km's up the road, and decide to stop in at Prowse Gap rest area beside the highway. After setting up camp, we chat to some other campers, and then join them at their fire later in the evening.

Friday 6th - we continue north, stopping in at Ti Tree for a quick drive around, but not too much to actually look at. Further north we stop in at Barrow Creek roadhouse to get some fuel and have a wander around. Lots of graffiti on the walls, and lots of items hanging up in the bar to look at. We decide to go another 40km's up the road to Taylor Creek rest area, and have some lunch before setting up the camper. The wind is blowing constantly, and the dust is never ending, plus it is quite hot in the sun. After we spend a bit over an hour collecting wood for a fire, we decide later on that it is far too windy and too risky to light it, so the next visitor will get a bonus. A very popular free stop, with nearly 30 vans parked for the night.

Saturday 7th - only a couple of km's up the highway before we decide to divert off into the Davenport Ranges and have a look around. After letting the tyres down for the dirt, we take off along a good formed track. Along the way, we see a snake sunning itself across the road - about 5 feet long.

We turn left onto the track into Old Police Station waterhole, and we are now back to 1st and 2nd gear, and it takes us a few hours to complete the 92 km's, with lots of rocky sections, creek crossings, and bulldust. We arrive into camp to an amazing waterhole that stretches for nearly 2km's and camp under a shady tree on the bank.

We go for a walk along the water heading east and not far past the end of the waterhole, another one starts - this is one of the very few permanent waterholes in the NT. Just a shame the water is so cold otherwise we would have gone for a swim to wash all the dust out. We get a fire going to stand around to keep warm before bed.

Sunday 8th - the wind has continued for the last few days, and is strong again this morning, which makes cooking the bacon and egg sandwiches a bit of a challenge. We each grab a book and sit inside the tent reading, simply to avoid the wind and dust. About lunchtime, we decide to go for a walk around the waterhole to find the Old Police Station ruins, which are the remains of the old stone buildings that was once the homestead. Lunch and then a lazy afternoon, before cranking the fire up for a roast dinner in the camp oven.

Monday 9th - still windy, so we pack up and head out the 162km's of dirt road to the Stuart Highway, and turn left for a short drive to the Devil's Marbles. Glad we got in early, as the campground fills quickly and by 3pm there is not much room left. We have a wander around the rock formations, trying to understand how they are created. The ones balancing on top of others are very confusing.

Di does a drawing of the Marbles this afternoon, and we endure another cold and windy night.

Tuesday 10th - we pack and leave camp, again travelling north up the highway. We stop in at the visitor centre at Tennant Creek, and have a stroll around looking at the display of the old mining town photos. After some lunch we continue north, stopping for the night at Banka Banka Station, which is an Indigineous Land Council run property. But the best thing is that they have GRASS to camp on, and great hot showers - it has been 6 days since we left Alice, and we have only had a wash with a flannel since then. We get some washing done, and then head for a long shower, with the water coming from hot springs. After dinner we walk across to the bar for a drink, and then out to the communal fire and chat to other travellers.

Wednesday 11th - this place is so nice, we decide to stay an extra day and just relax with the grass under our feet. After breakfast we go for a walk to the waterhole,

passing several old Holdens rusting away in the long grass - what a shame.

The wind has finally died off, so it is nice to spend some time outside. Once back at camp, we walk to the top of the hill to the lookout for views over the campground and the flat plains off into the distance.

A relaxed afternoon, before walking over to the fire again that evening.

Thursday 12th - packed and on the road, we continue north, stopping in at Elliot to buy some bread and make some calls. Further up the road we stop at a roadside rest area where there is a monument to the overland telegraph line builders - we have some lunch. Then we continue through Dunmarra, then past the turnoff to the Buchanan Highway wher we came through 10 months ago, and arrive at Daly Waters pub for the night. After setting up camp, we walk around town, stopping in at the Kevin Rogers art gallery and have a long chat to him about his art works. Then into the pub for a beer with Allan and Joy (who we met at Banka Banka), and their new friend Frank who is 79 and touring on his own. We have dinner at our camper and go back to the pub to listen to the music.

Friday 13th - Frank invites us all for a coffee after breakfast, so we sit in the pub and have another chat. Frank is going east to Boorooloola, while us and Allan and Joy continue north. We stop in at Larrimah Hotel, and walk around the zoo out the back.

Lots of lovely birds, a couple of crocs, some wallabies, and a magpie that crows like a rooster. A bit further up the road, we turn off to Mataranka Thermal Springs, and decide to stay at the homestead so we can walk down to the pool. We book in for 3 nights, and after setting up, we head down to the pool for a swim. The water is crystal clear, and nice and warm, so we spend several hours swimming around and chatting to fellow travellers.

We wander back to camp about 5.30pm and decide to go to the pub for dinner and listen to the band.

We also clock up 60,000km's on our trip today in just under 15 months away.

Saturday 14th - up early for a walk down to the river, and then out to Stevie's hole before breakfast. We then drive into town, and then out to Bitter Springs where we grab the noodles, goggles and snorkels and walk down to the waterhole. The water is warm again, and as clear as you could get, so we decide to float down stream with the current and take in the views along the way. We then walk back to the start, and grab our snorkel and goggles, and the 2nd time float down looking at the world under the water. We see a couple of turtles and some small fish. Back to the start again, we paddle upstream a bit and float around in the warm water - very relaxing and a great way to spend a morning.

Back into town, we stop in at the gallery / cafe for lunch, before back to camp. I give the Triton a much needed wash.

Sunday 15th - today we decide to explore the Elsey NP, so we drive to the far end to 12 Mile and go for a short walk down to the boat ramp and then down to the swimming hole.

On our return, we stop in at Mulurark where the river gets shallower and flows over rocks,

and then at Wabalarr where the water is very deep.

The last spot is 4 Mile where there is another boat ramp, and the river narrows and flows quickly through a deep channel.

Back to camp for lunch, and then down to the thermal pools for another swim. The breeze had picked up a bit, so it was quite cold getting out of the water. We join Allan and Joy after dinner for a chat at their van.

Monday 16th - packed up again, and heading for Katherine. We book into a homestead stay just west of town, and set up the camper on the grass. Back into town to the info centre, and then some lunch at Macca's. A walk around town to see what is here, and then into Woolies for a major re-stock of food. Back to camp to find that Allan and Joy have set-up camp nearby, so we chat again.

Tuesday 17th - last night we all decided to go for a walk in Katherine Gorge NP today, so we pack our gear and drive out to the park. A quick stop in the visitor centre, and then we head off. We decide to do the walk to Butterfly Gorge, which is a 12km return trip. Lots of rocks along the way, so you need to watch every step. The walk ends at the base of the gorge that is filled with water.

We climb around the cliffs to get some great views along the water. The walk back is tiring, and we decide to walk a bit further to get to the lookouts over the gorge.

Back to the visitor centre for a much needed drink and ice-cream. Once back at camp, a much needed shower, and then an early dinner.

Tomorrow we will watch the State of Origin footy match in town, and then continue our journey north, before heading into Kakadu and then Darwin.

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo

Blog 41 - 23rd May to 4th June 2014

Friday 23rd May - we leave Alice Springs this morning with the Cummings family, bound for Chamber Pillar which is 145km's south. The road is quite good, and follows the race course for the Finke Desert Race that is on in a few weeks - a very narrow and windy track that buggies race along at blinding speeds. We stop in at Maryvale station for lunch, before continuing out to the pillar, and the road gets a bit worse but not too bad. On our arrival at the camper trailer area, the place is packed with Ultimate campers, who are having a big "get-together", so we drive around to the other camping area, which is nicer and has better views anyway.

After setting up camp, we have a quick wander up to the lookout spot, and Di, Bec and Olivia walk around the rock taking lots of pictures.

Meanwhile, Sam decides to cook a cheese and garlic damper in the camp oven. We all have dinner and sit around the fire until time to go to bed.

Saturday 24th - we get up early and walk back up to the lookout to watch the sun rise over the pillar - the colours change so much as the sun makes it way over the top of Castle Rock and finally hits the stone edifice.

We than continue walking around the base, and climb to the viewing platform about half way up to look out over the surrounding plains - very picturesque. Back to camp for breakfast, then a liesurely pack-up, before departing for Rainbow Valley. The map shows a track that takes us in the back way, and we eventually find where it joins and start following - down to 2 wheel tracks again, but it is going in the right direction. Unfortunately, the track ends abruptly, and we cannot find the correct track even though it is clearly on the map. So we stop for lunch, and that is where I notice that our Triton is a bit bent in the middle - the chassis has cracked across the top between the back of the cab and the start of the ute tub. This is really, really bad news - I had read about this happening before we left, but only where airbags had been fitted (didn't fit them because of this). So with nothing else to do, we limp slowly back to Alice, first along 40km's of dirt driving very slow, and then along the Stuart Highway at about 70km/h. As it is Saturday afternoon, nothing is open, and we will have to wait until Monday morning before we can get it looked at. Not too many happy faces this evening.

Sunday 25th - after spending most of the morning researching on the net about where other Triton owners have had their chasis crack, it becomes apparent that Mitsubishi will not be interested as we have fitted after-market accessories (suspension, towbar, etc) and our only choices will be to claim through insurance, or simply get it fixed. The worry with claiming through insurance is that they might write it off as unrepairable, and we will be left to find another vehicle to continue our trip. Or they might opt to repair it, but due to the rules, they would not strengthen the chassis as it is illegal, so it would always be a concern. We decide to try to find someone to repair it by welding the gap closed, and then welding plates across the top and along the sides of the chassis rails to strengthen the weakened steel. This is also after consulting many of our knowledgeable friends and asking their advice - thanks for the reassuring ear guys. The afternoon is spent reassessing all of our gear in the truck and trailer, and throwing away what we deem is surplus, as we really need to get the weight down. With the Triton at least at its maximum carrying capacity, and the weight of the camper, combined with the bumpy roads and washouts etc, it is understandable that something had to give.

Monday 26th - we decide to try an enginerring workshop first, with the hope that they will agree to repair it. First company, first person we speak to, and we have a win. He will repair it, and even give us a space to do all the manual work before and after with removing the tray, and will only charge us for the work they do - and can do it tomorrow starting at 8.00am. This puts us in a much better frame of mind, and we head back to the caravan park to start unloading all the gear from the car, and crawl underneath to work out how to remove everything. We also get a much needed haircut, which feels good.

Tuesday 27th - up early and out at Ross Engineering by 8.00am to start work. After a quick site induction and safety briefing, we head out the back to the shed to start work. There is a bit more to it than I first thought, but after 2.5 hours, the canopy, drawer system, and tub are all removed, and you can clearly see the cracked chassis and where it needs to be repaired. We drive it around to the main workshop, and after a quick chat, they tell us it will be about 3 hours, so one of the guys drives us to the nearest cafe where we have a coffee and pastry, before waiting around a bit for lunch. With full bellies, we wander back to our shed, and spend some time cleaning up. The work is done, and they bring our Triton back, and we start putting it all back together, with 2 guys also helping us with the heavy lifting. At about 4.30pm, we drive out, with our car all repaired, and having paid the bill of $668.80 - much cheaper than what we thought, and even cheaper that our excess would have been had we put in an insurance claim -  very happy indeed.

Wednesday 28th - after a bit of a sleep-in, we finish off bolting everything back in and joining all the wires back together, and then reloading all the gear inside. The Cummings have returned from the East MacDonnell Ranges, and join us for lunch, before they start heading north and then across the Barkly Highway. Also, a couple in the cabin behind us are leaving today, and they offer us all their food that they have bought but would only have to throw away - very nice of them. After dinner, we walk around to the big shed at the caravan park where the State of Origin is being shown, and unfold our chairs to watch the game - the Blues win and it is a bit of fun chiding the Queenslanders.

Thursday 29th - we pack to leave, heading for the East MacDonnell Ranges after Trevor and Bec have told us how nice it is. We fuel up at the servo, and on the way back to the car, I notice fuel dripping from the tank. The very small crack in the tank has become rather larger, and is now about halfway down the side, so off to ARB we go to arrange a new tank to be fitted. They book us in for Wednesday 4th for warranty work, so with a week to kill before more rapairs, we head east out of town on our original plan. On the way out to Trephina Gorge, we stop in at Emily Gap

and Jessie Gap, before a quick detour into Corroborree Rock, and then finally into Trephina Gorge, where we have a choice of several campsites. We get set-up, and then go for a walk along the ridge-top of the gorge, with spectacular views along the rock edges and the sandy creekbed below,

and return back to camp walking along the base of the gorge.

Friday 30th - another big walking day, with the Panorama walk climbing the mountain beside Trephina Gorge, with views back over the campsite, and also out to the distant ranges.

Once back at camp, we jump in the Triton and drive out to John Hayes waterhole to complete the Chain of Ponds walk. This climbs up the ridge and walks along the rim of the gorge, before winding down into the creek and following this back along the base of the gorge, before a quick climb around some waterfalls and back to the carpark. The day was getting a bit hotter, and the walk was a bit longer than we expected, so we were quite tired by the end of it, but the views and scenery were amazing, and the waterfalls at the end were spectacular - would have been great to see the water flowing.

Back to camp to relax for the afternoon.

Saturday 31st - we decide to explore the area around Trephina, and head to N'Dhala gorge about 20km's away. We had heard that someone else got bogged in the river crossing the previous day, so took it carefully, but no problems. The walk into the gorge was nice, with several examples of rock carvings.

We returned, stopping in at Ross River station, where we finally convinced the reception guy (very grumpy old bugger) to allow us to have a shower for $5 each, and then came back to the bar area for lunch of steak sandwich and a burger, both with salad and chips. Then back to camp, stopping to get a stash of firewood for the evening as it was supposed to get a bit colder. And colder it got, down to about 6 degrees which is a lot colder thatn we were used to.

Sunday 1st June - another day exploring, this time a bit further afield. The drive to Ruby Gap took us 2.5 hours for the 90km's and was quite rocky and rugged for the last section. We parked and grabbed our backpacks and set off on the 6km return walk up the gorge to the Glen Annie waterhole. For most of the way it was sandy, so walking was a bit slower, but the gorge at the end was simply stunning.

I climbed around the waterhole and kept going for another few hundred metres, but it continued for another couple of km's. We had a snack and a drink, before walking back to the car for some fruit. On the way back, we quickly stopped in at Arltunga which was the first settlement in the NT, and was a gold mining town. Back to camp after stopping for some more wood, getting in about 5pm. A long day of driving and walking. A cold night spent around the fire with our neighbours.

Monday 2nd - after the last couple of days of activity, we decided on a "nothing" day, and simply sat around camp reading, and Di painted a beautiful picture of Trephina Gorge from a photo in a book. It was nice to do nothing and simply relax for the day. After dinner, we joined our neighbours around the fireplace and chatted late into the evening. Another cold night.

Tuesday 3rd - a bit of a sleep-in, and then up and breakfast, before packing and making our way back to Alice Springs. We book into a different caravan park (closer to ARB for tomorrow) and get set-up. A few chores to be done, before we decide to go shopping to re-stock late in the afternoon. Back to camp about 7pm, where Di starts to make dinner while I pack all the shopping away. It is cold again, and I think this might continue - we had been so used to nice balmy evenings wearing no more than a t-shirt, but now we are rugging up with jumpers and trackies.

Wednesday 4th - awoke this morning to the phone saying it is 2 degrees outside at 7.15am. We make a slow start, and after breakfast take the Triton around to ARB to have the fuel tank replaced. We walk back to camp, and the sun has started to warm things up. We will wait around until they ring to say it is all done, and then walk back to pick it up.

Tomorrow we will finally leave Alice Springs (after our 3rd visit) and start going north - hopefully it will be a bit warmer the further we go.

More to come soon.

Di and Hammo