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