Week 24

Mataranka to Greenvale (QLD)

 

We stayed overnight at the Mataranka Homestead one last time on our travels south. It was our last time running the air-con all night.

June 12th

Up at Sunrise we continued down the Stuart Hwy and by late afternoon we made it to the turn off and headed east for Queensland.  We stopped at the first rest stop along the road for the night. We were welcomed by the local feral cats scrounging for food. The temperature has dropped dramatically at night. Having to wear our winter PJ's and use blankets

The next day we dropped into the Barkley Homestead for fuel. (This is one busy stop.) There were a lot of people fuelling here.

We counted down the Kms to the border.  

We were stopped on the dotted line.(you know the line on the map between states / territories?) In front of us was the “Welcome to QLD” sign and farewell from NT in the mirrors. The photo below says the rest. After a rego check, a breath test and a giggle we were on our way.

We stopped at Camooweal for fuel and lunch then drove on, headed for Mt. Isa. We came across the WW11 free camp 50k’s east of  Mt Isa.

June 13th

As we drove into Mt Isa, we were amazed by how big the mining sites are. We spotted and had a look at the information centre

Posted the dreaded school work re fuel then headed for our next stop at Fountain Springs for lunch as we where sitting at the table in the van a road train pulled up next to us and scared the .... out of us.

We drove through Cloncurry, and then we stopped at a roadside rest stop for the night, 70k’s east of Julia Creek.

June 15th

We headed to Richmond which is part of the local dinosaur trail. After visiting the Kronosaurus Korner, we went out to the old council quarry where we took the kids fossicking for fossils.

 At first the kids were a little frustrated as they were not finding anything until we found a squid fossil, then they started getting excited and didn’t want to leave.

We drove on to Hughenden, where we found the next part of the Dino trail. There was a Rugby game on and most of the town must have been there. Only the single town cop was around. We used the Laundromat, and then drove on to our next free camp at Prairie at the back of the hotel

It felt a little strange camping in someone’s backyard. We had a walk around and looked at the old memorabilia, the town is known for the ghost ringer, apparently at night you can hear a ghost ringing a bell.... we didn't.

 

June 16th  

Campsie River

Free camped here overnight. It was a lovely spot to stop, as we were there early in the morning we were able to enjoy a day of not driving. The kids did some school work, played footy outside and then enjoyed a fire that was put on by the local fire brigade….. back burning.

Amity enjoyed some time to herself making jewellery. Zach built and started his own camp fire. Jake and Curtis enjoyed the road trains and loco trains (tracks behind the rest stop) going by and tooting their horns, this time it was at day light and not the middle of the night

June 17th

Charter towers, We had a walk around the town ship, then had a picnic lunch at the park.

We drove on to go to a free camp spot on the way to Mount Surprise, Fletcher Creek, this was an extremely busy free camp spot both sides where full. So we moved in to the next Free camp spot but somehow we were distracted and missed it completely. So we continued our drive to Greenvale, Staying at the Van Park. The road further on is a centre only sealed road , but not double lanes all the way, and it heavily used by road trains. It’s a very small world we meet a family that was from Leongatha and they were travelling to meet friends from Cranbourne. We didn’t know them but just ironic meeting people from an area that is close to home.

Week 23

Darwin

 

Monday 3rd June

We stayed at the Free Spirit Caravan Park (Great park. The van got side swiped by a leaving van on arrival… on the second day the local firies decided to do a burn off right behind the park and the van stinks of smoke and was covered in ash…) next to our site a bloke was welding in view of the kids and angle grinding…. Joy… oh..yeah… and the bats crapping on our awning every morning.. thanks very much….

Palmerston Water Park, the kids loved this park it’s a great free water park. Not sure how may time that Zach and Amity went down the slide.

Tuesday 4th June

Drove around Darwin, looked at the Waterfront, city, water parks, Howard springs rock pools. Palmerston Water park again Jake slipped over cutting elbow, Mum and Dad raced Am and Zach on the water sides. Jake was only 2cm too short to go on it. Caravan park activities – colouring in and the jumping pillow was utilised by Dad Curtis and Jake.

 

Stokes hill wharf

 

Wednesday 5th June

Car gas service…fingers crossed they can fix it. A day at the caravan park waiting….waiting… Curtis and Jake did the morning colouring activities. The gas service was done . hooray! We then spent the rest of the day at the Leanyer Waterpark, another free water Park in Darwin suburbs.

Thursday 6th June

6am up to pick up Flick from the airport…. Caravan serviced at 8am, Flick was very tired from the flight so we left her in the van for a sleep whilst we shopped for a new booster seat for Jake.

We took Flick to the Leanyer water park and then onto the Mindil Beach sunset market.

 (Mum and Dad arrive late in the evening and Jake ran up and gave Grandpa a big hug.  ) The atmosphere was amazing, the food, entertainment and stall were all good to see. We sat and ate dinner while watching another lovely sunset.

 

Friday 7th June

We went and had a look at the museum / art gallery. They had an interactive area for the kids. Guy and I enjoyed learning more about cyclone Tracey and the affects it had on Darwin

Went for a drive to East Point Reserve, past Fannie bay

The Military museum @ East Point Reserve was a great place to visit. They had a Bombing of Darwin video showing when we arrived.  Jake was taking all the information in and commenting throughout the video, his understanding was pretty good for a 4 year old, but he just couldn’t get an understanding of time, as he wanted to know if the bad guys where going to find our caravan and bomb it, we tried to explain it to him, but it didn’t help that an F-18 fighter jet flew past that made it all that little be real for him.

We decided to take the kids to Aquascene, where they could feed fish on high tide. It’s a little pricey for what it is but it’s an experience. Jake was mesmerised by the amount of fish. Curtis was quite not sure about it all. He was happy throwing bread from a distance until Dad picked him up and put his feet in the water to touch the fish.  Amity and Zach enjoyed it too.

Saturday 8th June

Crocosaurus Cove. We enjoyed the visit but think the admission cost was too steep for the experience you get. Rach wished we had of gone to Crocoplyus Park but it was 50 50 split. The kids still got to hold a baby croc, snake, Bearded dragon, and blue tongue lizard and fed bay salty croc with a fishing rod. The kids enjoyed the experience. The turtle enclosure was closed, and the Croc’s where tiered and not that hungry at feeding time except the baby crocs that the kids got to feed.

Nando’s lunch. Ah, how we have missed eating there. After not having it since Perth it was nice to have it. Now we have one state in Australia that we haven’t had Nandos and that’s Tassie. Hmmm extend the trip!!! Correction Guy has eaten in every state.

Darwin Waterfront. We went here in the afternoon to cool of the temp was 36 deg and humid. Once we were there we didn’t see much of Zach or Amity they went off on their own and enjoy the freedom.

Sunday 9th June

We spent the time at the Van Park cathing up on washing, Zach and Amity’s school work. Then we went to the Palmerston water park again too cool down. Then we went for a drive and had a look at the Charles Darwin nature park, and headed back to the Van to let Curtis have a sleep.

Monday 10th June

Zach, Grandpa and Dad went on an early morning, half day fishing charter.  Zach enjoying some boy time, with Dad and Grandpa, as much fun as it was they wished they caught more fish. Grandpa catching the only fish legal size to take home and that was dew fish, Zach caught a juvenile shark, and guy caught a Mother in-law fish, baby cod, little red fish and a strippy yellow and silver fish which was used for bait oh and a piece of coral. Very technical names I know but that’s there description. Zach said his croc burger tasted nice.

The day was a day of doing last minute washing and shopping before we head down to go across to Queensland.

Tuesday 11th June 

We said good bye to Nana, Grandpa and Aunty Felicity.

 Now we head for QUEENSLAND! Hooray!

Week 22

Kakadu to Berry Springs

 27^th May

We left Adelaide river and headed for Kakadu. We stayed at the Mary River Roadhouse for the first night. The plan was to travel anti clockwise around the tourist circuit.

First stop was going to be Gunlom, but it was closed due to high water levels. We drove onto the Gagudju Lodge @ Cooinda, our next night stop over where the Yellow Water wetlands are. There is a boardwalk along the wetland and great for photos of the lilies and bird life. But due to high water levels and Croc risk, the area is still closed. We decided not to stay as there was nothing to do. We topped up with fuel and visited the nearby Waradjan aboriginal culture centre. Here they have a great information / history displays, shop and activities.

Rachel and Amity experienced making bracelets with the locals and local food was also on offer for a taste. Turtle, Croc, roo, and Emu to name a few. The boys settled to just eating the damper on offer.

Jabiru 28th  29th  30th  May

Kakadu Lodge and caravan park was next on our list to stay. Online had a lot of good reports about this place. They had the cleanest amenities we have seen for the past 4 weeks. We based ourselves here for three days and explored the local area.

 

 

There was a lot to see. From rock art at Nourlangie Rock to views of the wetlands at Ubirr are must things to do.

 

The kids also did a spot of local painting at Cahill’s Crossing on the East Alligator River.

 A visit to the Bowali visitor centre is also good for more information on the local people and their traditions.

Mary River wilderness Park 31st May

We saw our first Salty Croc as we crossed the South Alligator River.

 We had planned to stay overnight at Aurora Kakadu here on the Arnhem Hwy but it didn’t look very inviting. We moved on to the Mary river Park, 2 km from the Bark Hut Inn. It was nice and peaceful. We went for a walk and also a drive up to Point Stuart to find some more photo opportunities. They offer airboat rides up here if you desire.

Watch out for the thousands of mozzies at night. We had hundreds of them stuck to the moisture on the outside walls of the van in the morning. We also visited the windows of the wetlands visitor centre and the jumping Croc statue. We made it back to civilisation via Humpty Doo, restocked in Coolinga and moved on.

Tumbling Waters (Berry Springs) 1st & 2nd June

Rach wanted to go stay at this place she also heard good reports about so we drove back into Coolinga to resupply and then drove out to the Cox Peninsula, past Berry Springs and stayed 2 nights.

Whilst here, the kids hand feed crocodiles, swam in the pool until they were dehydrated and sunburnt and made friends with a few young at heart Grey Nomads.

 

On Sunday Amity joined in the morning craft market whilst Dad and Curtis played with a visiting snake from the nearby Territory wildlife Park.

 

There was lots of activities and we all enjoyed the stay here.

On leaving the area we popped into the Berry Springs but we didn't go for a swim. it was too cold for us this early in the morning (around 26') We watched fish swim around and there were warning signs to watch out for fresh water crocs. A group of UK tourists were brave (or silly) enough to jump in.

 

Week 21

Adelaide River 19th to 26th May

 

We stayed at the A.R.S.S. show grounds for a week, taking the opportunity to slow down a little. We still managed to keep busy.

 

 We visited Robin falls. Zach, the adventurous one, decided to go climbing and climbed up to the top section where he went for a swim under the water fall.

Litchfield National Park

 

A day trip to Litchfield National Park. This was a busy day and a lot of fun. On the drive to Wangi Falls a 2 metre black snake slithered in front of the car, Rach swerved and missed him…phew! Rach went for a little walk on the board walk. Whilst Guy and the kids were dipping in the water, to find a goanna, then a snake and some big spider webs with big spiders…… so she was a little hesitant to swim.

We decided to go down a 4WD only track to the lost city, this was Rach’s first time driving a 4WD only track. She admits it was a lot of fun although Guy was telling Rach to go slowly through the water, he drove the track on the way back and water splashed over the roof, go slow my bottom. After reaching the lost city we went for a walk and had a look at the stone formations.

 

Florence Falls was also a nice place to see in the park.

 

Back at camp, across the highway, we checked out a stuffed water buffalo at the local pub. It was the one from the Crocodile Dundee movie.

Washing the car…. How many time can you wash the car….. Comments were made from other campers “Are you trying to make it grow?” After Guy had washed it before going to Litchfield and it was sparkling…. Hmm I took it through a few massive puddles and dirt in Litchfield and yep he had to wash it again…Ooops!

The kids enjoyed being able to run around in safety.

There is a local prisoner area next to the race course… which we found out after paying for the week… they kept to themselves no harm.

 

Week 20

West Mac Ranges to Edith Falls

 We thought about staying at Curtin Springs but it was only a short drive from Yulara so we kept moving on. Mt. Connor was another formation higher than Uluru so we stopped like the rest of the traveller for a photo.

 

 

We stopped at the Elindara roadhouse for lunch and then used the free camp book to target somewhere to stay before Alice.

 

 Unfortunately the only spot we liked had a homeless/ unfriendly person setup there and we didn’t feel comfortable staying so we moved on all the way back to Alice springs. We had no need to stay in Alice so we made plans to go out to the West Mac ranges for the night.

 

West MacDonnell ranges 14th & 15th May

Well it got late and before we knew it, it was dark and still nowhere to stay the night.

Just before we high tailed it back to Alice, we found a 24hr rest stop, not one that was marked in the camps book. We couldn’t see much but we setup, ate and off to sleep after a very long day in the car.

It rained. And didn’t stop for over 30 hours… it was very cold and there was nothing but school work to do. It did clear up in by the second morning the place we stopped at, held a spectacular view of the ranges. It was very muddy and Guy carried everyone to the car…

Wycliffe Well 16th May

After our quick visit to the roadhouse here last week the kids wanted to stay for the night. It was a Big4 so we had a level of facilities expectations in mind. We were let down big time. The only thing great was a hot shower. This place was run down. We don’t know how they are still apart of the Big4 group. This has to be the worst caravan park we stayed at and the dirtiest, the washing machine’s damaged our clothes the dryer busted down as was trying to dry them, Rachel was extremely frustrated. Toilets were dirty and so were the showers.

The only thing good going for it was a heap of paraphernalia of UFO sightings and the painted murals.

Yeah… our advice is to visit the roadhouse but stay at Devils Marbles just up the road…

 New Castle Waters free camp 17th May

 New Castle Water was a next free camp spot for a night; it was a popular spot with over 15 vans fitted in. It was a great spot for an overnight rest after a long day of driving. The only problems are the fly’s and the truck drivers that tooted the horns in the middle of the night. To fill in some time in the late arvo Amity walked around to the campers selling her cards, she made about $20.00 not bad!!

We stopped into the Larrimah Wayside Inn (Pink Roadhouse) the next day. The kids checked out the free zoo. Curtis was not sure about the Pink Panther….   

 

Edith Falls 18th & 19th May

Great free camp spot…. About an hour’s drive north of Katherine. We stayed here for 2 nights had intention of staying more but we needed the comfort of the air con at night…. The night didn’t get down below 26 and humid. By the end of day 2, Rachel was grumpy and tired.

We were only 100 metres away from the waterfall and the plunge pool so that’s where most of our time was spent, life is just too hard.

 

The kids had a go at dot painting, after buying supplies from the shops in Alice, (it was way too expensive at Uluru $75 an adult and $35 a child!) Zach and Amity were not happy as they had expectations of it being easy…..