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…..

Week 19

Devils Marbles to Uluru

From Devils Marbles we continued south to Wycliffe wells and visited the roadhouse with the strange UFO things… We felt we were going the wrong way with so many travellers heading north. Our hands were getting a workout waving back to each passing by.

 

Alice Springs. 7th – 11th May

 

 

We stayed at the Stuart Caravan park for 5 nights. The car was serviced whilst here and we booked in for the van to be serviced later in Darwin.

Jake Curtis and I thought we would go for a swim in the pool.... it was a little chilly. The temperature has dropped a bit. Making do without the air con that we have got a custom to.

We had a look at the Royal Doctors Museum, the kids got to explore a full sized plane that they use.
We went to a local, very small craft market.  Drove over the Todd River, which is a dry river no water.

Caught up on some much needed organising and cleaning in the van it never ends, time for another market to sell of some clothes that the kids have out grown and toys that they are now board of... Time to put Amity to work!!!lol.

 

 

NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!

This months Caravan and Motorhome On Tour mag is out.... and we are in the HAPPY HOUR on the front cover and the DVD... and our lovely friends Bruce and Judy got an interview... 5 mins of fame...lol ( hope they get to read this )

On Saturday night we went to the Speedway. Quite small, but for $40 a family, we thought it was good value entertainment for the kids. A Storm hit at the end of the evening. Blowing dust everywhere but we stayed and watched the demolition derby in the rain.

Well that was the end of the hot weather… for the following days it was 20 or less and below 8 at night.

Uluru 12th- & 13th May

A 460km Sunday drive saw us arriving mid afternoon at the Ayres rock resort. I wanted Mother’s Day to be a bit special. I thought watching the sunset on Uluru whilst having a few drinks would be a nice way to celebrate.

As it was over $50 a night to stay, we only camped for 2 nights. The second day saw us visiting Kata Juta in the morning. The flies were very annoying.

Jake fell over and cut his hand so that was the end of our attempt of one of the walks.

 We settled for a few photos and then went back to the resort.

Dad tried to play the Didgeridoo. It was very funny. It sounded like he was passing wind.

Mum and Amity gave dancing a go they had to be Emu’s. Zach was too shy to give it a go.

In the afternoon we drove back to Uluru. We didn’t climb it but we watched other people climbing down.

That night it was very cold, it was only 8 degrees at 7:30am when we put the heater on. First time in months! We packed up and head back towards Alice Springs with intentions to free camp somewhere on the way back.

Oh yeah… if visiting, don’t forget to bring a fly net for your head!  The flies are really that bad…

 

Week 18

Katherine  to the Devils Marbles

 WA/NT border crossing 2nd May

 

NT Border, we had to say goodbye to WA, what a lovely place and great memories and still so much to see that we missed. Now to explore NT " if you never ever go, you will never, never know"

 

We came across a fire on the side of the road, we had seen lots of remanets of fires on the road but this was a little close.

We travelled to Timber Creek, filled up at $2.02 p/l, then drove through some stunning scenery around Victoria River. They had a camping spot their but we decided to move on. Our first stop in NT was Katherine, we stayed at a caravan park on the outer of town. The town was smaller than what we expected. The day we arrived there was an AFL match Hawks vs. someone. We didn't go to it, but we saw a lot of locals in their Hawks jersey walking to it.

We chose not to go to the Katherine National Park this time, we will do it on our way back up when we go to Darwin. We checked out the nearby Katherine hot springs, although the water was clear, the surrounding area was quiet dirty from the wet season flooding the area.

Mataranka Homestead 4th May to 5th May

Interesting place. Just south of the township. With its own bar, meals entertainment to go with the camping area sees a lot of northern locals coming down for long weekends. We haven't seen the movie/ read the book, but they also had this " We of the Never Never" home replica there too.

Thermal Pool

The Thermal Pool was only 100m from camp. The Kids and the many visitors enjoyed a dip in the pool. The water was warm, although the kids where complaining about the mild sulphur smell from the water and the spiders. There were a lot of  Orb spiders, and their webs.

 

Daly Waters -  5th May to 6th May

We were told by a couple we meet in Katherine, that this was a must stop. "You must visit the Pub" Lots of character, the items in this place were amazing and a lot of  history.

We had a look at the museum with lots of history from WW11., We had a look at the old war hanger down the road from the first Australian international airport.

The annual Rodeo was on in town for the weekend. Fun or cruelty, it was an experience to see what a Rodeo is about as the kids and I had never been to one.

Banka Banka West Station 6th May - 7th May

A must stop. The managers are lovely people, the kids were welcomed with an icy pole. The kids feed their calf  "BB". Jake and Amity had someone new to play with.

Devils Marbles 7th May - 8th May

We stopped here for the night ($7.50 a night), and glad we did. We arrived at lunch time and there was only 3 other campers. By sunset, the area was full. We were told that there is a dingo that roams around, and yep they where right as soon as the sun was going down the dingo was out, we could hear it's cry at night.

We did some rock climbing, Jake and Curtis are quiet the rock climbers.

Awww Brothers how cute are those boys.

How is the Sunset.....

Week 17

 

Fitzroy Crossing 24th April

We left Broome early and headed to Fitzroy Crossing. We were following a storm front, and no sooner as we arrived at Fitzroy River Lodge, the thunder and lightning started. Then it rained. What a welcomed relief from the heat…. I was more than happy to set up in the rain and having a dance, not realising the care taker was watching.

 

 Halls Creek – Spring Creek 25th April

On Thursday we moved on a free camp spot (Spring Creek) near the turn off to the Bungle Bungles. Halls creek on the way had no reliable unleaded fuel supplies. We were able to buy some of the last town supply for the Toyota dealer.

The drive was like playing a game of spotto… with the cattle on the road. The scenery has changed dramatically, from open land now to mountain ranges. The kids are not enjoying it as much as Guy and I are, all they want to do is watch DVD’s or play with their electronic games. When setting up at the rest stop, two quite huge bulls where walking around.

 

Mabel Downs Station – Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle) 26th April

Early on the Friday morning we parked the van at the Bungle Bungle caravan park (Mabel downs cattle station) and were set for a great day 4wding, river crossings etc…
Wow the Bungle Bungle, what spectacular views. In the Kids words, “I feel small” with all the mountains around them.

53km to the National park  took us 1hr45 mins. I drove thru my first river crossing at first it was a little daunting, but after first crossing I built up my confidence. Arriving at the visitor centre we got our day pass, and drove to Echidna Chasm, got our self-organised to do the 2km return walk in 38 degrees and 60 % humidity, with and Guy and I taking turns in carrying Jake and Curtis.  The walking track was on loose river bed rocks, so we had to make sure our footing, to get to the end of the chasm we had to climb a few boulders which was fun. Zach was the leader walking a good 30 metres ahead.

 

We then drove south to the dome walk. By this time, Jake and Curtis were asleep. Guy and Amity went and did the walk. We will have to do the trip again in ten years times when Curtis and Jake are able to do the walks as there were a few extra walks that we could have done.

 

We moved on to Kununurra to resupply. Unleaded was 188.9 p/ltr. After a bit of research we decided to stay at Lake Argyle Resort, 70km east of the town.

Lake Argyle 27th – 30th April

What a breath taking place the views from the infinity pool, the photos say it all. We caught up on washing clothes; a mother’s job is never done.  We went for a drive down to the Ord dam and across the wall.

Hmm Monday school work, if only Amity would understand that she is  only doing 3 hour on a Monday and Tuesday and her work is completed, beats being at school 5 days a week…and Zach has 3 hours a day.  

 

Gibb River Rd 30th April - 1st May

We left van at the Lake Argyle Resort on Wednesday and used tents, to visit Gibb River Rd area ( El Questro etc..) . Teeth chattering, roller coaster is a couple of words to describe the drive.
 

 

Guy was itching to cross a descent river crossing.  We came to the infamous Pentecost River, he went over it twice, yep so he could have a good photo of the car…LOL, I wasn’t confident crossing a river that deep… so I took the photos.

There were warning signs of the salt water crocs, but we didn’t see any. We made it to Home Valley station, really recommend people stay here that have kids. There is a great pool that is a welcome relief and the flies seem to leave you alone once in the water… They have a great under cover playground. Unfortunately we arrived there a day before everything was open. So no use of the Bar, or restaurant, or any of the attractions normally on offer.  They were nice enough to let us stay and use there amenities.  We were really not set up for the trip. We roughed it for a night in tents, we didn’t have enough air mattresses, not enough bedding, ( I was expecting it to be warmer at night. We took food to cook in their camp kitchen.. Opps! they don’t have a camp kitchen… Argh. LOL.

They also have a river side camp area if you are game… There are crocs there… and Barra to catch.

Ah 1^st May  pinch and a punch time… Hee hee –  We went for a drive to El Questro, (yes back across the Pentecost River)  had coffee and a cake, we went on a 4wd track to a lookout called Pigeon Hole, then went to Zebedee Springs.

You have to visit before 12 as there is no access after 12pm its closed for private tours. We went for a drive to Emma Gorge we didn’t do the walk. Keep that for next time.