Wed, 16th March, 2022 Wonara Bore Rest Area, 220km E of Stuart Hwy to Warrego Fossicking Area, near Tennant Creek, NT (Exploring Tennant Creek)

 

The water truck woke us when he came to fill up at the bore. As the sun was rising we got up too. 26 degrees which was very nice. We had a peaceful night sleep. 

We noticed the water truck driving around watering then Steve realised one of his valves won’t shut off so he will probably have to drain the tank to look at it. Oh what a mess - at least there is plenty of water here for him to refill.

Clear blue sky as we headed to Barkly Homestead and Roadhouse. We put 40 litres in even though it was $2.62 per litre but I can’t trust the app at the moment. 

We continued on. At the next rest area, Frewena, there is a lovely lagoon full of water. The main area was on Steve’s side so I missed the photo but I took one from my side and spotted a big pig in the shallows but I didn’t get him in the photo.

A bustard was hogging the road - got a mid-takeoff photo.

Cuppa at the next rest area (long way between each one) which is another bore site. No water here though and the dam is dry. We found a tree to park under as the temperature outside is soaring again. 

Roadworks at the turnoff onto the Stuart Highway. We decided to check the price at the Three Ways Roadhouse first - $2.64 so we only put 40L in again.

Decided to drive back the 25km to Tennant Creek in the south to get directions for the fossicking area and to see if the Fuel App is correct about their fuel prices.

We passed the old Telegraph Station which we will check out when we head north later. Across the actual Tennant Creek then through the natural cutting in a line of hills called Honeymoon Ranges. To the left is the turn off to Lake Mary Ann which we will check out later.

Workmen were putting up new bollards near the main town sign which looks impressive.

Continued on into town. The Liberty servo is the first one and it still had diesel at $2.05 (the App was up-to-date) so we filled up the tank to the very top. Unfortunately that was only 65 litres as we had been topping up as we went along. The BP next door was up to $2.34 so it was nice of them to keep their price down.

Through town then out to Battery Hill where the information centre is. This is the site of the Government Battery for all the gold mines in the area. Tennant Creek only became a town in 1930s when the gold rush was on here. We didn’t realise how much gold was mined here. This was the first area where gold was found in ironstone. They have a few museum rooms to view ($14 each) and general information boards etc. We chatted to the staff - one chap has recently come up from Victoria and is keen to see what gold he can find too. The staff were very helpful and provided good maps. They said the Telegraph Station was closed at the moment as it was undergoing repairs from recent damage from flooding. 

We had a wander around outside checking out the old battery, weigh bridge etc.

We drove back out of town to have lunch at Lake Mary Ann (built in 1980). I took a photo of the dam wall first.

Then we drove back to find a place to park for lunch. Nice spot but we decided to eat in the camper with the fans on!

The resident geese greeted us. There is a peacock wandering around too.

Good phone reception in Tennant Creek and here so I uploaded my blog, checked emails and made a few phone calls and sent texts as there isn’t much phone service once you leave the towns.

Back to the main road then we turned onto Warrego Road and headed towards the mine. At the turn off to the Fossicking Area is the Jemena Compressor Station - part of the Northern Gas Pipeline and there is a big flame coming out of a pipe. Steve thinks they have to burn some off if there is too much pressure etc. Looks impressive.

The country looks like WA - red dirt, scrubby trees and spinifex. We will be happy to find a couple of bits as we are trying to get a bit of gold from each state/territory - still have NT, Sth Aust and ACT to go.

A local stopped to have a chat. He has just bought a detector but didn’t have any luck but suggested we try the creek beds.

We found the site of the old mine and dam (forgot to take photos) then found a track further over where the creeks are as there will be too much rubbish around the old mine site.

Tried to find a tree for shade as it is 38 degrees but the big ones are in the creeks. Some of the clouds above have dark bottoms so we are hoping there is no rain in them. The forecast appears to be clear. We chose a spot and set up. Steve got out his extendable ladder to put the awnings on as we haven’t done that while the camper has been on the truck before - only when it has been on the ground. Works well and we were quickly set up.

The blue & white plastic strips I got to hang in the doorway seem to be keeping the flies out. Our screen door is crimsafe with midgie flymesh so it restricts the breeze a lot.

Got out the detectors etc and Steve found some timber while I wrote my blog with the fan on inside the camper. The clouds are blocking the hot sun at the moment which is a relief. 5pm still 38.3 degrees. 

6pm, the sun is hidden by some dark clouds so it is a bit cooler so we tried out my new 6000 - I detected and Steve dug the holes. After a few bits of rubbish we lucked out and found our first bit of NT gold - so, so small (won’t register on the scales) but it is gold.

Steve put up the aerial on the camper and we can just get a signal - enough for text messages which is good. He then got the fire going while I prepared dinner. So nice to sit outside again - not too close to the fire of course. Nearly all the flies have given up buzzing us and now a couple of mozzies have joined in. Otherwise all good. We laid our chairs back and checked out the Southern Cross and Big Dipper waiting to spot some satellites. The moon is nearly full so the brightness blocks a lot of the stars etc but we ended up spotting 3 satellites. 

Back inside for a few games of Skipbo - after losing 2 games I won one so I have broke Steve’s winning streak. 

Still quite warm when we went to bed but the little fans work well.