Sun, 20th March, 2022 Whistleduck Creek, Davenport Range National Park to Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve campground, NT (Exploring Whistleduck Creek & Devils Marbles)

The wind came back in the early morning making it pleasant for sleeping.

We got out the washing machine and did our domestics. The hot dry wind got the clothes dried quickly.

Some dust came through the hinges on the door and then seeped inside through the screen door so we decided to try sealing it off. We had only given it a short run on dirt at home so weren’t sure how the dust problem would be until we got in some good fine dust like here. We used a garbage bag and sticky taped it to the outside of the screen door as it is protected by the main door so won’t blow off. If that works we can make something more permanent with velcrose or something to take on and off or Steve is looking into putting a scupper on the side of the camper to pressurise inside the camper to stop the dust creeping in - we know we will have a lot of dust on the Gibb and where we normally go in WA too. We can decide what to do when we get to Darwin.

After smoko we decided to drive back to the day-use area and try and find a track along the lagoon to find the rock holes mentioned on the notice board. Steve stayed in his shorts but I put my long pants and short on and of course our big hats with fly nets. The map.

Walked to the end of the cleared path - nice view but not too tempting the climb down into the water.

Steve got a stick and cleared a path through the long grass and wiped away any spider webs - they are huge and strong webs.

We came out at the end of that lagoon - looking back down it and around to the other end. I think this is the first rockhole mentioned.

We wandered down the dry bed to reach the next waterhole.

Down to the end of that one - looking back. There is a clear sandy bit here so might have a dip here on the way back.

Continued on - it is amazing how these big trees can survive hanging off the side of a rock.

Interesting rocks.

More small rock pools which have a green slime floating in it but when Steve put the stick in it doesn’t get stuck on the the stick - just floats there.

We walked away from the creek and across the flattish area in between towards another creek that meets the other one at a junction.

It has a lot of water in it too.

Continued on till we that lagoon finished.

Another one appeared but we turned around here as we will have to climb up onto the other bank to continue.

We cut back across the flat again which would all go underwater with a good bit of rain. Looking back to the ‘canyon’ we walked down with the creek.

We decided to have a cool off at that sandy patch. Steve got in but a fish bit my toe so I just had a splash in the cool water. Very refreshing - even the flies left us alone. Didn’t let Steve get a hold of the camera for once. There were lots of fish looking for things to nibble on!!

Spotted some big melons growing by the water too.

Back to the camper for lunch then we headed back out. A nice healthy donkey rang across the track in front of us and took off into the bush. That is who has been leaving all the fresh droppings on the track.

Back to the Binns Track - might do the rest of it on another visit. Back to the station. We pulled in to chat with the station owners at the store but there was a sign saying it is closed today. There was another car there with locals from a nearby community. They got out when we came and I pointed out the store was closed. We continued on back to the highway. The other couple’s car was gone so they must have found someone to tow them back to their home.

Pulled into the Devils Marbles viewing area for a cuppa and read the info board.

We drove around to the day-use area. They have Wifi here. Checked out the info boards.

We drove around to the campground - more information. We chose a spot and set up.

A couple pulled in from Melbourne who have a small slide on camper and we chatted for a bit. They have been to Darwin and are on their way home but are not staying tonight.

The sun was still high and hot so we had our drinks inside and read for a while till the sun dropped a bit more.

Put on our boots and flynets and headed off to do a couple of the walks. Another lady pulled in and parked up near us.

We followed the markers around the rocks and will come back to go up to the lookout as the sun sets. The rock formations are fascinating.

Halfway round we veered off over to the day-use area and then did the walk there too.

Steve reckons I just karate-chopped this one in half.

Found a cave under these big ones. Not so squeezy getting out.

Steve’s turn to chop a rock in half.

Amazing how these animals survive. I saw a crab claw back at Whistleduck Creek.

This one makes a nice lounge chair.

We love all the balancing ones.

More info along the way.

This is the rock that had been removed from here in the early 1950s for Rev. John Flynn’s grave site near Alice Springs. In 1999 the Arrernte people selected a local rock and the 8 ton boulder was returned to its traditional home here. It is different from the red rocks because it was sandblasted to remove graffiti.

We went back to the original track and continued around the big rocks of the lookout area. 

Headed around to the Lookout area - the rocks look nice as the sun starts to set.

Up the big rocks to the lookout. 

There is a sign at the top saying what area not to photograph.

I can take these ones.

There are a couple of pools of water up here too which the little birds are flittering in and out of.

A bit of cloud made good sunset photos.

Looking across to the east - might come up for sunrise!!

Climbed back down again.

Cooked dinner but ate inside as there are a few bugs about. Played some cards before I started on my blog. Steve is enjoying reading which is good and luckily we have a lot of books to get through too. 

10pm down to 30 degrees - much nicer.