Fri, 2nd June, 2023 Charley Creek Rest Area, Tanami Road to Tropic of Capricorn Rest Area, Stuart Highway, north of Alice Springs, NT

7am and the sun is just rising behind a band of low cloud and it is only 8.3 degrees! Heater on and we had a leisurely breakfast and read our books for a while. No phone reception here.

Amazing how many vehicles go up and down the Tanami Road - no wonder they are wanting to make it bitumen all the way through.

I did my usual baking and a banana cake to use up the extra soft bananas. A vehicle pulled in with three people who came over for a chat about the truck and camper. As I had just made a cuppa I offered them some date slice which they were very appreciative of.

After lunch we packed up and headed towards Alice Springs through a section that has recently been burnt. There is a smoke haze hanging over the hills, normal for this time of the year with all the burning they do in the winter months. Crossed over the Tropic of Capricorn but no sign here.

Jon rang just as we got reception. He is still driving up and will stay in Cooper Pedy tonight so we will see him tomorrow afternoon and the boss said it was ok for us to park up in the work yard tonight as Jon will be staying there in the accommodation huts too.

Reached the Stuart Highway then turned towards Alice Springs. We saw a tourist sign for Wigley Waterhole so headed down the dirt track for a look. We passed two vehicles coming out that had swags. We turned onto a track that ran beside the telephone poles. We had the street map on the Hema so put it back on 4WD tracks and realised this track goes on for quite a distance following the old Telegraph Track so we decided to turn around. Spotted an old explosives compound too so obviously used during WW2.

Into Alice and got a gas bottle at Bunnings then around to the Todd River to park in the larger vehicle parking area. The Todd River is dry as usual.

Walked around to the Information Centre that is in Todd Mall to ask about Wigley Waterhole etc. The mall was very quiet - no one around. The lady said it was mainly used by mountain bike riders etc and after recent rain there should be some water in the waterhole but she couldn’t say what the track was like. Got some other brochures of things to see in Alice in case we stay longer. Good town map too.

Back to the truck then across the bridge over the Todd River to get a photo.

Big goanna on the roundabout as we went back over the river again on the low level crossing further along.

Around to Anzac Hill. Great signs as you drive up.

Spotted the other couple that were at Charley Creek in their old landrover and chatted with them for a while. They are from Victoria doing the big lap.

Great view from up here except for the smoke haze.

Read all the information boards etc.

A line of information boards about all the different wars on the other side too.

There were great pictures on the back of the signs as we headed back down.

Headed north 30km to spend the night at the Tropic of Capricorn rest area. 8 other campers parked up so we set up then walked down for a photo by the Tropic of Capricorn statue. Bit of information too.

Got some great sunset photos too with the sun descending through the smoke haze.

Chatted with two couples from Tassie who are heading to Darwin. They were interested in metal detecting so Steve gave them some hints. I gave them our card as we said we were heading to Tassie early next year so they said to call in and see them.

Ray and Carol rang. We decided to go up and join them for a couple of weeks. Will do our shopping tomorrow.