Mon, 29th May, 2023 Bush camp by Lake Dora, west of Pumnu Community to Bush camp at Well 33 on Canning Stock Route, near Kunawarritji Community, WA

6.7 degrees - ouch. 6.15am put the heater on as it will take a while to get it up to 20 degrees. How did we survive in the back of ‘Pat’ - thermal underclothes and good jumpers!

Blue sky with cloud on the horizon in the south east. No wind at the moment. Quite warm in the sun when we went outside to head off again. Running parallel with the sand ridges again then we turned and went up and over a few before we reached the turn off into Punmu. Lots of budgies zooming about too.

Headed into Punmu Community which has a great sign and good way to use the plastic water bottles.

Looking across to the houses in the trees.

Stopped at the fuel pump and checked with a chap in the machinery shed. He said to head to see Edith about a key so we drove down a street. Asked some chaps picking up the rubbish bins and they pointed further along the road. Then asked a chap in a Community ute and he drove around to the office. He said we needed another chap who was busy at the moment but he would come around shortly. We spotted the 44 gallon drum wagons the chap we met in 2018 had built to take the kids for a ride in to get to school. He was also going to build a water park for them.

The chap arrived so we had a nice chat while we filled up. Amazingly it is still only $3.20/l which is what it was in 2018. I asked about the other chap we met in 2018 and he said he was now working at Cotton Creek community which we visited in the bottom park of this National Park area. I mentioned the water park and he said yes he did make it but at the moment the switch has broken so waiting for a part and its a bit cool for it now so all good. He said to come around and have a look later. He also said to call in and see his wife at the shop as there are free fruit and vegetables available.  

We drove around to the shop and met his wife. I picked up a few oranges and apples and we headed off to check out the water park. It was a small area with a big metal frog that squirted water and and big tipping bucket. The others said it was the most popular thing here.

Headed back out and onto the sandy track again. The wind is back. Further along we stopped for a cuppa at the east side of the national park according to Hema. No flies here!!

Continued on then saw a stopped vehicle so slowed down. He was ok. Just came down the Kidston Track from 80 Mile Beach - also known at the Wapet Track which was from the oil exploration days. Steve asked about the Gary Junction Road as he said he used to work at Punmu and he said it was a great highway across to Alice Springs.

Continued on with the sand ridges then we went over a rise and Lake Auld came into view - gleaming salt in the sunshine.

Crossed over the top of the lake where the Kidston Track enters (on the Hema it say Wapet and that the road we are now on is called the Wapet too).

Unusual outcrop of rocks amongst all the sand ridges.

We are spotting fresh camel droppings on the road but haven’t spotted any live ones yet.

Over a rise where a tower for Optus (I think) is and the road just keeps on going.

Pulled up on the side of the track for lunch. Only seen 3 vehicles so far so I think we will be ok.

Through a long section filled with blooming yellow wattles and shrubs with red flowers.

A change from the red sand again - a rocky hill.

Black smoke coming up over the sand ridge as we hear the Kunawarritji Community. I spotted a chap up on the sand ridge so it must be under control!

They now have a 24 hour card facility and it is cheaper, only $3/L where we paid $3.40 when we were here in 2018. Go figure. Topped up and chatted with a teacher taking some kids on a camping trip - looks like a few of the dogs are going too!

Out to the track again where a sign says 1100km to Alice Springs. Down the track a bit to meet the Canning Stock Route which goes left and right. Straight ahead is out destination tomorrow on the Jenkins Track that joins up with the Gary Junction Road but for tonight we are driving 4km up the CSR to Well 33 for the night. Brings back memories of our last visit as we stayed here twice after travelled back down the CSR and finding a couple who had been stranded in the wet track for 2 days waiting for a tow truck to arrive. We got them out and helped them back up and down the sand ridges to Well 33.

Chose our spot and set up camp.

Only one other chap here at the moment. Had a chat when I went to take some photos of the well. Sign says Kunawarritji but on Hema is was Gunowaggi before the linquists changed the spelling). Lots of finches about and I zoomed in down the well.

He is from Sydney and is waiting for his mate to catch up with him after he did a detour back to Newman to get new tyres after shredding a couple on the track.

2pm 28 degrees, warm in the sun but the gusty wind is still cool. Had a cuppa then worked on my blog.

His mate arrived so we went over to join them for drinks. Manfred is from Sydney and Shane from Brisbane. They are heading to Broome where their wives will join them for a trip down the WA coast. We suggested a few special places for them to visit.

The sun set was lovely and the wind has stopped - too lazy to get up and get my camera. Unfortunately as soon as the sun sets the temperature dropped so it wasn’t long before we headed inside. We remember the cold nights well so we apologised as we headed in to put our heater on and have a hot shower!!