Sat, 3rd Aug, 2024 Barrapunta, Central Arnhem Road to Manyimi Campground, Gove Boat Club, Nhulunbuy, NT

Lovely peaceful night, 18.3 degrees with a few birds singing this morning. A few puffy clouds against the blue sky.

Said farewell to Kiwi. Hope he gets the camping thing set up as the other 'camps' have now been removed off Wikicamps.

Headed back out to the Central Arnhem Road and continued on.

Onto bitumen which looks new and the direction is different to on our map as we near the Goyder River (which flows into the Arafura Sea to the north of us). Over three single land bridges.

Back onto the dirt. No wonder the road is a bit rough, the grader is on the back of a semi heading out!

Onto bitumen again as the road direction changes again around Rocky Bottom Creek area. There is still a side track down to the creek which we missed so we just pulled up by the roadside for a break and a cuppa. The wind has come out and blow the clouds away.

Pulled up for a photo by a tall anthill.

Vivid green shoots on the grass trees after they have been burnt. Lots of burnt areas.

Purple flowers on the bushes standout even with all the dust on them.

Piles of limestone rocks in clusters again in the bush as we pass the turn off into Donydji Community.

Across the wet causeway at Flatrock Creek.

Big thick clouds are coming over now. One cloud got darker then dropped some rain drops on us as we pass the turn off into Birany Birany Community. Didn’t last long - just enough to mark the dust into red muddy blobs on the bonnet.

Pulled into Pit 10 (there have been heaps of gravel pits along the way) to have lunch. This is the last ‘free camp’ available. Anne decided to try and see if we could get into Memorial Park - there are four areas that require special bookings from different family groups, different to our 2 week pass. She couldn’t get onto anyone so tried the van park - we are a day early. The lovely caretaker, Emma, said one of our sites is free and she had room for the other two any case so she said to come in now.

120km to go so we headed off. Up and down hills. Passed a sign saying ‘no shooting or dogs for next 20km’ then we passed a dead pig then a dead wallaby on the road. Maybe they need to say no cars too!

We spotted some cattle on green grass then we crested a hill and saw the station homestead further up the hill with green grass all down the slopes. We slowed as the others had pulled up to check on a car that was parked off to the side. It was the one we passed under tow. They had said to drop them here thinking this was the hill with Telstra reception but it didn’t. The chap had walked up to the homestead but no one was there - the Garma Festival is on so they are probably in Nhulunbuy for that. Anne got out their starlink so the lady could make a call and get help. They are from Darwin and she is supposed to be singing at one of the events. Steve checked with the chap as to the car’s problem (a Prado) and he thinks it has blown a head gasket by what the chap said so he can’t help out with that. A police car came passed and they waved him down - he said he would let someone know too. Eventually she managed to get onto someone so we left them to wait. Another car overloaded with people came by and chatted with them then continued on.

As they were sorted we continued through more green grass on the open flats then up the next hill where there is a sign saying Telstra so they were just one hill short. We went through double grids and continued on.

Back into scrub country again. Up and down the hills and around Mount Harold. We took a track up a hill called Mount Saunders (no good for the others with vans) to check out the view from the tower site. We can just see the water which I think is Melville Bay. It’s a bit hazy and the trees need pruning!

Back to the road and on the other side was the track down to Memorial Park. Will have to see if we can get in there on the way back - supposed to be a beautiful lagoon for swimming etc.

Down the steep descent on the other side.

Across Giddy River which we are allowed to visit with our Dhimurru permit we paid for. There are camp spots along the river so we will have a look on our way out.

Reached a T-intersection - left to Nhulunbuy and right goes down to another area where you need a special permit.

Passed a sign saying Rio Tinto Mining Operation and we are now on a hard compacted road.

Onto bitumen as we near the airport then left turn to continue on to town on the Melville Bay Road. Passed some mining buildings and over the conveyor belt that runs straight off into the distance to the loading dock.

Into Nhulunbuy/Gove.

Housing area to the left then we passed the turn off into Nhulunbuy/Gove township, continuing on the Melville Bay Road. Pass a run down community on the beach facing the Arafura Sea then under the conveyor belt. 

Left turn into Drummie Head Road which is being resurfaced so we are on a side track. Along a short bit to the turn off into Gove Boat Club which has the Manyimi Campground beside it. Fully fenced and only 30 or so sites. Met Emma (ex Noosa) and she showed us where to park up for the night then we can move onto our sites which are along the front in the morning. Anne could go straight onto their site and Ron and Jenny went into a site in the back corner. We chose to take the one near the entrance rather than try and squeeze in with Ron & Jenny. Huge fig tree by the amenities block.

Had a cuppa then walked down onto the beach. Put a selfie up on Facebook.

Lovely view.

Walked along to the boat ramp and then up onto the rock wall for the view further around the back. There is a road on the narrow spit that goes out to another community.

Walked back then continued further around. Put my feet in the water which is clear and we can’t see any crocs about!

We had our drinks out the front by the frangipani tree with not many flowers. Lovely view, except it is through the fence. There is a camp kitchen here with BBQs so that will be handy.

Walked around to find the others who were huddled by their van at the back. Said goodnight to them and headed back to the camper to put the chicken kievs in the oven for dinner.

All quiet except for some pump noise that is a constant sound beside us.

Emma had put a brick on a pop up sprinkler beside us but it still gave me a jump when it came on at 11pm for an hour - hissing about but only sprayed straight up so didn’t wet up.