Wed, 21st Aug, 2024 Saddle Creek Rest Area, E of NT/WA Border, NT to Mary Pool Rest Area, west of Halls Creek, WA

Up at 7am though the sun is still hiding behind the hill. Clear sky, 18 degrees - max of 36 today.

Back on the Victoria Highway heading to the NT/WA Border. 30km out the time changed on my phone - we went back 1.5 hours so now we are ready for breakfast again, haha.

A Jabiru flew off as we crossed a small creek - so beautiful. I only see them standing so it was lovely to see one in flight.

Reached the border, we had done the border photos before. Into WA and the quarantine station for our inspection.

All good except I had peeled my oranges this morning and put them in the freezer. Ok but they had to be frozen before arriving here so we pulled them out and ate them there. That will get me through to our delayed morning tea due to the change in time!!

Continued on to Kununurra and went around to Mitre 10 to check out a new fridge for the truck. They only had Dometic $1499. We had passed a pet shop place that had a sign for Kings (which was the old fridge) so went in and she had one there for sale - well a few as she had just got a shipment in - can’t keep up with the camping gear purchases, she said. $400 for 50L fridge so we grabbed it - our old one was 60L but it is mainly for when we need extra vegies and fruit when going off the grid for a few weeks. Steve swapped them over and the lady said they would dispose of the old one for us.

Around to Coles to get some fruit and veggies. Terrible staff service. One lady opened a checkout but then closed it even after we had been standing there for 10 minutes. When I asked if another one was opened she said she didn’t know - she shouldn’t be here any case!! We went up to the service desk but that lady was no better so we just self-served and got out of there.

Around to the park near Lake Kununurra for a cuppa and to put the food away.

Along to Ivanhoe Road then stopped at the cheap fuel place to fill up (191.9c/l). Continued along the road to check out the crossing over the Ord River though a sign says the crossing is closed. Lots of water in the irrigation channel. Passed mango trees, vegies fields, sandlewood plantations and fields of corn and there must be cotton too as little bits are lining the roadside. Two trucks loaded with rolled cotton passed us heading east earlier.

Drove down the hill and parked.

I can see why the crossing is closed - there is a lot more water coming over compared to when we crossed it in 2022. At least that Bucket List item was done then.

Selfie time.

Back to the Victoria Highway and continued westward. Across the irrigation channel.

Then across the Ord River bridge.

Further along we turned left onto the Great Northern Highway to head to Halls Creek.

Lovely views of long hills to our left - Boyd Range. More sandlewood plantations - must be getting their water from the Dunham River which is betweeen us and the hills.

Lunch stop at Dunham Rest Area. Had a chat with a young chap with a huge computer screen, solar panels and starlink. He was working - heading towards Kununurra where they had an office for his work so he was looking forward to air conditioning. He is having 12 months exploring whilst working.

Across Dunham River. Steve spotted a Jabiru on his side - I keep missing getting a photo.

An Asian chap was riding his bike - it is 36 degrees out there!

Beautiful country through here with all the hills and mountain ranges. Good road too - much better than the Victoria Highway.

Over the wide Bow river with the old bridge below.

A WA Boab.

Long ‘major roadworks’ - they have ripped up the road and redoing it so we are on a gravel side road.

Cuppa at Muluks Rest Area beside Fletchers Creek. There is a causeway that would have been the old road.

A few of the one lane bridges are being replaced with the road works with two way bridges which is good.

Passed the turn off into the Bungle Bungles - heard a truckie says they were grading the road and it was very good at the moment. We loved it in there.

Across the Ord River - wide sandy and lots of trees with only a narrow bit of water.

Muster time at Alice Downs - lots of cattle in the yards just off the road. The stations along the highway have big signs at the start, homestead entrance and other end of their properties which is great. Big distance between the signs I might add.

Across Elvire River then through Halls Creek - sign says Heart of Gold. Cheaper fuel at Fitzroy Crossing so didn’t stop.

Across the dry Laura River then passed Margaret River Station turn off. I googled up the names thinking they might have been named by a pastoralist in the early days. Margaret River was named in 1879 by explorer, Alexander Forrest, during his expedition in the Kimberley area. He named it after his sister-in-law, Margaret Elvire Forrest, wife of his brother John who was the Deputy Surveyor-General at the time. Elvire River was named by Government surveyor, Harry Johnston in 1884, also after Margaret Elvire Forrest. He also named the Mary River after his mother - wasn’t he nice. The Laura River was named in 1884 by George Russell Turner, government surveyor of the Kimberley Survey Expedition. It is thought he named after Laura Eliza Frances Forrest, niece of John Forrest (John went on to become Premier of WA).

Steve slowed for a couple of wedge-tailed eagles that didn’t want to leave their dinner. They like to leave it to the last minute to take off and often get hit.

Then we had to slow for some ‘locals’ meandering across the road.

Across the wide dry Mary River.

Further along we turned onto the bitumen road down to the old road crossing (causeway). Lots of other travellers set up with the cattle meandering about too. We found a spot at the sun started to set behind the trees.

Had our drinks outside in the cooler air as we waited for the breeze to cool down the camper. A few tiny mozzies are about.

The ‘night fall’ birds (which always make me think of Lakefield where I first heard them) sang their songs then a Mopoke started in the tree beside us. Inside the camper tiny little bugs were getting in through the fly mesh after the light. After dinner we turned off the lights and they just buzzed around the back of the TV and died there - why come in!!

All quiet except for an occasional moo from the cattle.

Tues, 20th Aug, 2024 Emungalan gravel pit, north of Katherine to Saddle Creek Rest Area, east of NT/WA Border, NT

Up early to get to the welding place on the south of Katherine before 8am.

Steve pulled the cracked exhaust pipe off and the chap had it welded and braced in half hour which was very nice of him.

Back into town, got the photo of the Rosellas (hibiscus) and Kapok murals that I had noticed yesterday. I love rosella jam - we had found bushes around Pine Creek in 2022 and made a heap of jam.

Around to the Post Office and yeah, our thermostat thing has arrived.

9.30 onto the Victoria Highway heading to Kununurra, WA. We did this road in 2022 so won’t be stopping for any sightseeing as we did it all then.

Stopped for a cuppa at a rest area and Steve made lots of friends (Apostle birds - I call them happy families).

A lone buffalo was quietly standing by a fence - lost his friends. The cattle were a bit further along.

Impressive escarpment as we near Victoria River Roadhouse. I probably took this photo on our previous visit but I can’t help myself it looks so good.

Across Victoria River.

Through Timber Creek township - lots of boabs around here.

Travelling beside the Victoria River for a while. Still areas being burnt so there is lots of smoke about. Spotted a lot of birds, 2 were brolgas, cooling off in a small lagoon.

Victoria Highway could do with some road works - instead they just put up their little signs, rough road ahead!

Interesting escarpment. We then realised we will be camping below this hill but on the other side at Saddle Creek.

First we had to go around another hill with big slab rocks on top.

Along the other side of the escarpment.

Over Saddle Creek which was dry. Along a bit to the rest area. There were a few travellers already set up so we chose a spot under a tree so Steve could work on the truck’s fridge.

More travellers came in and then some came in and left again as it was filling up. We had drinks while checking on the fridge but it doesn’t look like the new thermostat is solving the problem as it still won’t cut in till the fridge gets too hot! Looks like we are going fridge shopping!

Gusty wind came and went. A couple of willy willies came through too stirring up the dust and leaves but we were ok in our camp spot - some others got blasted.

Nasty tiny little ants were biting me, crawling up my chair. I checked in the camper and they were coming inside from the leaves that were touching the roof of the camper. We backed away and I sprayed the ones that got inside.

Dinner outside - used up all the remaining vegies and chopped up the extra onion and celery to go into the freezer before we cross the border into WA tomorrow morning.

Spotted 9 satellites!

Mon, 19th Aug, 2024 Emungalan gravel pit, north of Katherine, NT

Had a nice sleep-in this morning with the cool air. Bigger difference between min and max (18 to 36) here than at Gove.

Headed in and filled up at the cheap place this side of town.

Around to the Post Office to see if our part for the truck fridge has arrived. The company didn’t put a tracker on it and their advice that it would be here by the 20^th. Unfortunately it hasn’t arrived yet so will have to wait till tomorrow morning. Ron was there and he got his new door latch. He got the van tyre replaced - that cost a pretty penny he said. Mike noticed a leak in one of his van tyres that had been patched previously so he is getting that changed.

We drove around to the ‘car park’ near the Info Centre and found them. Mike and Anne drove off as we walked up to get the tyre done. Ron and Jenny were just getting back from buying some more groceries. We said our part hadn’t arrived so if they wanted to continue on we would catch them at Kununurra. We went back to the camper which we parked further over in the shade. Had a cuppa waiting for the others but no one appeared. Then I got a text from Anne saying ‘sorry we didn’t get the parcel, let us know when you leave tomorrow’. Obviously they have left!!

Headed down to the river to spend the day. Passed a row of boab trees.

We drove down to the low level crossing bridge and parked in the shade by the Katherine River. Went for a wander along the water’s edge, very shallow so easy to spot any crocs! Rows of natural sandstone rocks.

Up to the bridge and the weir. Signs say ‘no swimming, crocodiles’ but there is a rope swing hanging from the tree into the rapid.

Sadly there is lots of rubbish left by the camp fires by the water - so much for the big signs everywhere!

Had lunch then relaxed for the afternoon listening to the different bird calls. Lots of people came and went, some have a dip in the water with their dogs. Lovely clear blue sky again, 35 degrees in camper but our little fans keep us comfortable.

We drove back towards town to get better phone reception and then had a video chat with Dan, Fran and Sophia. Unfortunately my speaker isn’t good so I couldn’t hear and look at the same time but I mainly wanted to look at Sophia any case - so cute. Will have to hook it up to a speaker next time.

David and Wendy celebrated their 38^th wedding anniversary today. They posted photos of walking out on low tide at Buchans Point so it looks like you are walking to Scouts Hut Island. I did it with Wendy when we were home one time.

Got a message from the Tassie gang - they are at Baines, past Timber Creek.

Heard a different noise from the exhaust and Steve found a crack in the exhaust pipe so will have to get that welded tomorrow morning before we head off. If our parcel hasn’t arrive I will have to just get them to forward it on, which is a right pain.

Back out to the gravel pit again but we went further along the track and found a nice spot to set up for the night as the sun started to drop.

Quieter back here but I will set the alarm so we can be in town before 8 to get the welding done!

Sun, 18th Aug, 2024 King River Rest Area, south of Katherine to Emungalan gravel pit, north of Katherine, NT (Steve & Amanda’s birthdays)

Cooler morning, 16 degrees.

Another year old and getting closer to pension age!! Amanda having a special birthday as she, David, Brad and Ben have flown over to England to see Ella. Sent her a message to celebrate well and we will be looking forward to all the photos.

Terry rang to wish Stephen a great day so we had a lovely chat with him. He heard that Alby had passed away so I will message Ann to pass on our condolences. Sad but it is a relief for the family as he had been having lots of falls and his dementia had taken hold. He is in a better place now. Ann responded - they will be having a private cremation and the family will scatter his ashes at Woodgate like we did with Erica.

Lots of nice messages coming for for Steve and for our wedding anniversary after I had put up the photos on Facebook of our beautiful sunset.

Found a nice shady tree to park under as it will get to 35 degrees today. Stocked up on all the non-perishables and some meat for our trip across to WA. Will have to buy fruit and veg when we get to Kununurra due to the quarantine conditions.

After lunch we filled up with water at the water station for $1. Then around to Sip’n Save to stock up - no restrictions here so we could get a couple of bottles of spirits. Only one cask of wine a day though and it is only 2 litre for more than the price I would pay for a 5 litre - oh well, lucky I am having Vodka, lime and soda mostly for drinkies.

We headed out to the gravel pit we stayed last time (the others are in the van park). There is a section along the road with these rock ‘walls’.

We went further along the track at the gravel pit area to park in the shade (well sort of) of a tree.

I baked our usual snacks so we were all set for the trip then put a sticky date pudding in to cook for Steve’s birthday dessert. Louis rang for a nice long chat.

Then the chicken pieces went in and I boiled the vegies for a bit and left Steve to roast cook them in the frypan (he does a better job then me). Delicious dinner and even yummier dessert. I do spoil him!

Played Skipbo but didn’t spoil him that much as I won 2 out of 3 games. He has been beating me in the other card games we play.

The ‘wet dirt’ smell is here too - must be to do with the hot day, 35 and the cooler night air, 23.

 

Sat, 17th Aug, 2024 Bush camp at ‘Jurassic Park’ Escarpment, Central Arnhem Road to King River Rest Area, south of Katherine, NT

Cooler morning, 18 degrees. Maybe we were premature taking the flanny sheets off as when I checked the temp in Katherine it was min of 15 and max of 35! We still have the light blanket etc.

Lots of lovely bird song to wake us up too then a car zoomed in and 4 people got out with a picnic blanket and sat down to have breakfast and enjoy the view.

The others were keen to get moving as they wanted to get to Katherine to clean and do a few jobs on their vehicles and get in the pool so they headed off at 8am. We will catch up with them on Monday in Katherine. We are in no rush to we slowly had breakfast then I worked on my blog while Steve read his book and enjoyed the view. I have the view out the door which is lovely too.

Two chaps from Mackay pulled in with a 4 wheeler on a trailer and few pig dogs. They are going to a station to hunt pigs. We chatted for a while about the road etc.

Had a cuppa then another chap arrived. He is an electrician from Katherine doing work in Bulman so he is back and forward this road a lot. Very interesting conversation about the ‘homelands’ and what the locals due during the wet etc.

A group of 5 vehicles pulled in and a few wanted to chat to Steve about the truck. Two ladies then arrived in a 4WD motorhome heading to Nhulunbuy too so we gave them a few tips.

We headed off - the fire is still smouldering as we head down the bitumen on the other side of the ‘jump-up’.

Back onto bitumen as we near Beswick Community so Steve pulled over to put more air in the tyres as we are on bitumen from here to Katherine now.

Slowly through the community - stopping for the donkey on the ‘zebra’ crossing.

Stopped by a little creek to have lunch but we couldn’t get down to the creek so just had it in the camper. Steve walked up the road a bit (while I made lunch) as he saw a vehicle half off the road. It was two vehicles with a puncture each but they were under control.

Continued on passing a herd of donkeys over a bank near the road so I didn’t get a photo. A couple of little ones in there too.

Phone reception here and Annalise sent through a beautiful one of Beau in his car seat - he has grown up so much.

Stopped at Maranboy to check out the old tin mining site. According to Wikipedia - in Sept 1913 Maranboy was declared as a goldfield for two years. Tin was discovered in 1913 by prospectors Scharber and Richardson. The mine and battery were operational that year. By 1918 the priced of tin was booming. The battery closed in 1949 for repairs but never reopened.

So much tin and other rubbish scattered about - amazing someone doesn’t at least pick up the loose stuff. We wandered up the hill checking out the centra-fugal funnel things, ball mills and the stamper to crush the rock to extract the tin.

Further across was the ‘workshop’ area with a very long lathe and a small furnace pit.

Big pistons - made in Castlemaine, Melbourne. Just imagine the work involved in bringing all this machinery in and setting it up here. They certainly were all hard workers back in the day.

Up the hill above the stamper.

Around the brick wall to two big tanks with more bits and pieces of machinery scattered about.

Over a long pile of rocks and down the other side.

There are concrete slabs down by the creek which might have been where they lived while working the area.

Continued on and reached the Stuart Highway and headed back towards Katherine.

Into King River Rest Area for the night. Our neighbours from Vic are here too so will catch up with them later.

Steve used the water in the truck to give the back and solar panels on the roof of the camper a wash to get the red dirt off. He gave the engine and wheels a clean too then we ran out of water. The rest isn’t too bad considering.

Drove down to ‘our’ camp spot and set up.

Another 2 vans are parked nearby.

Made a cuppa then walked up to see the Victorian couple. At last we exchanged names - Chris and Graham from Mildura. They were going to stay but are having brake issues on the van and need internet to get some info. They had lunch and were going to head off but then the van step wouldn’t go back in. Steve gave him a hand to pull it off and he will look into that in Katherine too. Their old van never had any issues but the new ones just aren’t as good a quality now. We said bye and hopefully we will bump into them in WA somewhere.

Back to the camper - Steve read and I kept working on my blog. Just need some internet to upload it now. It was a fabulous adventure - so glad we got to explore an amazing part of Australia. Much warmer here, 35 degrees, no sea breeze to keep things cooler.

Joined our new neighbours for drinks. Nigel and Cheryl have been travelling and working (IT consultant) for 22 years so we had lots to chat about.

Spanish mackerel for dinner - yum.

There is a ‘wet dirt’ smell as the night air cools off, like the dust has had a light sprinkle of rain but there are no clouds about.