On the last leg from Kununurra to Broome we stopped overnight at a cattle station named “LARRAWA”.

We selected the site from the CAMPS7 book of camps around Australia.

It turned out to be the same station we stopped at 2 years ago.

It is a bush camp half way between Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing and the campsite is located 4kms off the hwy and near the homestead. The camp is complete with showers and toilets and running water even though it is termed a “bush camp”.

There were only two other families camping on the station when we were there.

After dark all the Milky way was overhead and it looked fantastic. Not a cloud in the sky and stars from horizon to horizon.

After a very quiet camp we were up early and off to Broome.

Arriving at Broome we headed to a small caravan park called the PYCC.

The camp is one of two run by volunteers and the fees go to the local police youth club.

The camps are supposed to be “over flow” camps for the main council operated caravan park but the word has got around and many campers are coming direct to the youth club camps. We were told of the camps by a camper at Kununurra who had the idea that the kids could use the money better than the large “Chain operated parks.”

We had a power less camp the first night but were offered a powered site for the next three nights we are here. First day was a little look at the shops, some refilling the food box and enquiring about our next trek up to Cape Leveque and Middle Lagoon.

Thursday

We have had a quiet stay in Broome so far and leave Saturday morning for Middle Lagoon.

Looking at the shops, reading and I had a couple of hours fishing off the pier but with no luck. The people leaving as I arrived all had large fish to take home and I suspect they had been there for the high tide which I missed.

PIER AT BROOME

Tonight-we had a Chinese dinner and went a couple of doors up the street to the movie theatre and saw Jersey Boys.

The movie theatre was built in 1916 and had it's first talkie in 1930.

It is an open air theatre with about half the seats in the open air and half under cover. The seats are deck chair type seating.

The show was OK but not as good as the live show that was on in Melbourne a while back.

Friday

To day we went to the information service here in Broome to find out about a camel ride tonight at sunset. Instead we left in a hurry to get back to camp to have a quick snack and to get ready to be picked up at 12.20pm to go on an all afternoon whale watching trip.

The driver was 10.00min early and we rushed to pack and get into the bus. A short trip collecting some other people on the way and we were dropped off on the beach opposite the race track where races are in progress today.

The strange boat / vehicle, pictured below picked us up in groups of about ten and ferried us to the larger 30 ft boat anchored about 300 metres off shore.

 IS IT A CAR OR BOAT

 IT TILTS FOR EASE OF ACCESS

THE FIT PASSENGERS CLIMB OVER THE REAR

The boat motor stops about 100metres from the shore and the wheels start rolling and takes the craft up onto the sand. The boat then drops and lays over on one side so the less nimble people can easily climb on board. The hydraulics then lift the boat to a level status so the nimble people can then climb over a wheel and step into the craft. Then seated on the sides we motor out to the “Tradewinds”.

THE TRADEWINDS

All aboard and we receive a safety warning about boat safety and fitting life vests before heading out to sea all watching for a whale. Soon the skipper alerts us to the fact that he has spotted some whales surfacing some distance ahead.

Soon the motor is switched off and after not all that amount of time we have our first whale surfacing not all that distance from all the 50 plus cameras on board.

From then on it was a bit of sailing then stopping then sailing then stopping for the next 4.5 hours. As the whales came close, some came closer and several times they swam straight under the boat.

 THE WHALE WATCHERS

 THERE SHE BLOWS

CAME UP UNDER THE BOAT 

CAME IN CLOSE FOR A LOOK 

THERE'S THAT WOMAN AGAIN!

Some pics of the stars of the afternoon..

During the afternoon we were all provided with drinks, cakes, a cheese platter and an anti pasto tray carried around by the crew.

The crew was made up of the skipper two young girls assisting along the way and a young chap who was a marine biologist to answer any questions we had.

We arrived back to be collected by a bus to take us back to where we were staying about 6.00pm.

An afternoon enjoyed by all.

Tomorrow its off to Middle Lagoon for the wanderers.

Wednesday

The wanderers reached Middle Lagoon about 3.--pm on Saturday after stocking the food box and fuelling the tanks.

Middle Lagoon is about 180km North of Broome. About 30 km of bitumen then about 60km of dirt road. Then some more bitumen then a final 33km of dirt road.

The first stretch of dirt road was a bit of a worry as we had heard that the 200mm of rain that fell a couple of weeks ago had washed out the road. But as we booked our camp site we heard that the graders had just finished grading the road. Well some of it. It has stretches that are a bit rough and provide a bumpy ride.

The second 33km stretch of road is poor to bad with speed humps to slow you down . They are actually washed out gutters that look like a giant speed hump about 800mm high or deep depending on which way you look at them.

Having arrived and set up camp we met the neighbors who promptly gave us a bag full of fresh Trevally fish fillets.

The neighbours are a retired couple who have been here since July 2 and will be here for about a month or two. Sunday he went fishing again and came over with two huge fillets of Mackrel .

His fish had been about 1.4 metres long, so it must have had a few kilos of good fillets.

That night the local school and local children, mostly aboriginal kids. Put on a concert of a mix of traditional and modern dancing for the residents of the campground. The concert commenced with a local chap playing the didgeridoo, while the women folk were selling some chicken dishes with rice or a mix of chilli crabs, turtle and dugon with rice or noodles.

THE MUSICIAN FOR THE NIGHT

The food was followed by several groups of kids of various ages performing the dances. After he kids came some adult dancers doing a selection of traditional aboriginal dances.

ONE OF THE MEN 

HIS PARTNERS

First day was spent walking the beach and relaxing.

 MIDDLE LAGOON BEACH TO THE LEFT

THE BEACH TO THE RIGHT

Second day was a short trip to an isolated restaurant named Whale song.

THE VIEW FROM THE RESTAURANT TABLES

This restaurant sits on a cliff top overlooking an 4 to 5km stretch of white sand beach.

After a snack of sticky date pudding and lemon/lime cheesecake washed down with a banana and a mango smoothy we took to the long trek down the beach and back looking for sea shells.Not as productive as last time but still a few more for the collection.

Third day we were off to Cape Leveque and the Kooljamon resort some 70km further North.

A snack for lunch and we explored the swimming beaches with their pure white sand and sandstone rocky outcrops. This was followed by a trip over the narrow strip of headland to the Western beaches with the same sand but bright rad rocky outcrops. This side of the resort is non swimming due to rips and undertows.

Back home to another feed of fish and resting the feet.

Tomorrow is our last day so we are hoping to post this latest news and walk on the local beach again before we head back to Broome and the start of our return home.

MORE COMING FOLKS.

NOTE:

For those who noticed the Pussy willow tree in the past post, the pussies are not real.

The tree was a prop for a film made in the area and was stuck in the ground near the building. They are not real cats.

But I am sure I saw one flinch when a dog barked closeby.

A LATE PIC OF US BEFORE WE LEFT ALICE

Thursday 17.

Today we made Tennant Creek just on sundown. Got our camp set up and had a cuppa as the sun set.

Not a very interesting drive from Alice but the roads are great.

On the way we came to Wycliffe Well about fourish and met this strange fellow and his vehicle.

THIS CHAP WAS OUT FRONT OF THE ROADHOUSE

WHATS BEHIND THE BLUE DOOR????

HIS MATE IN THE SHOP

Apparently this area of the NT is well known for sightings of UFO's and strange lights in the sky.

Maybe he has something to do with it

The camp here at Tennant Creek is under new management and I think if they work at it the camp should do well.

Tonight we are camped on grass under some smallish trees and there is a slight breeze.

Had stir fry vegetables with honey soy sauce and it was very good even though I do say so my self.

Best thing I brought with us this year is my wok.

Forgot it last time and will always take it from now onwards.

Cutting the veggies thin and small so they cook quick and dinner is ready in a very short time.

Friday 18 and we head up the Stuart Hwy to Daly Waters.

Daly Waters is a couple of pubs and a couple of buildings and Caravan park.

We head off the hwy to the “Daly Waters” pub, as it is known.

THE FRONT OF THE PUB

THE FRONT BAR KNOWN AS THE BRA BAR DUE TO ALL THE BRAS HANGING ABOVE

WONDER HOW THEY COLLECT THEM???

THE DECORATION HERE IS USED UNDIES

There are also caps, business cards, paper money badges etc decorating the walls and ceiling of the pub.

This pub has a history dating back to the 1930's and the great cattle drives of the outback.

Now it is famous for the unique interior and the live music show it has every night.

The caravan park and overflow area fill every night with travellers there for a Barra or Beef, BBQ and of course a cold drink

The current live show is split with a chap dressed like a bikie with the armless denim jacket and his part is singing and reciting verse about many topics.

The second singer is an old rock and roller from way back who sings quite a lot of the oldies and gets the travellers up on their feet or clapping along.

A good feed and a nice nights entertainment.

By 10.00am the next day the parks are just about empty and all are on their way.

Friday

Heading North we are on the way to Katherine, another town with history.

Many years ago this town was part of the Northern Territory and not a state of the country.

Many of the residents were hiding out from the law in other states as there was no extradition agreement with the law in the other states.

Made a couple of stops along the way to have a look at a couple of the local attractions.

This was after talking to a couple at the dinner last night.

WHERE'S THE DRINKS

First was the Pink Panther pub.

Well not exactly the pub, but the free zoo that the owner has around the pub.

Many native birds and animals including a crocodile that was about 4 or 5 metres long.

We were going to have a snack and drink at the pub , but the facilities looked a bit too outback.

Just up the road was another house with boards out the front advertising the best food around with scones and cream, so in we went for morning tea. Nice cuppa with a large scone and a slice of a walnut cake.

Next stop a bit further up the Hwy was “Bitter Springs” at Mataranka.

VERY CLEAR HOT SPRINGS

This is a hot spring flowing through a pool about 50 to 100 metres long and surrounded by palms.

Looked inviting but due to time and travel we have opted to return to the spring on our way back South.

As we heard that the Katherine Show was on that day and all the parks were full we called ahead and found that we could get in at a caravan park on the bank of the river.

On arrival we met the owners who are real outback people and we were to set up our camp on their front lawn in what, with a little work would be a fantastic tropical garden. The lady even made us a cuppa after we had set up camp and her husband entertained us with stories of his experiences with the local aboriginals and setting up their property. We were invited to a family BBQ that night as all their family were in town.

After the cuppa we went to have a look at the local Katherine Annual show.

Like a scaled down Melbourne show.

Looked at some of the art works etc and had a late lunch which was a baked potato with salad and sour cream.

Wandering around in the heat an ice cream sounded pretty cool but after they came, it turned out to be two huge servings in a waffle cone and filled us up and cancelled any thought of dinner.

Off to the grandstand to watch some horse activities until it was time to head back to our camp.

Heading off to our nightly shower before bed was an experience not to be missed..

We were shown where the toilets were but in the dark it looked very different.

Wandering around we came to a building as a chap came out. He showed us that the building was indeed the toilets and showers, oh but we sure got a shock and couldn't wait to get out of there. I have no idea  how old they were but obviously there has never been any maintenance done on them.

The rest you had to experience.

Next day we packed and left as quick as we could.

Into town for some milk and supplies and off we go towards Kununurra.

VICTORIA RIVER ROADHOUSE

Part way down the Hwy we stopped at Victoria River for a cuppa.

Lovely spot in the middle of a national park surrounded by rocky cliffs.

Had a cuppa and a huge chocolate cookie about the size of a bread and butter plate for only $3.50.

It was made by the young lass serving behind the counter and yummy.

OVERLOOKING THE VICTORIA RIVER

The above pic was just down the road from the roadhouse.    A bit of a surprise to see so much water in a river way out here.   It is also a CROC river so no swimming signs are posted.

Further down the track we calculated that we would reach Kununurra that night but had a lot of fruit and vegs in the fridge.

About 4.00pm we came to another local national park so we went in to the rangers station and put the camp stoves on and cooked up some vegs and tuna for dinner and put all our excess vegs in the fridge,  to heat the next night.

The vegs had to be cooked or they would have been taken by the fruit fly people on the border.

As it was they took our cucumber, onions, celery and half a jar of honey.

The chap who went through our car and trailer also took our peelings from the cooked vegs but did not want me to put the vegs in with the scraps when I offered. Maybe he wanted a couple of onions for his dinner.

Down the road and we arrived in Kununurra just after dark and made our way to the camp site.

Set up camp and had a cuppa

We now have our washing in the laundry and blogging and reading before we get to bed.

Tomorrow we head cross country towards Broome and some rest from the travel.

About 60km before Alice Springsis a place named “ Rainbow Valley”. We were told it was a must see place.

22 km of soft wet red dirt road and wee agree it is a “must see” place.

It is a camp ground with fire places, gas BBQ's, tables and chairs under cover and patches of wild flowers. The attraction is some rock formations with various coloured rocks.

ENTRY SIGN POST

22 KM OF GRITTY MUD ROAD

 MANY COLOURED ROCK

 MUSHROOM ROCK

 ROCK ARCH

LEIGH FINDING WILD FLOWERS

A large peak and a couple of lesser peaks of coloured rocks with amazing textured surfaces.

We wandered around here for a while until it threatened to rain so we returned to the car and back ot the road. By the time we arrived back to the bitumen the car was red from the mud and there was about 10mm of red mud on the door steps and all over the trailer and back of the car.

By the time we got to Alice our rig looked like it had been in a Mad Max movie and easily would have won a worst looking vehicle in the camp ground.

We arrived in Alice the day after the coldest day temperature on record and the rain finished.

The next couple of days were fine with 20 deg days but still cool mornings..

BED OF THE FINKE RIVER IN ALICE

TODD MALL

WE ARE A LONG WAY FROM ANYWHERE

We went to a musical show last night with a trio of musicans playing different types of  didgeridoos.    and percussion bongo etc.   It was a sound and light show with outback pictures on a screen and flashing lights.

At the end all the audience get involved with clap sticks, rattles, bongos and a couple on the didgeridoo.

  

everyone really got into the theme and made lots of noise.   A very good night out.

The main musician is looking at touring soon with a show and I hope he does well.

A pair of local painters preparing a new mural in one of the shopping centers.   Projecting a picture on the canvas with an overhead projector and then tracing the outline on the surface.

A bit of rest, shopping and refill the food boxes and we are off to Tennant Creek and hopefully warmer nights and mornings. Aiming at four to five days of travel and arrival at Broome and warm sand and water at the beach

Wednesday 9 July.

We are still in the Flinders Ranges near Wilpena.

We have just got back from a few hours looking around the country side.

Most of the day has been raining along with a cold wind.

Most of the hills are hidden with low cloud so you do not get the full view of the country side and mountains. Hard to get good photos.

We had a look at some indigenous art petroglyphs at a place called “Sacred Valley” about 20 min up the highway. Some old carvings in the silt stone/slate that lines a creek bed for some distance.

They are reported to be very old and many have almost faded away.

 Circles  in rock

 assorted carvings

 AN OLD TREE TRUNK IN THE CREEK NEAR THE ROCK ART

 ONE OF THE LOCALS WATCHING US PASS BY

After the rock art we travelled a loop up through the Wilpena pound park then on through the Brachina Gorge with all it's many rock formations dating 590 plus million years back.

Apparently there were many small land owners in the area back in the early 1800's but a long drought wiped most of them out. The land owners now are huge in comparison and have more than just sheep to keep them afloat.

A CLEAR SHOT BETWEEN RAIN DRIZZLE

UNUSUAL ROCK FORMATION

Thursday 10

An early start today as the power to the camp ground went off yesterday before lunch and we had no heating and only torch lighting to cook dinner and get ready for bed.

A cold cold night.

After breakfast we went on touring the gorges again this time further north

CAVE IN SIDE OF HILL

At least we can see a bit better today as the cloud has lifted a little,

On our travels today we saw quite a few kangaroos and emus all looking very healthy.

Almost had kangaroo for dinner as a young one skipped across the road just as I was concentrating on a sharp rock ledge on the road. Just a bit slow to collect him on the bull bar for dinner

Almost had a problem as at the end of some gorge travel I pulled into Parachilna to refuel only to find they stopped selling fuel some three years ago. So much for latest maps.

Luckily there was a small village some 17km away that were able to fill up the less than a quarter tank I had and get back to camp.

Friday 11

Left the Flinders today and headed up the Oonadatta track.

AN OLD TOWNSHIP ON THE WAY

GOOD TO HAVE A PLACE NAMED AFTER YOURSELF

 Reached Maree today and made camp there. By lunch time the weather had fined up and it became quite warm. The manager of the park informed us that today was the warmest day they have had for three weeks. Bit rugged compared to some other camps but slept well until about 5.30 when the cold crept in.

THE DELUXE CABIN AT MAREE

The road to Maree is about half bitumen and the remaining section stoney and bits of bitumen in the dips where the flood water crosses the road.

Saturday 12.

Left Maree and reached Coober Pedy.

The track is a bit rugged until you reach William Creek.

About 2 hours out of Maree we came to an outdoor art exhibition.

Not sure of who and why it is here but it is quite good.

DONATED PLANES SHIPPED OUT HERE FOR FREE

QUIET LITTLE CHAP

WHICH ONE IS THE IRON MAN

William creek has grown from the last time I was here, 25 years ago when it was a pub and the small planes used to land in the street in front of the pub. Today it is a pub which is bigger, a cafe a couple of houses, and the planes have their own landing strip. It looks like the Aeroplane people run the cafe and they have two planes on the deck. I suspect that the joy flight business has grown due to Lake Eyre having water in it for the tourists to have a look at.

DIFFERENT PUSSY WILLOW

After William Creek and a home made pastie for lunch we carried on up the Track.

About 30km up the Track comes in very close to Lake Eyre South and you can see that it looks to still be half full of water. It is half white salt flat, with a blue spread of water going into the distance.

LAKE EYRE SOUTH

Past William Creek the track changes into a far better road surface with stretches of sand instead of the stoney surface of the morning. Instead of averaging about 70km an hour we were almost up to highway speed and good travelling. In places here and there we came across patches of wild flowers.

CATTLE CROSSING ROAD

Had a strange noise start up here and not sure of cause maybe loose jack or spare wheel.  Stops once you get going.

.We arrived in Coober Pedy about 4.0pm and set up camp ready for an early night.

Coober Pedy is an overnight stop and heading up the Stuart Highway tomorrow, probably to Kulgera which is on the SA/ NT border.

Sunday 13

Well, today after a good drive following two road trains for a hunded or so kms we arrived in the Striking, blistering, sunburnt , Northern Territory. The road trains were sitting on 100kms an hour so I just sat behind them and followed along.

The rain started as we crossed the border and now it is pouring down.

We chickened out of setting up camp in the rain and we are settled into a motel for the night at Erldunda. About 70km North of the SA border and quite a nice place very well appointed and warm and dry in the room.

Tomorrow we are off to see how far Alice Springs.!!!

About 200km up the road.