Month: August 2019

Before leaving we did a drive around the town. Nicely done up to encourage the tourists.

These next couple of photos I took with you in mind Yolande.

From town we headed out to the woolsour. For someone who has never had much to do with sheep, I found it so interesting and a great look back in time. Glad Chris found it and we took the time to do the tour. The shearing sheds have all been restored and the machinery is all working. An inspiration by some townsfolk that has turned out well.

The sheep and one extra friendly billy goat just wandering around and lapping up all the attention from the visitors.

On to Augathella to stay the night. Not much here but we do like this little town with it’s claim to fame of being the town that the movie *Smiley * was about.

If you are wondering what this is its a meat ant. .. ok.

After a quite night, our first stop next day was in Mitchell. Had a very nice relaxing spa in the hot artesian water . It was 40c.

Its been looking like rain, so we pulled into a camp spot at Miles, and went to bed with the chooks.

Next morning there was evidence of the overnight rain, which was music to our ears on the van roof. Morning tea at Cecil Pains then on to see the artwork in Millmerran.

Now for our last night before home. It was raining and cold for our liking. So a quick walk around the park in Leyburn and an early night.

Was it cold this morning !! Only 2c . And frost all around. Car windscrean covered in ice. Brrrr. Thats it folks, only a few hours to Casino, and the comforts of home. But hey I would not change this lifestyle and experience for the world . For those that have followed us in the last 18mths, thank you for your support. Good health and remember to *LIVE Life Large.*

After leaving Mary Kathleen, our first stop was at Chinamans Dam.

Back into Cloncurry, who should we run into but Stacky on his way to Townsville. So pulled up in a side street for a cuppa. Not getting far, but thats ok.

On our way again, next it was up to get a pic of the painted water tower and a view over Cloncurry township.

Finally we made it into Winton, and settled on a camp spot beside the long water hole. Lots of birds there, I especially like watching the little ones in nests, squarking for their dinner.

In the last photo you can see a bug in the mother’s beak, that she is about to feed the squarking chick. Wish it was a clearer photo. A nice relaxing place to spend the night and watch the sun set. by

The next day was through a few more small towns, then a lunch stop in Longreach. Seems strange to see clouds in the sky after clear blue skyes for months.

A pink truck in a park somewhere caught my eye while topping up our water tanks.

Next we went out to see 12 mile dam. Very interesting how they placed rocks to build spillways and hold water. Must of been so back breaking, manually placing the rocks.! As we travel around, it truly is amazing seeing the work that was done in the early days.

Back to nature …looked up to see these little ones in their mud nest, and a neat one at that.

If your not sure what this is …it’s a big yellowbelly fish at Isisford ..hmmm.

Next we made it into Blackall, and set up camp on the Barcoo river, not much water, but a lot of other travellers.

Over the border and into Queensland, and yes we’re still seeing lots of cattle on the roads. We have been in touch with a chap that worked with Chris in Port Hedland and is now working out of Mt Isa. Stacky talked us into going out and staying in the transport yard where he’s working. We had a lovely catch up and a barbecue that night with some of the other truck drivers. Not sure what time the boys finished up, but when I left to go to bed, they were all telling tall stories around the gidgee camp fire.

While staying in Mt Isa we did some sightseeing. Went out to Moondarra lake. There are lots of picnic areas and plenty of beautification being done. I especially liked Peacock park, with all its peacocks wandering around. I had fun with the camera ther, just love their colours .

After a relaxing time in the parks we went out to find the old uranium mine. Took the 4 wheel drive track up the side of the cliffs. Started out not too bad, but then started to become scary. I think we took the wrong road !! After more climbing and the track almost diminishing, we were sure that we had taken the wrong road. I tried to settle my nerves by taking photos of the spectacular views. Didn’t help much, especially when Chris had to do a 10 point turn, when the rough terrain got the better of the Triton.

Phew !! Was I glad when we finally got back down and found another road in. What a great sight to see the blue water and rock work around the old open cut mine.

After our stay in Mt Isa, the next day we travelled out to Mary Kathleen. The old town site, built to accommodate the miners and their families, when the mine was open. Apparently there were over a thousand living there back in the 50s. It is now privately owned, but opened to the public for free camping and fossicking.

There is a map showing what buildings were where, including shops, churches, school and other facilities. All the buildings have been removed, leaving just the cement slabs, perfect for parking a caravan on. We intended to stay a day and ended up staying 5 I think . Once Chris got his metal detector out and started finding old coins and little treasures, he didn’t want to leave.

I was happy just to wander around seeing the remains of swimming pools, gardens and pathways. The tennis courts are still visible and some town centre rock walls. The creek is dry and is edged by white gums.

Of an evening the cattle come wandering around. We had camp fires each night and I also liked watching the birds come and go from their nest in trees nearby.

Corella Dam is another area not far down the road, we had a day visit, but decided that Mary Kathleen was a the best place we have free camped in some time.

Guess Corella Dam area would have more birds as there is water running through the park, also a very pretty area.

We really must get a move on if we are going to be home by the end of the month.

Just one more pick from the Butterfly Farm, amazing that they come and land on you as you wander through there enclosure.

Another interesting place to see was the WWII camp at Snake Creek, not far from Bachelor. Still has remains of the buildings, and dug in storage sheds, as well as a lot of old beds and such in dump piles.

The railway lines are still there as well as the remains of some bridges.

Chris decided he just had to put the Triton in one of the shelters for a pic. Plenty of room and well hidden under the the ground.

We made our way to Mataranka, and stayed at friends of Chris’s. They were in the surf club together, many moons ago. A beautiful home cooked meal that night, and lots of reminiscing. A great catch up.

The next morning before leaving the area we travelled a short distance to Bitter Springs for a swim. Its a lovely park and you can swim/float for about 100 meters, through the bush. Chris had some fun with his underwater camera.

Next it was a late lunch and watch Carlton win the football on the tv at the Daly Waters Pub.

So much stuff hanging around in there. Interesting to see ,but you could never get to read it all.

We decided that it was only right to add some Jodies Inspiration to the collection.

Just a fuel stop at the Three Ways,before finding a camp spot for the night. Under a bridge at Camooweal just before the Queensland border. So that was it for the Northern Territory.

As you can tell I just loved this place. Would go back in a heartbeat. The infinity pool was cool to get into, but once in I could of stayed in for ages, Chris got in once, but I couldn’t convince him again. The weather was perfect.

After a final swim for me and lots of photos, we left the caravan park about 9.30. Before long and we had crossed over the border into the Northern Territory.

We stayed at Bachelor for 5 days at a youth camp . No youths there,!! In fact there was only one other couple that stayed for a couple of nights. A well kept secret, lovely grounds, nice caretakers, lots of birds, another top spot to spend a few days exploring the area.

There is a creek running through the property, and there was a canoe we could borrow, but there was no way I was getting in that water, just a very quick walk along a track, then I was out of there, after all we are in the N T.

The caretaker loves his garden and has put in a memorial tree garden, and has a lovely lot of desert roses growing, as well as other well cared for shrubs.

It really is a birds paradise. Each morning and evening I sat and watched the birds come and go, so peaceful.

A day in Darwin, to do some shopping .Also had time while staying here to catch up on washing and cooking. We also visited the WWII cemetery at Adelaide River. They have Desert Roses planted between the plaques and the area is both beautiful and peaceful. Not sure if I got photos of all the different colours, but I tried.

Out in Litchfield there is a place called The lost City, sure could get lost among all the unusual rocks. We spent quite some time in there, just wandering and taking too many photos. At least that made the horrible, 4 wheel drive, road in, worth it.

Litchfield is one of the most beautiful parks . We have been through it before and visited the many springs, so this time we saw a different side. Years ago you could drive around the huge termite mounds, but now there is a parking area and walking tracks with viewing platforms.

We also visited the butterfly farm at Batchelor, it was more than I expected, loved it, and didn’t Chris look cute with a butterfly on his nose!

So many different coloured butterflies, as well as a restaurant and a animal nursery, and a overgrown garden with all sorts of vegetables bearing fruit. It really is a jungle out there.

The weeks are going fast and we want to be home by the end of August, so time to leave here. On our last evening the sun was like a ball of fire, just like you expect a Northern Territory sunset to be.

We are staying at Lake Argyle Resort till this saturday. It’s lovely to get up early and go for a walk around before the other 500 plus campers get on the move. You can do as much or little as you like each day.

We are camped in the first row, right near the check in point. Each day we watch the stream of travelers, lined up to get a site, it’s quite entertaining. Sometimes after lunch there can be 2 lines going back out to the road. The attendants do a great job getting them sorted and on site quickly… We’ve done some more driving around and 4 wheel, hill climbing a drive into Kununurra to do shopping, and morning tea out at the Hoochery Rum Distillery.since staying here.

On thursday we went on a Sunset Cruise, we were transferred by coach down to the boat ramp, and headed out by 2.30pm.

There are over 90 islands in the lake , and the lake itself is one of the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. Depending on the time of day the colors of the landscape change. So glad we chose the Sunset cruise, it was the most spectacular sunset I have ever experienced.

We stopped to see the fresh water crocks sunning themselves, fed fish and wallaroos. Our tour guide/captain,was great fun and very informative.

The hew in the evening all around was beautiful, just before the sun set.

Then it was time to tie the boat to a boy, and jump overboard into about 30 meters of water, and have drinks and nibbles as the sun went down. It was just magic.!!

Chris attempted to take some selfie photos, but its not easy to do in freshwater. They gave us noodles to help keep us buoyant ! We stayed in the water for about half an hour,and when we got back onboard afternoon tea served. What a fun time, we all had, of course I think the wine helped to add to some of the fun and laughter

Just when you think it couldn’t get any better the sun set and the afterglow on the water was brilliant.

That’s it for now, one more swim in the morning, then pack and leave this idyllic place. Not sure where the next stop will be.

What an awesome area, we looked at this place in 2008 and I’ve been hanging out to stay here since leaving Broome ,earlier. You can’t book ahead, so we left our overnight camp and arrived by 8am. There was only one campervan ahead of us. The system is you line up at the gate where you are met by the friendliest of attendants, who allocate you a site ( if there is one) you then pay, go back out to one of attendants, who hop on a push bike and take you to your site. The early bird catches the worm !! What a top spot. We are opposite the shop, about 30 meters from the infinity pool and garden restaurant.

The gardens are well maintained and the amenities are all individual onsites. as well there is all the facilities for campers and grassed areas for the back packers to seep on. After setting up we went for a drive up to the lookout and around the picnic areas.

That’s it for now, the computer is flat and it’s time to get organized for the boat cruise this evening. Living life large and will be out of my comfort zone jumping in the lake for a swim with the freshwater salties !!!!..

Another quiet night pulled up beside a dry river bed, near a bridge,in the Kimberley.

On the road early again and heading toward Wyndham. Had a quick stop down by the old Ord River crossing, before travelling over the new bridge. So much roadwork has been upgraded in the last 10 years. Doesn’t seem as remote now, and of cause so many travellers on the road these days.

Looking on Wiki Camps, to see what was next, I came across a point of interest that said Marlgu Billabong. So that’s a must do. A bit of a trek in, but so worth it. There is a boardwalk and bird viewing hut on the edge of the water, complete with seating.

Also some fish and a big fat salt water crock. It was amazing to watch how close the ducks were going to him, I think he was so full, he couldn’t fit any more in. Police arrived, while we were there and seemed to be interested in him, so I guess he will be moved on before he gets to the viewing area. Just need to be very vigilant in these areas.

I could of sat there all day just watching the birds enjoying the water, but an hour was better than nothing. On the way out we stopped to look at an old telegraph station, not much there now, just a lot of boab trees.

Next stop was a the Grotto. There is 144 steps going down the rockface to a water hole below. Not that good that we felt the need to go down to the bottom.

Chris found this little fellow, and I feel he was more interesting and rather cute.

Wyndham was the next stop, not that there is much there either, however we did find some statues in a park that we hadn’t seen before.

There is a new Jetty out into the Ord River, which has brightened up the place, but other than that the town seems to be dying. Had a bit of fun with the camera, or Chris thought he was being funny.

Before we headed out we stopped at the site where the original township was built, where there is the remains of a stone house.

That night we travelled out to stay in a parking area over the W A / N T border as it was the clostest to Lake Arygle where we hope to get into for a few days. It will be our special to do this trip .

Early on the road this morning as we are trying to make a mile as they say. We had a a quick look around Halls Creek, still nothing of interest there, so we kept going. Then we saw the sign for Geikie Gorge, well we hadn’t been there, we have time …. next we knew we were off on a boat cruise through the Gorge. Much better than hiking it.!

I had fun with the camera from the back of the boat while Chris sat back and enjoyed the ride. So many photos, and the cost was reasonable at $35 each. We don’t normally spend money on this type of thing, but so glad we did.

Saw lots of fresh water Crocks around the banks. They have such a hideous smile , i think.

We were on the water for a good hour and travelled the full length of the gorge. There isn’t much bird life around at the moment due to the drought, however we did see some little rainbow birds, but couldn’t get a good photo from the moving boat. Of coarse there is always a shag or two hanging around water.

Underneath the overhanging rocks there are mud nests of little birds, not sure which ones, but must be small

On the road again we crossed the Fitzroy River, which has a new bridge since we were here in 2008. We were for a walk down and had a look at the old crossing as well.

Leaving Broome we started heading East, so no more west coast sunsets, we have enjoyed the sun and surf of the north west lately, now for the Kimberley. It’s been a dry, wet season, this year so no doubt it will be dry river beds, and not as lush as we were hoping.

First stop was Derby, not much to see here, a boab prison tree, which they held prisoners in many moons ago and Australia’s longest feed trough. Also have huge tides here around 9 metres we took a walk out on the jetty, then had a cuppa and back on the road again.

That night we found a nice farm stay at Lake Ellendale to camp. So good of the property owners to allow campers in there. The cows were extra friendly and plenty of birdlife around the remaining water. This one particular cow, thought she would like to go vaning with us, even checked out the sleeping arrangements.

next morning it was time to head out, this was a lovely, peaceful overnighter.