20/9/25 Around Alice

    

     Here we are in Alice Springs for 8 days , time to shop for some food - with the hordes of other people who have come to town on pension day . All these people , and some with dubious health , brought some bug with them , and I came down with it . So it was cold & flu tablets for several days with a rotten head cold - that Lyn came down with later in the week . 

   Recovered enough to go to one of our favourite places - Alice Springs Desert Park . There are different areas showing the areas of the desert . There are also huge bird ovaries that you can walk into with the birds , some you can watch the birds & animals through screens . This little Numbat was pretty active while we were there , pulling this log apart looking for a meal .

     This Perentie was flat out doing absolutely nothing - must have just finished his breakfast .

     This red tailed black cockatoo was busy sorting out his feathers .

     This one took a shine to Lyn's hair , must have looked good for the nest ????

     This is a Princess Parrot , nice colours and obviously needed some extra shut eye .

    This decorated lizard was one of the locals - no cages required , it lives here .

     Some flowers were out , this is the desert section , hence the orange sand .

     We wandered around to the birds of prey show , and were going to sit down and wait for the gates to open , when we came across the star of the show - or one of the stars , with one of the handlers . They sit together to get used to each other and bond together . His previous handler is leaving , so this young guy is taking over and developing a bond with the Wedgetailed Eagle . The young guy is currently the commentator / presenter for the show . We sat down in another shelter as we were requested to do , so as not to worry the bird .

    The birds of prey show was run and done in no time - about 20mins - and it hasn't changed since we were here last , still a great show .

    Another day we headed out for a drive into the West Macdonnell Ranges , firstly to Honeymoon Gap , where a creek has cut it's way through the range .

     Then it was across to Simpsons Gap for a walk down to the main pool where it has also cut its way through the range .

    We had a drive out to the East MacDonnell Ranges another day , checking out Emily Gap , Jesse Gap and Corroboree Rock . The caravan park we stayed at was very popular with families and bus groups , making for a busy time - it was school holidays - bad timing on our part !! 

   Onward to our next stop - Uluru .

5/9/25 Into the Territory

   

 

    Leaving Kununurra , we head east into Northern Territory - yes we have left WA , surprising I know !!

We had a couple of nights at free camps on our way to Katherine , the roads through & around Timber Creek were a bit on the horrible side , the results of extra traffic and flooding . Getting into Katherine , we stopped near the river for some lunch , before shopping and fueling up . Instead of stopping in Katherine we headed north , stopping just near the entrance to Edith Falls for the night . We set up and drove the 19klms down to the falls to go for a cooling swim - temperatures were in the mid thirties , and the water was very refreshing .

     It was so nice that we decided to stay for another 3 nights , so booked into the campground so we'd be a walk away from this little piece of paradise . The days were spent cooling down with a swim , followed by lunch , then another swim . On the morning we were due out , we packed up and parked in the carpark and went for another swim before lunch , had lunch and another swim before we left . Reluctantly we left Edith Falls and headed back toward Katherine , stopping at an old quarry for the night .

  We headed to Katherins again for some food & fuel , before continuing south to Mataranka . We stopped at Territory Manor CP - they have a swimming pool - even though there is Bitter Springs just down the road . There's a common theme happening at the moment , we heat up , we cool down - the weather is certainly flexing its muscles - the heat continues in the mid thirties again this week . We did venture out occasionally , next photo shows the thermal pool at Mataranka Homestead - Elsey NP. The water comes out of the ground about 30m away from the pool . It's a really nice area with palm trees all around , walkways to take you down to the pool , formed walls and ledges to sit on in the pool . It runs at around 34 degrees , so not a refreshing dip 

   

      Bittter Springs is the one we prefer , as it's just the natural spring fed creek that flows , and you just float down with the current . The water is the same temperature as Mataranka , there are steps to enter and exit the pool and at the end of the float down . We went early one day and there were very few people there , making for a very pleasant float down the springs . It was really nice just floating along looking up at the palms towering overhead , and pandanus bordering the spring - it was also nice not to have lots of noisy people haha .

     After 6 days at Mataranka , it was time to continue south ( the weather was also better for heading that way ) . We found a free camp beside on old windmill and some stockyards , and we had it to ourselves , apart from a few cattle . After setting up , having lunch and doing some reading , we heard a helicopter flying in - next minute it was landing 40m away from us . Then there were more cattle , some motorbikes and a couple of utes - they were mustering the cattle into the yards . Hmmm , I knew what that meant , cows & calves mooing and generally making noise for hours to come , probably all night as well - time to pack again and find another spot for the night .

     About 50 kms down the road was another restaurant area beside an old windmill and broken bore tank , the downside , it was between the highway and the railway . There was one train that came through and gave us a good blast on the horns - fortunately it wasn't late , the highway was also quiet .

     Another day , another drive down the highway . Through to Tennant Creek for some fuel and water , then on to our next nights stop . It's another gravel pit / waterhole in the wet season , but we had it to ourselves again . There was a nice tree beside us for some shade , as the temps are still in the mid thirties. 

     Wildflowers are starting to emerge , we see a lot of Cockroach Bush around the place , and it looks stunning when you see acres of orange/red . The colour comes from the seed pods , not flowers .

     And these are the flowers - boy do they set a lot of seed pods !!

     Next day we drove about 30klms to Devils Marbles , stopping for a wander around some of the marbles . As you can see , the marbles are rather large chunks of granite , some of which are splitting and all are gradually weathering away .

     Back on the road again and we drive toward these flat topped hills not long before we arrive at Barrow Creek .

   The Old Telegraph Station is one of only four left still standing , it has had some refurbishing though .

    The walls are about 450mm thick , made of stone and cement , the floors are also stone and cement . There's a coach house and a blacksmiths shed up the back . We chatted to the ranger who was there to do a little cleaning and general repairs , he covers a huge area . 

   Continuing down the highway , we check a couple of rest areas out , lunch at one and a quick stop at another , and we decided to continue on to Aileron and stay at the caravan park for the night . Tomorrow we head into Alice Springs , with all the bad publicity it's had in recent times , we're a little bit concerned , but not bothered too much . We'll find out soon enough .

12/9/25 Back driving around

 

    Here we are again , driving up to Broome for a look around . We managed to get a spot for 3 days , extend for another 3 , then another 2 , before it was time to get moving again . There's been some changes in Broome , a brand new jetty beside the old one , it is nearly finished . The old jetty is in front in this photo .

    It wouldn't be a visit to Broome without a sunset at the southern end of Cable Beach .

      The red pindan cliffs around the bay always get our attention as well , such a contrast in colours .

     Looking toward Cable Beach from Gantheaume Point at low tide .

    Paspaley Pearls Showroom , love the moulded glass in the doors and above , would have cost a fortune.

     We happened to be in Broome for the start of the Shinju Matsuri Pearling Festival . There was a street parade with floats and a dragon .

     There were floats from the local schools , fire brigade and rescue squads and others . They were armed with water pistols and sprayed everyone - I shielded the camera and copped a blast in the back .

      With the festival kicking off , we decided it was time to head off and get ready for our departure in the morning . We spent most of our time swimming and catching up with several people we have met here and other campsites . 

     Next morning we packed up and put our swimmers on , time for a dip before we leave to cool down , and we don't know when we'll be getting another pool for a dip . 

     The highway heading up to Derby was busy with lots of caravans heading to Broome . We stopped along the way at a rest area and had some lunch , before deciding to continue on to another rest area east of Derby toward Fitzroy Crossing . Its claim to fame is a large Boab tree . We didn't get this one to ourselves unfortunately , sharing it with 5 other vans and a rooftop tenter .

     Another warm night , and we got organised and headed off to Fitzroy Crossing for some fuel . We didn't worry about checking out town , and kept going to another favourite spot Ngumpan Cliff Rest Area. Trouble is the word has got out , we had to share it with about 50 other vans etc - may as well been in a caravan park ! 

     The area on the western side of the rest area has been burnt in the last 6 months , and wildflowers were starting to come out , as well as spinifex . This shows how high above the valley we were .

     Here are some of them , fortunately for us we had the last spot beside the fence , and nobody came and setup on the other side , so we were lucky enough to have space around us .

     Next day we headed toward Halls Creek , finding a campsite along the Tanami Track about 6klms from the highway . We thought we were going to have it to ourselves , but another van turned up , there was plenty of room though . 

    Sunset was good again , and we had a peaceful night .

    Next day we got sorted and headed into Halls Creek to get some fuel . With all the dramas that have been reported lately , we were a little apprehensive , but it was early in the day and we had no problems at all . Up the road another 110 kms or so , we pulled up at another rest area at Dunham River for the night .

   Heading toward Kununurra we found there had been bushfires in lots of places - not just your average burn offs - these went to the top of the mountain ridges and beyond . There was a large section of roadworks as well - well overdue !! 

   We drove into town and parked at the visitor info , going across to a nice green park with lots os large trees . There were some large crimson flowers on the ground below one - they were the size of my hand . They were from the Sausage Tree - the fruit of the tree appear like sausages - I wouldn't want to be hit by one falling from the tree , as they are quite weighty .

    One of our days out was to the Butterfly Cave . We'd visited it before , but thought we'd have another look , and we also wanted to check out the Old River Irrigation Area . There were thousands of butterflies again , most were just resting , hanging from the rock ceiling .

     This is the cave , fresh water is flowing out of the cave in a small stream , creating a cool oasis in amongst the heat of the adjacent scrub .

     Another day we headed out to Ivanhoe Crossing , here it is in the background - behind the 2 photo bombers . 

     This is the view from the western side of the crossing - I spotted a barramundi here that was about 1m long !!

    Out in the irrigation area , the newest crop is cotton . Seems the sandalwood plantations are slowly being removed and cotton is taking over .Most of the are in this photo has or had cotton growing . If you can enlarge the photo , you can see all the round cotton modules ( round bales ) in lines - there are hundreds waiting to be transported to the cotton gin .

     This is the very new cotton gin that processes the cotton modules into bales . It wasn't here 3 years ago when we were here , the modules were being trucked to Queensland for processing , so that will save with a lot of transport costs .

    We've spent the rest of our time keeping cool in the pool and getting the van back into shape . Time to head off again tomorrow . Here's a map link:- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=194QfKbxsb1feVNkH6tk9BAwwuD_zomg&usp=sharing

26/8/25 Catchup time

    Back again , thought we'd disappeared ?, well we did for a while , but here's a condensed version of the year so far .

 Starting back in March , we headed toward the goldfields again , stopping in several towns along the way to Kalgoorlie . You have to stop and check out the superpit , as it changes so much year to year . It's being expanded and more and more ground being dug up . It's like watching ants move around -  very busy !!

 

  Then we headed back to Leonora , stopping overnight at Lake Goongarrie , a salt lake that we've stopped at previously - it is huge !!

    Leonora has had plenty of rain over summer and it  shows , with lots of water still around . 

    We spent 3 months in and around Leonora trying our luck , some good , some bad . This is a good spot .

      It wouldn't be our blog without a sunset or 2 .

   And yes , it did rain while we were out bush , this was one downpour .

   We met a few of the locals as well .

      And a Gecko .

   And a Pebble Dragon .

    Campfires were a popular addition .

      There are plenty of old mine shafts around the place , some nearly 8m deep - a decent hazard !!

Yes another one .

     As the Winter was starting to get colder , the gold disappeared , so we headed north to warm up . Even the termites have attitude . This was up north about 30 kms south of Newman at a great campsite we'd stayed at previously .

     This is a sculpture at Newman - it's been done in stone , and looks cool .

     We had a few wide loads to negotiate , fortunately we met them in wider sections where we could get off the road far enough .

     A drive north always has to have a stop at Albert Tognolini Lookout , the views and scenery are stunning .

     Fires had burnt through the area in the earlier part of the year , it changes the look of it a lot - it's also a very popular free camp now - there would have been 50 vans staying that night .

     Up to Karratha so someone could have a look at our fridge - making strange noises . A service call and a few adjustments made , the noise had gone ( it has returned again , but not as loud or regular ) .

    Sturt Desert Peas are out in flower , and are a stunning flash of colour .

     From Karratha we head to Port Hedland for a hectic night at the free camp at the racecourse - people everywhere , it's unbelievable how many people are travelling now !!

    From Port Hedland , we drove out toward Marble Bar , finding a nice free camp at Coongan Long Pool , lots of people there as well , but we went further up the track and picked a good spot away from the soft gravel beside the river , it also had no one really near us . This is it , we are on the left of centre .

      This is looking down the river bed to the north - the river bed is about 500m wide , and would have been flowing all over that and some more in the floods earlier this year !!

  This hardy old grevillea was out in flower .

    We drove out to Dooleena Gorge - only a few kilometres south of us . It's another popular camp site , but had been washed out badly by the floods - we drove through bull dust and gravel to get there - glad we didn't bring the van here to stay , it would have been a huge challenge just to get it in without getting bogged down, so much gravel , dirt and silt has been moved and deposited here .

    Into Marble Bar and a look at Chinaman's Pool , it also changed with the flooding ( it's the same river as where we are camping ) . It's now very wide and long since we were here last .

     After a week here we decided it was time to go further north to Broome and beyond , but that's another story .