Kununurra to Alice and Adelaide

11^thJuly 2012

Back into the caravan at Hidden Valley caravan park in Kununurra to unpack the car and clean all the camping gear and car, ready to head off again.

On the first day back we found that the 12 volt water pumps were not working in the van, started to investigate and found the gas hot water heater was not working either, was OK on electricity but that’s no good as a lot of our stops are at free or unpowered sites.

John found a blown fuse but every attempt to replace it culminated in the new fuse blowing immediately.  Started isolating everything one at a time to fault find the problem and came to the conclusion that there was a short circuit in the wiring somewhere.

A call to Traveller in Melbourne confirmed that I had done all that I could and it sounded like the wiring. If it was in the wiring I wanted it to go back to Traveller in Melbourne to fix under warranty, which they were more than happy with.

To keep us comfortable in the meantime John hot wired the water pumps and we decided we would have to use the generator to heat up water for our showers each day when free camping.

16th July 2012

All cleaned up, stocked up with food and water we headed out of Kununurra.  First stop Timber Creek and into the caravan park at $27.50 per night.  As soon as we got settled in we booked a boat cruise on the Victoria River with our friends, Ron and Joan.

We also had the scones, jam and cream at the local shop/booking office, very nice!

The boat cruise also included a tour (in a very old bus) of Timber Creek and surrounds and was very informative.  The cruise itself started off as a croc spotting exercise but before long we were spotting Jabiru’s, Wallabies, Kites and after about an hour of fairly fast cruising we stopped at a well set up pontoon where the owner/cruise director threw a line in and started catching small catfish.  These were then humanely dealt with and fed to the Whistling Kites and resident Sea Eagle while we had drinks and nibbles while we waited for sunset.

On the Bank

Sea Eagle

On the way back

I should mention that the owner of the boat had lived in or near Timber Creek on a station all his life and was a fountain of knowledge about the area.

We then got some great pictures of the sunset and cruised back to Timber creek.

17^th July 2012

We left for a short drive to a rest area, Vince Connolly crossing (192 in camps book 6), and set up for the night.  We had a movie night here and watched Bran Nu Dae (DVD), under the awning.

Next day a late start for the short drive into Katherine and into the Riverview Caravan park at $30.60 per night for 3 nights.  While here Ron and I both bought a 120Watt portable solar panel kit from Johnny’s who is fairly famous amongst RVer’s for his good deals.

Of course we spent some time in the hot springs just behind the caravan park, but it was a little busy.  We also went to the Katherine show which was a good day out.

21^st July 2012

Off again and this time down to Mataranka and into the Bitter Springs Caravan Park at 30.00/night, which is right on the edge of Elsy National Park and the Bitter {hot} springs.

We hired some noodles and spent some very relaxing time floating down the hot springs on the noodles and walking back and doing it all over again, boy this is a hard life!

Bitter Springs

23^rd July 2012

Off down the road again heading south to Daly Waters Pub, with the most remote traffic lights in Australia (not working of course).  Booked into their park at $24.00/night for one night plus $55.00 for a steak dinner for two. They put on a great show and with the dinner we all had a great time again.

24^th July 2012

We all wanted to see what the Longreach waterhole camp spot was like out of Elliot.  Ron and Joan had been told it was great but we couldn’t find anyone that had actually been in there on our travels so far.  It is number 94 in camps book six.  We put it in the GPS but it led us to a dead end street, luckily with a paddock to turn around in.  We asked at the local servo and met a very friendly local who directed us how to get there, "Quote" - back up the road north, turn left just after the cattle grid and ignore the no trespassing sign, you might even catch some Red claw!

We took him at his word and drove the 11 kilometres of sandy track to an amazing water hole with brand new toilets and BBQ’s and heaps of camping areas.  We picked ours on the bank and set up.

Thought we had better have a go at getting some red claw so pumped up the canoe and got out the Opera house nets and John paddled out to the deeper water and dropped them in.  Checked them a couple of times that afternoon and only got some very small shrimps and a couple of small fish.  Next morning there was nothing so we gave up.

John trying to pick up a shrimp

The best part of this spot apart from the magic views was the bird life; Jabiru, Brolgas, Ibis, Cormorants, Pelicans, ducks, Grebes, whistling Kites, Eagles, Butcher birds, Fly Eaters, Honey Eaters, Bee Eaters and the list goes on, there seemed to be something happening all the time either on the water or in the air.

View from our camp spot

The end of another hard day

Brolgas and a Pelican

After a couple of absolutely beautiful days, the wind started to blow and pretty much forced us inside during the day.  It seemed to abate late most afternoons and evenings though and as it would be a head wind we decided to try and wait it out and what a nice spot to wait a while!

30^th July 2012

We were starting to run low on food and water and the wind was still blowing, so we decided to bite the bullet and head south again.  Luckily the road was very quiet, hardly any trucks and just a few cars, as we were limited to about 75 – 80 k’s an hour thanks to the strong winds.  We drove as far as Attack Creek, number 90 in camps book 6 for the night.

31^st July 2012

The wind had eased off a little next morning so we took off for Tennant Creek and booked into the Outback Caravan Park at $31.00/night.  We topped up with food and water, drove out to look at the “Pebbles” which is a mini Devils Marbles and a free camp area.  The road out was a bit corrugated but OK but most camp spots were taken when we looked.

1^st August 2012

Off south again, this time as far as the Devil’s Marbles and the DEC camp site there for one night at $3.60/night for both of us.

This is a nice spot with clean but old long drops and a great view, but generators not allowed which was a small dilemma for us with no gas hot water heater, but we rigged up our 12volt portable camping shower and heated up some water on the stove for the bucket, hey presto nice hot showers still.  
There was a Dingo sunning itself just where I wanted to park the van and as I slowly backed in he finally decided to get up and move a few metres so I could park.  He looked a bit hungry but we didn’t see anyone feed him, however I guess that’s why he hangs around there.  Feeding wild Dingo's is not a good thing as they can become quite aggressive. While here we did a short walk around the marbles.


The guy on the left gives some idea of the size of the rocks

2^nd August 2012

On the move again next morning down to Prowse Gap, number 32 in camps book 6 for another overnight camp.  On the way here we passed through Wycliffe Well and had to stop and take photo’s of the Aliens.  
Prowse Gap was on the side of the road but had water, toilets and was nice and flat, the road is very quiet after dark anyway.  Lots of little blue tailed wrens and other birds here to entertain us for a while, and after dinner we had a game of cards with Ron and Joan.

What can I say?

Now thats Alien!

3rd August 2012

We called into Aileron to have a look at the large statues of the Aboriginals here and as our next planned stop was Gem Tree we wanted to call them as it is about 70 k’s East of the Stuart Highway, on the Plenty Highway and we didn’t want to drive in if we couldn’t get a spot.  
The manager advised us to book as the Hart Range Races were on that weekend and they expected to get busy.  We booked in and headed off to Gem Tree at $30.00/night for a powered site, so we could have nice long hot showers.

It was Saturday when we got there and one of their specialities is camp oven roast dinners so we all booked in for dinner that night at $30.00 per couple.  Good idea, it was all cooked perfectly and heaps of it, the bar was open and we bought a nice bottle of red and even got to see a short movie of the family history.

Next day up early for a fossicking tour, which means we get to work hard and pay for it!  We were taken to a Garnet field and got digging, sifting, washing and looking.  Barbara and I found at least 18 that are worth cutting and between us and Ron and Joan we found two 7millimetre stones (after cutting) and including these there has only been three that size found this season to date.  That night we had a great campfire and some of Joan’s yummy damper and off to bed early, all a little bit sore.

6th August 2012

Next stop on the road was Alice Springs, again Ron and Joan had heard of the Temple Bar Caravan Park just 10 k’s out of town which apparently was good.  We found the place and after a very informal check in procedure with Juliette the owner we set up.  The cost here is $20/night or if you stay 7 days it is $120/week plus power, so we booked in for two weeks.
We used around $2.50/night in power so it is a cheap park. It has a great view, however if you do not have your own shower the amenities may put you off. They are clean, but old and there is no privacy, sort of communal, the owner was very upfront about it, but it didn't worry us anyway. Would definitely recommend this park, friendly and quiet!
 

Joan and Ron wanted to visit Chambers Pillar, which to do it properly required an overnight camp in a tent.  We opted out of that one and stayed home, John visited the National Transport Hall and spent a very enjoyable couple of hours looking at trucks, cars etc, Barbara opted out of that as well.

Next trip was out to the West MacDonnell ranges which was a full on day but as usual lots of beautiful scenery and walks to do. Hard to pick the best but we think Ormiston was, after Redbank gorge, so hard to pick it.

A day recuperating and then out to the East MacDonnell ranges, the drive out here is better as you are closer to the hills.  More gorges and walks and a bit of four wheel driving to get to John Hayes rock holes.

John Hayes Rock Hole

If you look closely you can see Ron's blue shirt in the background looking at the second rock hole, we didn't go any further but it looked like there were more in a stairway fashion upwards.

We made a decision to go a short disctance on Binns track to look at a ghost town called Arltunga as it sounded interesting, however we did not realise it was so spread out and you really need a day just looking at it. There are a couple of old mines you can explore, with torches but we did not have the time, will put that one on the list for later.

We were also lucky enough to be in Alice when the Henly on Todd was being run and as it is such an iconic event, we just had to go.  Boy what a day, lots of laughs and we were well entertained all day, it could only happen in the NT!

All about having fun

The crocodile never caught them!

On the last day at the van park after a couple of red wines, we thought, Bugger it we are having so much fun lets stay another week!

Seeing as we had another whole week to play in Alice we took an afternoon drive down to Rainbow Valley so we could be there for sunset.  It was not as good as we expected even though we waited till after sunset it did not produce the colours we expected.

Rainbow Valley

27^th August 2012

We finally left Alice and headed south once more, this time as far as the NT/SA border and camped for the night there.

28^th August 2012

Next day off again south, now in South Australia and into Agnes Creek rest area, to see if we wanted to stay the night here. That was an easy decision when Ron pulled in with the right rear wheel of the caravan nearly falling off.

We set up camp and Ron removed the wheel completely and then the remains of the bearings.  He had serviced the bearings in March so why this one failed we don’t know.  Got the bits and pieces and headed down to Marla 85k’s south to get some replacement bits. 
Found Errol’s mechanical repairs and although he had a suitable wheel bearing kit, the brake hub was badly worn where the wheel bearing seal was supposed to go.  He found another hub, without a brake shoe though, complete with bearings and Ron and I headed back to put it on.  Murphy’s Law came into play and the hub did not fit!  Back in the car and back to Marla to try again.  When we got to Errol’s place he had been trying to find us as he realized just after we left that the hub had the wrong bearings in it, he had even asked a police highway patrol if they had seen us.  Anyway, changed the bearings and drove back again, this time everything fitted and all four wheels were back on the road and turning around like they are supposed to, although there are now only three wheels with brakes. The plan is to get them fixed in Adelaide.

29^th August 2012

On the road again, through Marla and stopped at Mathesons Bore campground for an overnight stop.

30^th August 2012

Next day on into Coober Pedy, looked at a “caravan park” in town that was supposed to cost $10.00 a night but we were not impressed and went to Stuart Range Tourist Park, normally $33.00/night but as we are top tourist members it was 10% off at $30.00 a night.  We booked in for three nights. Worth mentioning that you cannot hook up to water, you have to buy it from a bowser in the park at 20 cents for 40 litres.

Did a tour next day, around the town, out through an Opal field to the breakaways and moon plains, back into town for a tour of an underground house and mine and opal shop and then via boot hill back to the park.  It cost $60.00 a head and was well worth it for the history and places we saw that you would otherwise not know about.  Oh, and Barbara is now sporting two new pieces of jewellery!

Opal mining
 

The Breakaways

Underground Serbian Church

 

Boot Hill

2^ndSeptember 2012

Off south again as far as Bon Bon rest area for an overnight stop, saw quite a few Wedge Tail eagles see photos below.

Wedge tail eagles on the side of the raod

3^rd September 2012

South to Lake Hart lookout, which is a quite magnificent salt lake with the Ghan railway line running alongside it. It was very windy, so we snuck off the rest area down into the bottom of a gully to set up camp and had a great campfire and the obligatory red at happy hour, topped off by the guys having a little too much port. Thought it was a good idea to stay another night, as it was very windy (head wind) and Joan was not feeling the best.

Lake Hart with the Ghan Railway line in foreground

Lake Hart camp spot

5th September 2012

Left Lake Hart and headed for Woomera, it was a cold and windy day so our look around Woomera was quick.  Stopped at Pimba for some fuel and then headed into the Shoreline Caravan Park in Port Augusta at $24.30/night.  Not a bad park, definitely better than I expected.

 

The main reason for stopping at Port Augusta was to do the Pichi Richi railway run, which we did on the Saturday.  As I am a kid at heart, I really enjoyed the trip in the old carriages and the steam train. The scenery was great too and lunch in the pub at Quorn was not to be sneezed at, Yum!

Great Old Steam Train!



Spent most of the trip hanging over the side!

Ron at Quorn Station

9^th September 2012

The weather was much nicer as we left Port Augusta on our way to Clare, stopping for morning tea at a cafe in Stone Hut, definitely eating too much!  The Caravan Park in Clare was $26.10 a night.

Spent the night in Clare and then into Adelaide and the Brown Hill Creek Caravan Park, mainly to get Mum's house ready for sale.  We managed to get one more day out with Ron and Joan in the Adelaide hills and had lunch at Hahndorf – again I seemed to eat too much, LOVE eating!

Ron managed to get the brakes fixed and all wheel bearings checked while here too.

After only 6 days Ron and Joan had to head off home, after all this time on the road with them it was sad watching them drive out of the park without us. I am sure we will catch up again soon!

Well that’s about it for the blog at present, we did a quick trip to Melbourne to get some warranty issues fixed on the van and had a wonderful afternoon with Kirk and Serena and then back to Adelaide again for the foreseeable future.  Although this was a quick trip we did manage to find two great camp spots; one for $5/night called Green Hill Lake (#530 in camps 6) and Lake Ratzcastle camp area (#503 in camps 6) at no cost.  We will hang around in South Australia now until Mum’s house is settled.

Keep Smiling!

Love John and Barbara