Here are a few pics taken over our trip
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
First Trip
THEADVENTURES OF SAMI SAHARA,
ALI ALIGATOR & THE WACKY WANDERERS.
In the beginning there were the “fossils” then came Sami & Sunny
It was at 6:15am on the 28th of March in the year of our Lord 2004, that Sami Saraha, towing the Sunseeker & accompanied by Ali & the wacky ones left Northmead.
Travelling north up Pennant Hills road & then to the M3 we arrived at our first stop Cessnock. Here our intrepid driver gets a well earned rest & Ali also relaxes.
After a few days stay during which time we visited the Historic town of Morpeth, went to visit with Weston branch of Conplant & had a delightful lunch with Max, Liela & Doug Coleman.
After some shopping during which our driver took the opportunity to invest in another DOLPHIN PRINT !!!!!!!! We went to Tinklers Vineyard, this being our only Winery visit.
After trying to get some of our favorite Volcanic Ash wine. With none being available it was off to the town of Gulgong, the town featured on the $10 note. Along the road we passed through the towns of Broke, Denman, Merrawa & Cassilis we made a pit stop & took this picture of Sami & the Sunseeker.
Eventually arriving in Gulgong, having passed through swarms of Grasshoppers. We spent a couple of days here & looked around Mudgee, but no wineries!!!!!!! Have the Wacky Wanderers turned teetotal???????? I DON’T THINK SO. Our intrepid wanderers have survived the first week!!!!!!
WEEK TWO.
So now we pack the van & head North, ever North, chasing the sun. Our next stop is Narribri home of the cotton producers, BIG ONES. During our stay we found out that Australia is the third largest cotton producer.
On one trip out & about we went to Kaputar National park going up to Mt. Kaputar via our first taste of dirt roads.
The views over the park were great.
After the views from there it was over the other side of the park to see the Sawn Rocks. These are a natural phenomenon. The rocks being pushed up through the earths crust for hundreds of feet causing sheer walls like a giant pipe organ.
These views, as we found out later, at Carnarvan were just a foretaste of the magnificent scenery that this country has to offer.
Even though we have only been on the road a couple of weeks & seen a small portion of the country, it is amazing the differences that we have seen
It was now off to Moree to take in the waters of the hot thermal springs which are drawn up from750 metres below the surface at a temperature of 38 degrees celsius. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get in a game of golf. NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????? Sue was feeling sick & having a bit of trouble breathing {asthma}. Off she went to the Dr. to be told that there was nothing at all wrong with her!!! That night she had real problems breathing, the worst ever but by morning wasn’t too bad.
Friends from Glen Innes came over & spent a night in a cabin at the same caravan park. After having lunch with them it was back to the park for one last dip before packing the van ready for early departure next morning.
ONWARD EVER ONWARD.
After leaving Moree it was up the highway to cross the border & begin the Queensland part of the trip. First stop over the border was the town of Goondawindi, home of the famous racehorse Gunsynd as well as being a cotton producing town.
This was the Billabong at the Caravan Park at Goondawindi. This was also our first time with Queensland Caravan Parks having a different tap fitting. We were lucky that the owner had a spare fitting which he gave us. Things you find out once on the road!!!!!!!!!!
After a few days it was once again on the road.
We traveled to the town of St George, a quiet town. Unfortunately Sue was very ill & required a trip to the local doctor, who prescribed antibiotics for chest infection & more medication for her asthma. Strange to think that only 3 days earlier supposedly there was nothing wrong with her!!!!!!!
We visited the local winery where we discovered a nice white (TOLD YOU WE HADN’T TURNED TEETOTAL) not as nice as Volcanic Ash but we will order some when we get back.
Then it was on to Roma stopping at Surat for lunch, an old Cobb & Co town.
Roma: town of the Big Rig & scene of the first oil discovery in Australia. It was here that we saw our first bottle trees & where THE DRIVER FOUND HER MIRRORS- HURRAY, YIPEE AND ALL THE REST. For all who haven’t heard the story, ask the driver but be prepared for profanity!!!!!!!!!
We spent a few days seeing the sights, going to shows at the Big Rig & shopping. (DID SOME RECYCLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
The facilities at the library for internet were great & people at the Caravan Park were very helpful.
We were surprised to see so many Bottle trees lining the streets, & also that they weren’t related to the Boab tree of Western Australia.
Now it was time to leave Roma & head for Injune. This would be our first look at The Carnarvan National Park.
Also in Injune we met Teressa at the Information Centre, she was a delight & very helpful. The Caravan park was cheap & basic BUT the town was expensive as we found out having dinner at the pub & fueling the Sahara. We had: 1 mixed grill, 1 lamb chop, 1 beer & 1 glass of wine which came to nearly $40.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A second ½ glass of wine cost me $5.40!!!!!!
Injune was the scene of our brush with the law!!!!!!!!!!
Sue pulled out in front of a large truck which was traveling faster than she thought & was forced to pull of the road.
Looking in the rear view mirror we saw a blue light & a man in uniform walked to the drivers window. After checking our details {which took 10mins.} & saying “ Susan, I don’t think you are a hardened criminal”, he then proceeded to give her a lecture about pulling out in front of large trucks saying that this was only small 60 tonnes & we can expect to find trucks with loads of 200 tonnes!!!.
Then it was up to Mt. Moffit on one side of Carnarvan National Park. Going into the park it was beautiful & clear. The rock outcrops were spectacular as was the slide that we had coming out after the rain.
Coming out we also saw a spectacular sunset, a sky that had a double Rainbow & great cloud effects.
After leaving Injune we headed to Carnarvan National Park & Takarakka resort at the entrance to the gorge.
It was during this part of the trip that we were forced of the road by a road train causing the Microwave oven to be thrown to the floor, the air conditioner to be moved & the water tank drain tap to be broken.
Takarakka proved to be a great site & a place to start our walks into the many attractions of the gorge. We walked to Moss Garden, the Aboriginal rock art gallery, Micky’s Creek Gorge and Wamburra Gorge. The longest one that Sue did was 8klms & Tom 12klms!!!!!!!
How can you begin to describe Carnarvan Gorge??????? It is as though you are transported back to the Jurasic period when Dinosaurs roamed, Cyclads 2000 years old, palms & eucalypts older than Australian white settlement. Cliff faces rising sheer to the sky, gorges that a person struggles to get between the gaps in the rocks, creeks flowing over rocks & Aboriginal rock paintings carbon dated to be older than the birth of Christ.
Sami & the Sunseeker waiting to hit the road,& a sample of Aboriginal rock painting in Carnarvan.
Now back to the road. After lunch in Springsure we headed to our next stop Emerald.
Now, as Sami had been working hard, we decided to give her a well earned service. This was an opportunity to get our pictures processed. As well we had the C.B checked & hard wired. Eureka, we now were able to transmit & talk to others.!!!!!!!!!!
It was here that we met Len & Gwen who we first met at Injune. A funny couple who were good hearted. Gwen would take her teeth out at any time & Len never had his in!!!!!!
This is a view of Emerald Railway Station, one of the most photographed stations in Queensland. A sunset at Emerald.
Botanical Garden in Emerald. Spillway at Fairburn Dam.
After a visit to Fairburn Dam our time at Emerald was at an end. Next morning it was off to Barcaldine. This is where the Australian Labour Party was formed after a meeting under the tree of Knowledge. Another claim to fame is the 8 pubs, including 5 within 200mtrs, in the main street. There is also a museum dedicated to the Unions & the Labour Party.
The tree of Knowledge outside Barcaldine Railway station.
Again Sami turns her wheels & it is off to Longreach. Just before Longreach is the village of Ilfracombe. This is the home to a museum of Tractors and equipment that lines the whole length of the street
Longreach: home of Qantas & The Stockmans Hall Of Fame. Here Ali tried to board the Qantas Jumbo, which has been parked here. This is the only fully functional 747 open for inspection. The flying to land a Jumbo at Longreach was amazing. The senior Qantas pilot trained on simulators to get it right. There was only enough fuel for two landing attempts & then to get altitude to get to Townsville. Both outer engines were switched off as they were wider than the strip. All crew were volunteers & the entire population of Longreach watched the landing.
The photo of our entertainer after we finished the sunset tour on the Thomson River at Longreach.
After a most enjoyable cruise, were entertained by the crew whilst being served a meal. We sat on logs in front of a campfire & balanced our plates on our knees!!!!!
Our next stop was at Winton, where Banjo Patterson wrote the poem “Waltzing Matilda”. It is the home of Bush Poetry. It is also where Qantas was started in 1920 & where their first board meeting took place in the Winton club.
It is also famous for it’s water supply from three artesian bores, which deliver water from 1200 mtrs below the surface at a temperature of 83 degrees Celsius.
The next day we booked to go out to Lark’s Quarry to see the Dinosaur stampede prints. Here a delightful guide gave us a very informative tour of the display.
Again we head north to Cloncurry & Mt. Isa. Copper producing towns & the Gateway to both the West & the Gulf.
Mt Isa is a great place to visit, lots to see & do. A trip down a simulated mine was an experience. Kitted up in all the gear you descend a shaft & witness the JOYS OF MINING!!!!!!!!!. Whilst there, The Roulettes put on a display over the town. We were able to get our photos developed as well.
After a week exploring Mt Isa it was north to Normanton. After being told the road was suitable for Caravan we set out and were surprised how good it was. Some sections were narrow but the shoulders were good. It was no worry to move over for road trains.
First stop was Burke & Wills Roadhouse where we planned to spend the night, but after a look at the facilities & the fact that we had made good time we pressed on. .
Normanton, home 0f Krys the largest Crocodile caught on the Norman River. Here Ali bares her teeth at the big Croc!
While here we went to Karumba for more Barramundi. Karumba Markets were on & had some beautiful craftwork. Then onto the Barramundi fish farm where a breeding program is in place. They supply fingerlings to stock rivers & dams of North Queensland. A Gulf sunset cruise, consisted of sitting in a boat, drinking a glass of wine & watching the Gulf Sunset. Sure beats working.!!!
.
Back in Normanton we went for a trip on the famous Gulflander rail motor to Croydon. The Gulflander is a 2 carriage motor rail car which reaches a top speed of 40 klms per hour. The driver was a Savanah Guide who kept us enthralled with his commentary.
His knowledge of the History, Flora, Fauna & Geology was fantastic & for the 4hr trip nobody was bored. A morning tea stop at Black Bull was a chance to stretch the legs. It was then on to Croydon. This was an old mining town with a great history. As we were pulling into the station we could see a bushfire racing towards us down the track. Not seeing any fire trucks the driver started to reverse out of there at a great pace. A fire truck appeared and managed to turn the fire away from the track so all was saved!! After a beer at the old pub & some of the best ham & salad sandwiches at the old store/museum we boarded a bus for the return trip to Normanton. About the Savanah guides, they are a group of local people dedicated to passing on all aspects of their area, it is a non profit organization and all that we met were doing this as well as running their own businesses.
Even Ali wanted to drive the train.
Below is a pic of the Croydon store & a section of the Gulflander rail line between Normanton & Croydon. This line goes through diverse types of countryside.
After leaving Normanton we traveled back to Mt.Isa as we had trouble with our car fridge. This stopped us going into Gregory Downs & Lawn Hill. This was a disappointment as reports from fellow travelers said it was one of the great places to visit.
Some say that it is as good if not better than Carnarvan Gorge.
NORTHERN TERRITORY.
Heading across The Barkley Highway we passed through the town of Camooweal & then on to an overnight stop at Barkley Homestead, a roadhouse at the junction of Barkley Highway & Tablelands Highway.
Next morning it was up the Tablelands Highway to Cape Crawford. Now Cape Crawford is 200 Km’s from water??????
This was a pitstop & lunch break at Heartbreak Hotel.
After a quick stop we went on to our next stop at Booraloola.
Here we made preparations to leave the Van & travel to Wollogorang.
Here we met a great couple Steve & Roma & traveled with them across the Savanah Way to our destination. We were sorry that they were going further on. This was to be our first taste of river crossings & 4W Driving. Sue couldn’t wait to get at it!!!!
After we said good-bye to Steve & Roma we found that the owner, Paul, had left for his other property at Amungee Mungee.
His son who, manages Wollogorang, had flown to Mt. Isa but still Sue could see the property & pick up some history of the place, as well we were able to organize a meeting at Amungee Mungee.
Here was also our first time to put the tent up. EASY you may say!!!!!!!!! But oh no, after struggling to make sense of the instructions we called on a young couple who had put their’s up
in minutes.
They soon had ours up & we thought our problems were over
Uh uh, we now went to pump up the bed but found out that the fitting for the compressor was missing!!!!!!
After a restless night we were full off aches & pains. It was break camp & head back to pick up the van.
After a GOOD nights sleep we were on our way once more. Our destination, the Heartbreak hotel, where they allowed car washing!! After our off road across “Highway 1” Sami needed it.
First stop was the Carabarini National Park. This is similar to “The Lost City” near Cape Crawford but more easily accessed.
Once more we were amazed at the rock formations. Here also we found out about the National Parks using the native way of controlled burning to preserve the land, pity it isn’t done in the southern states.
Next morning was spent trying to get the dust out of Sami & trying to fold the tent so it would all fit back in the bag. “NO HOPE” & we still get dust out of Sami, although most is from Cape York later in our trip.
Now on to Amungi Mungee were Sue & Paul were able to exchange information about their respective Wollogorangs.
This is the entrance to Amungee Mungee and a shot of the Famous Daley Waters Pub.
This was our next stopover & what a night. Here we met the real outback stockmen & a mixture of various nationality backpackers. We had 2 young German Boys at our table who were real nice boys, a couple of young stockmen sat for a while.
They had been at the pub & drinking all day!!!!!
The entertainer was great & was able to turn the tables on a few lads who interjected. He just got them up on stage & made them part of the act!! There was a FREE taxi back to your accommodation which consisted of a wheelbarrow with a mattress in it!!!!!
Daley Waters was our first International Airport & an important airfield during World War 2.
Next morning, it was up the Stuart Highway to Mataranka for a couple of days to go to the Hot Springs & see the Bats. There are millions of bats who spend their days hanging from the trees surrounding the thermal pool.
Mataranka is also famous as the home of The Gunn family of Elesly Station & the book “We of the Never Never”.
We come to the end of Part 1 of our trip.
ALI ALIGATOR & THE WACKY WANDERERS.
In the beginning there were the “fossils” then came Sami & Sunny
It was at 6:15am on the 28th of March in the year of our Lord 2004, that Sami Saraha, towing the Sunseeker & accompanied by Ali & the wacky ones left Northmead.
Travelling north up Pennant Hills road & then to the M3 we arrived at our first stop Cessnock. Here our intrepid driver gets a well earned rest & Ali also relaxes.
After a few days stay during which time we visited the Historic town of Morpeth, went to visit with Weston branch of Conplant & had a delightful lunch with Max, Liela & Doug Coleman.
After some shopping during which our driver took the opportunity to invest in another DOLPHIN PRINT !!!!!!!! We went to Tinklers Vineyard, this being our only Winery visit.
After trying to get some of our favorite Volcanic Ash wine. With none being available it was off to the town of Gulgong, the town featured on the $10 note. Along the road we passed through the towns of Broke, Denman, Merrawa & Cassilis we made a pit stop & took this picture of Sami & the Sunseeker.
Eventually arriving in Gulgong, having passed through swarms of Grasshoppers. We spent a couple of days here & looked around Mudgee, but no wineries!!!!!!! Have the Wacky Wanderers turned teetotal???????? I DON’T THINK SO. Our intrepid wanderers have survived the first week!!!!!!
WEEK TWO.
So now we pack the van & head North, ever North, chasing the sun. Our next stop is Narribri home of the cotton producers, BIG ONES. During our stay we found out that Australia is the third largest cotton producer.
On one trip out & about we went to Kaputar National park going up to Mt. Kaputar via our first taste of dirt roads.
The views over the park were great.
After the views from there it was over the other side of the park to see the Sawn Rocks. These are a natural phenomenon. The rocks being pushed up through the earths crust for hundreds of feet causing sheer walls like a giant pipe organ.
These views, as we found out later, at Carnarvan were just a foretaste of the magnificent scenery that this country has to offer.
Even though we have only been on the road a couple of weeks & seen a small portion of the country, it is amazing the differences that we have seen
It was now off to Moree to take in the waters of the hot thermal springs which are drawn up from750 metres below the surface at a temperature of 38 degrees celsius. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get in a game of golf. NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????? Sue was feeling sick & having a bit of trouble breathing {asthma}. Off she went to the Dr. to be told that there was nothing at all wrong with her!!! That night she had real problems breathing, the worst ever but by morning wasn’t too bad.
Friends from Glen Innes came over & spent a night in a cabin at the same caravan park. After having lunch with them it was back to the park for one last dip before packing the van ready for early departure next morning.
ONWARD EVER ONWARD.
After leaving Moree it was up the highway to cross the border & begin the Queensland part of the trip. First stop over the border was the town of Goondawindi, home of the famous racehorse Gunsynd as well as being a cotton producing town.
This was the Billabong at the Caravan Park at Goondawindi. This was also our first time with Queensland Caravan Parks having a different tap fitting. We were lucky that the owner had a spare fitting which he gave us. Things you find out once on the road!!!!!!!!!!
After a few days it was once again on the road.
We traveled to the town of St George, a quiet town. Unfortunately Sue was very ill & required a trip to the local doctor, who prescribed antibiotics for chest infection & more medication for her asthma. Strange to think that only 3 days earlier supposedly there was nothing wrong with her!!!!!!!
We visited the local winery where we discovered a nice white (TOLD YOU WE HADN’T TURNED TEETOTAL) not as nice as Volcanic Ash but we will order some when we get back.
Then it was on to Roma stopping at Surat for lunch, an old Cobb & Co town.
Roma: town of the Big Rig & scene of the first oil discovery in Australia. It was here that we saw our first bottle trees & where THE DRIVER FOUND HER MIRRORS- HURRAY, YIPEE AND ALL THE REST. For all who haven’t heard the story, ask the driver but be prepared for profanity!!!!!!!!!
We spent a few days seeing the sights, going to shows at the Big Rig & shopping. (DID SOME RECYCLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
The facilities at the library for internet were great & people at the Caravan Park were very helpful.
We were surprised to see so many Bottle trees lining the streets, & also that they weren’t related to the Boab tree of Western Australia.
Now it was time to leave Roma & head for Injune. This would be our first look at The Carnarvan National Park.
Also in Injune we met Teressa at the Information Centre, she was a delight & very helpful. The Caravan park was cheap & basic BUT the town was expensive as we found out having dinner at the pub & fueling the Sahara. We had: 1 mixed grill, 1 lamb chop, 1 beer & 1 glass of wine which came to nearly $40.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A second ½ glass of wine cost me $5.40!!!!!!
Injune was the scene of our brush with the law!!!!!!!!!!
Sue pulled out in front of a large truck which was traveling faster than she thought & was forced to pull of the road.
Looking in the rear view mirror we saw a blue light & a man in uniform walked to the drivers window. After checking our details {which took 10mins.} & saying “ Susan, I don’t think you are a hardened criminal”, he then proceeded to give her a lecture about pulling out in front of large trucks saying that this was only small 60 tonnes & we can expect to find trucks with loads of 200 tonnes!!!.
Then it was up to Mt. Moffit on one side of Carnarvan National Park. Going into the park it was beautiful & clear. The rock outcrops were spectacular as was the slide that we had coming out after the rain.
Coming out we also saw a spectacular sunset, a sky that had a double Rainbow & great cloud effects.
After leaving Injune we headed to Carnarvan National Park & Takarakka resort at the entrance to the gorge.
It was during this part of the trip that we were forced of the road by a road train causing the Microwave oven to be thrown to the floor, the air conditioner to be moved & the water tank drain tap to be broken.
Takarakka proved to be a great site & a place to start our walks into the many attractions of the gorge. We walked to Moss Garden, the Aboriginal rock art gallery, Micky’s Creek Gorge and Wamburra Gorge. The longest one that Sue did was 8klms & Tom 12klms!!!!!!!
How can you begin to describe Carnarvan Gorge??????? It is as though you are transported back to the Jurasic period when Dinosaurs roamed, Cyclads 2000 years old, palms & eucalypts older than Australian white settlement. Cliff faces rising sheer to the sky, gorges that a person struggles to get between the gaps in the rocks, creeks flowing over rocks & Aboriginal rock paintings carbon dated to be older than the birth of Christ.
Sami & the Sunseeker waiting to hit the road,& a sample of Aboriginal rock painting in Carnarvan.
Now back to the road. After lunch in Springsure we headed to our next stop Emerald.
Now, as Sami had been working hard, we decided to give her a well earned service. This was an opportunity to get our pictures processed. As well we had the C.B checked & hard wired. Eureka, we now were able to transmit & talk to others.!!!!!!!!!!
It was here that we met Len & Gwen who we first met at Injune. A funny couple who were good hearted. Gwen would take her teeth out at any time & Len never had his in!!!!!!
This is a view of Emerald Railway Station, one of the most photographed stations in Queensland. A sunset at Emerald.
Botanical Garden in Emerald. Spillway at Fairburn Dam.
After a visit to Fairburn Dam our time at Emerald was at an end. Next morning it was off to Barcaldine. This is where the Australian Labour Party was formed after a meeting under the tree of Knowledge. Another claim to fame is the 8 pubs, including 5 within 200mtrs, in the main street. There is also a museum dedicated to the Unions & the Labour Party.
The tree of Knowledge outside Barcaldine Railway station.
Again Sami turns her wheels & it is off to Longreach. Just before Longreach is the village of Ilfracombe. This is the home to a museum of Tractors and equipment that lines the whole length of the street
Longreach: home of Qantas & The Stockmans Hall Of Fame. Here Ali tried to board the Qantas Jumbo, which has been parked here. This is the only fully functional 747 open for inspection. The flying to land a Jumbo at Longreach was amazing. The senior Qantas pilot trained on simulators to get it right. There was only enough fuel for two landing attempts & then to get altitude to get to Townsville. Both outer engines were switched off as they were wider than the strip. All crew were volunteers & the entire population of Longreach watched the landing.
The photo of our entertainer after we finished the sunset tour on the Thomson River at Longreach.
After a most enjoyable cruise, were entertained by the crew whilst being served a meal. We sat on logs in front of a campfire & balanced our plates on our knees!!!!!
Our next stop was at Winton, where Banjo Patterson wrote the poem “Waltzing Matilda”. It is the home of Bush Poetry. It is also where Qantas was started in 1920 & where their first board meeting took place in the Winton club.
It is also famous for it’s water supply from three artesian bores, which deliver water from 1200 mtrs below the surface at a temperature of 83 degrees Celsius.
The next day we booked to go out to Lark’s Quarry to see the Dinosaur stampede prints. Here a delightful guide gave us a very informative tour of the display.
Again we head north to Cloncurry & Mt. Isa. Copper producing towns & the Gateway to both the West & the Gulf.
Mt Isa is a great place to visit, lots to see & do. A trip down a simulated mine was an experience. Kitted up in all the gear you descend a shaft & witness the JOYS OF MINING!!!!!!!!!. Whilst there, The Roulettes put on a display over the town. We were able to get our photos developed as well.
After a week exploring Mt Isa it was north to Normanton. After being told the road was suitable for Caravan we set out and were surprised how good it was. Some sections were narrow but the shoulders were good. It was no worry to move over for road trains.
First stop was Burke & Wills Roadhouse where we planned to spend the night, but after a look at the facilities & the fact that we had made good time we pressed on. .
Normanton, home 0f Krys the largest Crocodile caught on the Norman River. Here Ali bares her teeth at the big Croc!
While here we went to Karumba for more Barramundi. Karumba Markets were on & had some beautiful craftwork. Then onto the Barramundi fish farm where a breeding program is in place. They supply fingerlings to stock rivers & dams of North Queensland. A Gulf sunset cruise, consisted of sitting in a boat, drinking a glass of wine & watching the Gulf Sunset. Sure beats working.!!!
.
Back in Normanton we went for a trip on the famous Gulflander rail motor to Croydon. The Gulflander is a 2 carriage motor rail car which reaches a top speed of 40 klms per hour. The driver was a Savanah Guide who kept us enthralled with his commentary.
His knowledge of the History, Flora, Fauna & Geology was fantastic & for the 4hr trip nobody was bored. A morning tea stop at Black Bull was a chance to stretch the legs. It was then on to Croydon. This was an old mining town with a great history. As we were pulling into the station we could see a bushfire racing towards us down the track. Not seeing any fire trucks the driver started to reverse out of there at a great pace. A fire truck appeared and managed to turn the fire away from the track so all was saved!! After a beer at the old pub & some of the best ham & salad sandwiches at the old store/museum we boarded a bus for the return trip to Normanton. About the Savanah guides, they are a group of local people dedicated to passing on all aspects of their area, it is a non profit organization and all that we met were doing this as well as running their own businesses.
Even Ali wanted to drive the train.
Below is a pic of the Croydon store & a section of the Gulflander rail line between Normanton & Croydon. This line goes through diverse types of countryside.
After leaving Normanton we traveled back to Mt.Isa as we had trouble with our car fridge. This stopped us going into Gregory Downs & Lawn Hill. This was a disappointment as reports from fellow travelers said it was one of the great places to visit.
Some say that it is as good if not better than Carnarvan Gorge.
NORTHERN TERRITORY.
Heading across The Barkley Highway we passed through the town of Camooweal & then on to an overnight stop at Barkley Homestead, a roadhouse at the junction of Barkley Highway & Tablelands Highway.
Next morning it was up the Tablelands Highway to Cape Crawford. Now Cape Crawford is 200 Km’s from water??????
This was a pitstop & lunch break at Heartbreak Hotel.
After a quick stop we went on to our next stop at Booraloola.
Here we made preparations to leave the Van & travel to Wollogorang.
Here we met a great couple Steve & Roma & traveled with them across the Savanah Way to our destination. We were sorry that they were going further on. This was to be our first taste of river crossings & 4W Driving. Sue couldn’t wait to get at it!!!!
After we said good-bye to Steve & Roma we found that the owner, Paul, had left for his other property at Amungee Mungee.
His son who, manages Wollogorang, had flown to Mt. Isa but still Sue could see the property & pick up some history of the place, as well we were able to organize a meeting at Amungee Mungee.
Here was also our first time to put the tent up. EASY you may say!!!!!!!!! But oh no, after struggling to make sense of the instructions we called on a young couple who had put their’s up
in minutes.
They soon had ours up & we thought our problems were over
Uh uh, we now went to pump up the bed but found out that the fitting for the compressor was missing!!!!!!
After a restless night we were full off aches & pains. It was break camp & head back to pick up the van.
After a GOOD nights sleep we were on our way once more. Our destination, the Heartbreak hotel, where they allowed car washing!! After our off road across “Highway 1” Sami needed it.
First stop was the Carabarini National Park. This is similar to “The Lost City” near Cape Crawford but more easily accessed.
Once more we were amazed at the rock formations. Here also we found out about the National Parks using the native way of controlled burning to preserve the land, pity it isn’t done in the southern states.
Next morning was spent trying to get the dust out of Sami & trying to fold the tent so it would all fit back in the bag. “NO HOPE” & we still get dust out of Sami, although most is from Cape York later in our trip.
Now on to Amungi Mungee were Sue & Paul were able to exchange information about their respective Wollogorangs.
This is the entrance to Amungee Mungee and a shot of the Famous Daley Waters Pub.
This was our next stopover & what a night. Here we met the real outback stockmen & a mixture of various nationality backpackers. We had 2 young German Boys at our table who were real nice boys, a couple of young stockmen sat for a while.
They had been at the pub & drinking all day!!!!!
The entertainer was great & was able to turn the tables on a few lads who interjected. He just got them up on stage & made them part of the act!! There was a FREE taxi back to your accommodation which consisted of a wheelbarrow with a mattress in it!!!!!
Daley Waters was our first International Airport & an important airfield during World War 2.
Next morning, it was up the Stuart Highway to Mataranka for a couple of days to go to the Hot Springs & see the Bats. There are millions of bats who spend their days hanging from the trees surrounding the thermal pool.
Mataranka is also famous as the home of The Gunn family of Elesly Station & the book “We of the Never Never”.
We come to the end of Part 1 of our trip.
Update
Well winter is here and we yearn for the north. The kookaburras have arrived for a handout. They do know where to find the food & who will give it to them. They have Browny conned.Her girlfriend 10 Km's away has also been taken in & she has to feed her visitors. Still nowhere like the bird feeding at Cania Gorge.
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