Overnight stop at Kulgera roadhouse, first roadhouse/pub after SA border.
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| Cody excited about crossing into the NT |
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| Sunset at Kulgera |
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| Centre of the Centre - middle of AUS |
Then onto Yulara "Resort" - (loosely used term in NT) for 3 nights. Freezing cold,
early morning frosts - we were told coldest week in years. Sunset viewing of Uluru
was pretty spectacular, as was the Valley of the winds walk through Kata Tjuta (Olgas).
Failed attempt at base walk - boys couldn't cope with the full 10km - we managed a
couple and got to see the best bits. Swanky dinner one night was a treat.
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| Kata Tjuta (Olgas) |
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| So embarrassing Mum & Dad wearing matching shirts |
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| Valley of the Kings Walk Kata Tjuta |
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| Uluru base walk |
On the way to Kings Canyon, we had our first run in with a dingo on roadside lunch
stop. Dingo was keen for some lunch too.
You know you're in the outback when fuel is $1.99/L and $34 for a 6 pk.
After Uluru failed attempt we didn't think boys were up to doing the full rim walk
but with the creek walk a fizzer, we ended up taking on the South rim walk - so glad we did!
After much deliberation and chats to fellow campers as well as a reconnaissance drive
where we were able to use our maxtrax for the first time to help out some stranded
backpackers, we drove to West McDonnell Ranges via the Mereenie Loop, a heavily
corrugated track rather than back tracking on the tar for about 500km. Good but rough
choice - saved a few hours. Saw lots of wild brumbies and even ran into a family from
Austinmer (unbelievable!)
Next 2 nights were spent yet again at a "resort" in Glen Helen Gorge. Boys absolutely
loved a canyoning adventure through red bank gorge in our trusty Aldi raft. Checked
out Ormiston Gorge as well - so picturesque.
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| Ormiston Gorge |
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| Dinner Under the Stars | |
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| Joel in Evil Sith Mode near the fire. |
Warm (34deg) weather at our next stop in Alice Springs was well received, as was the jumping
pillow, games room and water slide at the Big 4 caravan park (most awarded park in NT).
After a week we finally found a car wash and rid the car and van of another couple
hundred kilos of mud.
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| Eagle Encounter at Alice Springs Desert Park |
Long drive north to our next overnighter at Devils Marbles via Wycliffe Well (supposed
UFO capital of Australia).
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| Joel didn't enjoy his probing. |
Passed a horrific head on accident between a car towing a caravan and a motorhome
just after Barrow Creek. Later found out that the couple towing the van had died and
the motorhome couple were flown by the Royal Flying Doctors to Alice Springs in
serious condition. When we passed there was one ambulance on the scene but passed
another as well as a fire truck 45min later. A reminder of just how remote it is out
here and how imperative the Royal Flying Doctors are in this part of the country.
The National park campground was chockers - grey nomad favourite we think something to
do with the $5 camping fee. 😜
Another long drive along the seemingly never ending Stuart Hwy to Daly Waters historic
pub. The oldest pub in NT full of memorabilia from passing travelers. The associated
dust bowl (I mean camping ground) was full - we scored the last powered site (free
upgrade from non powered😆) only because our van is tiny compared to many others on the
road. Happy campers - needed the air con. The Beef and Barra buffet a draw card for
weary travelers and definitely up there with the best meals we have had on the trip so
far.
Onto Mataranka just overnight, thermal springs divine at 34deg. Even better, the boys
decided to stay in the van in the late afternoon playing Lego while we enjoyed the
stories of other campers travels for a couple of hours in the thermal pool.
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| Mataranka Thermal Pool |
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| Barra were safe this day but gee did we get plenty of snags. |
Next stop, Mary River RoadHouse in Kakadu National Park. Headed out to Gunlom falls
after setting up, a natural infinity pool at the top of Gunlom falls. WOW!
Jabiru was our next stop. Spotted one croc at Cahills Crossing on the East Alligator River (the border between Kakadu and Arnhem Land) and then checked out the Aboriginal
rock art at Ubirr.
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| Cahill Crossing Croc Spotting |
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| Looking out over Arnhem land, Ubirr |
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| Aboriginal Rock Art at Ubirr |
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| Kakadu Wetlands |
On our way to Darwin, we stopped off at Adelaide River Cruises for a jumping croc
cruise. Joel anxious about going after hearing about Brutus, the 6m croc that
inhabited the river. He thought that the boat was too small (held 30). Not sure what
he was expecting. The anxiety soon turned into excitement after seeing the first croc
up close jumping for beef that the tour operator held over the edge of the boat on some
wire attached to a pole. It was quite phenomenal.
In Darwin, the boys loved the wave pool at the waterfront as well as the free water
slides at Leanyer Recreation Park. We enjoyed dinner at the Caravan Parks resort
style poolside bar/bistro and the boys swam until late.
On our last day in Darwin Tony and Joel went to the Military Museum/defence of Darwin
experience whilst Michelle and Cody preferred the National Art Gallery and Museum.
