Time to leave our campsite under the gum tree.
We did actually leave Yuendumu on Tuesday morning and with a blanket tied to the front of Destiny (to help protect against stone chips etc) we headed out to Tilmouth where we gave the van a good washing. I am sure that there is more topsoil there now than when we arrived. She certainly was dirty and dusty so looking much cleaner we made it into Alice the next day. Our stay in Alice was a little adventure on its own as when we arrived we could not get the air conditioner or electric hot water system to work. Now this was a little worrying and despite a few phone calls (including to Jayco in Brisbane) we still could not get them working. With some more investigating we found that there were also power points that were not working! Now is there a connection? More phone calls and finally someone advised checking the backs of the power points as one may have come loose (after all we had come along some corrugations). Halelluah there was the culprit and once reconnected all worked fine. Had been a worry for a couple of days and didn’t help the blood pressure one bit. All fixed and our final day in Alice was a little more relaxing. New windscreen, car serviced and off we set for all points north.
woman and child with goanna statue at Aileron
Our first night was a free camp in a rest stop north of Ti Tree and from then on to Devils Marbles (Karlu Karlu). We enjoyed a sunset and sunrise there and the photos speak for themselves.
sunrise on the rocks
The days are starting to warm up so as we are not in any hurry we are planning our driving till lunchtime and then parking up for the rest of the day. Rest and relaxation is what it is all about and why rush in the heat of the day? Our next overnight stay was at Banka Banka station where the water is from a spring and rivals the best bottled water. We took the opportunity to top up our tanks with the good stuff before heading north again. We encountered a breathalyser check at Elliott where the police had the highway blocked in both directions. As he informed us this was the ‘full service’ today as licence and caravan rego and tyres etc were checked. Great to see that happening as we all want to have a safe journey.
Our next stop was again a freebie at Newcastle Waters. The old township is just off the highway and the next morning as we were away early we called in for a look.
no fuel from this bowser
Until 30 yrs ago this had been a staging post and convergence of three stock routes for the drovers with their cattle herds. There was a general store where new supplies could be purchased for the next part of the trip and abundant water for the cattle. The store and hotel now have closed but the buildings still remain. The station is still functioning and the cattle we saw looked in good condition.
the locals at Newcastle Waters station
Tonight we are staying at Mataranka with a Thermal Pool in the back yard (lovely swim late in the afternoon) and live music (guitar and didgeridoo) being played down at the bar. The pool is fed by a spring that comes up and tumbles along to join the Waterhouse River. The pool and its surrounds were built during the Second World War by servicemen and the pool was for the use of officers only. After the war a serviceman leased the property and developed the area so that it could be opened to the general public. What thanks we owe him. The pool can be used by day visitors so you don’t have to stay here to make use of it. Tomorrow we head on to Katherine and a little shopping before heading off towards Darwin.
the locals here at the homestead
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