Janet and Peter On Tour: May 2015

After leaving Alice Springs we free camped our way up the Stuart Highway and visited places we hadn't seen on our first run. Our intention was to travel the unsealed Buchanan Highway but after speaking to the locals and the police, the Stuart Highway was the best option. We discovered a lovely Oasis just outside Tennant Creek called Mary Ann Lake, visited The Pebbles, swam again at Mataranka and had a great social night at King River Rest area where all the campers got together around a big central camp fire. We pulled in to Katherine and loaded up with brochures from the visitors centre before heading left onto the Victoria Highway which was new ground for us. The landscape has been wonderful and we spent time in the Gregory National Park and the Keep National Park before crossing the border into WA and stopping in Kununurra where we are now. We booked in to the Kununurra Lakeside Tourist Resort because a guy handed us a brochure with a 10% discount at the border and it has been heavenly. Our camp is right on the lake with soft green grass - and a swimming pool!! We booked in for two nights but extended to three and tonight extended it for another day. Yesterday we visited sights in the Kununurra area, today we drove out to Wyndham and tomorrow we are doing a lunch and sunset cruise on Lake Argyle.....then we'll head to the Bungle Bungles.

I was thrilled to find this blast from the past

This Bowmans bus used to take us to town or TTP when I was a kid!

An old Ghan train

The Pebbles in the NT

Mary Ann Lake. A beautiful Dam just outside Tennant Creek, NT

The Buchannan Highway. It looks OK but we were advised

not to drive the 440 ks to Timber Creek with the van

These Peacocks got a good feed as I had to get rid

of my birdseed before crossing the WA border

The Jones Store built in 1934 at Newcastle Waters

I think this guys has been there since they closed!

A tribute to the Stockmen

This is the old Gorrie Airstrip from WW2.

It's over 1km long and in the middle of nowhere

We had a great communal fire at a free camp spot with fellow campers.

We even threw an old chair on that someone had left by the bin!

Gregory's Tree near the Gregory National Park

Thomas Baines carved this Boab tree with the arrival and departure dates of the expedition

October 1885 and July 2nd 1856

The boat ramp at Big Horse Creek, Gregory National Park

Looking for crocs

Looking for crocs from the bridge

No crocs seen at Policemans Point either

This kite is on the lookout, too

Gurrandalng Camp in the Keep National Park

We talk a scenic walk through this beautiful area

Walk at Keep National Park

A fire had been through which made it easier to spot snakes!

Cockatoo Billabong, Keep National Park

beautiful Boab Trees

walking...

...walking

fires in the distance

...walking

the WA border and quarantine point

Arriving in Kununurra - we have coverage!!

Our little slice of heaven in Kununurra

sunset with the smoke haze of yet another fire

time for a dip before discovering the sights

Ivanhoe Crossing

this important sign is well hidden!

After visiting the Sandalwood factory, the Rum Distillery and Ivanhoe crossing it

was time to chill out and take in the view of Kununurra

The Big Croc at Wyndham

Watch out Stoppy!

Wyndham Port

2000 year old Boab Tree. 25M circumference!

Giant Aboriginal Dreamtime Statues

The view from Five Rivers Lookout

The Grotto

The Grotto, but not enough water for the waterfall

...good to know

The Flinders Ranges are so beautiful but we were distracted by our excitement of seeing the family!! It was wonderful to see our Mums and kids and grandies. We spent a day with Paul, Bec and the kids at King Pin at Norwood where we played laser skirmish and could shoot them all!! Steve, Bec, Naomi and Renee all cooked us wonderful meals and Jess made an amazing bread and butter pudding. Renee had a fabulous 30th birthday, Masquerade Party where we caught up with other family. We crammed so much into the nine days we were there. We have an awesome family and are very proud of them all.
Once back on our travels we headed North to get into better weather. At first we thought we would go over to WA via the Nullarbor but it was too cold so we will head west once we get to Dunmarra. It will depend on the condition of the 400km dirt track. If not, we will continue up to Katherine and turn left. Even though we travelled this way 9 months ago, we are seeing things we didn't see before. We stayed in Coober Pedy for two nights in a hosted bush camp so we could leave the van and drive to William Creek. The round trip took 6 hours including lunch at the pub and the drive was so worth it. The road was good and we stopped a few times to look at things and feel the silence of being in the desert. Heaven! We even found Opal!!
Now in Alice Springs - love this place! We did so much last time we were here but today we visited the National Road Transport Hall of Fame and the Ghan Museum.

Back on the road again tomorrow!