Heading into WA

Katherine to Timber Creek

The Victoria Highway west from Katherine is very picturesque. The trip from Katherine to Timber Creek was most enjoyable - good road, nice scenery and beautiful weather. Stayed a couple of nights at Timber Creek which is a small town about 280k south west from Katherine. The park we stayed in was nice and quiet with only a few caravaners.Camped under a big Boab tree.

Feeding Freshwater Crocs in Timber Creek

Timber Creek has an actual creek which was just behind our caravan park. The creek feeds into the Victoria River and is inhabited by a large numbers of birds and a few freshwater crocs. With the help of park staff, we had the opportunity to feed them from a bridge over the creek. The crocs were partial to fresh steak and fresh fish.Talk about being spoiled!

Freshwater Crocodile

Spotted this freshie in Timber Creek. It was of medium size but they are generally smaller than the saltwater variety. They are distinguished by their pointy snout and smaller head. Unlike the "salty", due to their size they are not harmful to humans as they can only handle eating fish and small animals. Nevertheless, they need to be watched and it's not recommended to swim with them!

Ord River in Partial Flood at Ivanhoe Crossing

Kununurra is another beautiful town just inside the WA border from NT. It has about 6,000 people and like many towns out here, exists mainly on tourism. There are 6 van parks there with a couple very high standard. We stayed at the Ivanhoe which is 4 stars, with nice pool and amenities. Kununurra was formed around the time the Ord River project started (about 50 years ago) and a must see for tourists travelling west. All facilities are there including supermarkets,  hospital, schools, sports fields and commercial outlets. It would be a pleasant place to live.

Lake Argyle

 A must see in this area is Lake Argyle. This lake was formed about 40 years ago when the Ord River was dammed to provide water for the farms in the area.The result was a huge lake measuring about 1200 sq Km, depending on the capacity. Currently it's equivalent to about 21 Syndey Harbours but recently, during heavy rains it was up to 40 Sydney Harbours! The depth varies from a few to 55 metres and averages 28 m. Water temp is usually around 28 deg making it ideal for freshwater crocs.

Sunset over Lake Argyle

 Took a cruise on the lake with a beautiful sunset the highlight. Also took a swim in the middle of the lake. 28 deg, 38m depth - not bad! The lake has several islands which are inhabited by a variety of wildlife, notably crocs, 28 species of birds, wallabies and an abundance of fish. All types of boats are allowed on the lake and unrestricted fishing without a licence.

Lake Argyle with Resort Pool in Foreground

 The lake has a caravan park, facilities, store and restaurant but they are building a resort to cater for the growing number of tourists. It's a beautiful place to spend a few days, with idyllic weather, nice facilities and fantastic scenery.

Cambridge Gulf from Wyndham Lookout

Travelled the 105km north from Kununurra up to Wyndham, which is located on Cambridge Gulf. This is where 5 rivers flow into the Gulf and out into the Timor Sea (Ord, Forrest, Pentacost, Durack and King). Spent a relaxing 2 days here in a nice shady van park. Temperature today was 31 deg and 16 overnight. Pretty good for winter. They get lots of rain in the summer so it wouldn't be so great then!

Sunset over Cambridge Gulf - Spectacular

 Wyndham is one of WA's oldest towns dating back over 130 years. There is a small port here which is used to bring in goods for the Ord River project and the east Kimberley region. Also used to export iron ore from a nearby mine. The trucks go 24 hrs a day - 7 days a week. Fishing is also big here and many of the tourists staying for long periods to take advantage of the conditions. Moving on from here down to El Questro, on to the Bungle Bungles then over through the Kimberleys to Broome

Katherine and Surrounds

41 Mile Bore Rest Area - Nice Fire

 Left Mt Isa and stayed at Camooweal to watch the State of Origin. Big mistake, thought we would win! Found another nice rest area near the Three Ways where there were about 6 more vans. Lucky we have our own loo as Diane objects to the bush variety. Watched the fire for an hour or so until our wood ran out. Camp fires are very popular at these places and wood is scarce.

Water Buffalo at Dunmara

Dunmara is a quite little place on the Stuart highway about mid way between Three Ways and Katherine. We had stayed there before so we knew what it was like - peaceful with adequate amenities. We were entertained by the water buffalo in a nearby paddock. The roadhouse shop sold buffalo steaks and hamburgers but we didn't try them!

 

Diane in the Mataranka Hot Springs

Mataranka is located about 112 km south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway. Its famous for the hot springs (about 34 deg) We stayed at the Binter Springs homestead where the warm water emanates from the Rainbow Spring, flows through the pools and eventually into the Roper River. An amazing 30 million litres per day flow through the pool! The area has a number of lyre birds (peacocks) which are very tame. They come right up to your van to be fed and would go inside if you let them.

The Beautiful and Serene Katherine River

Made the short trip to Katherine and booked into the Big 4 Low Level Resort. This is located in the Low level reserve on the Katherine River. Fishing is very popular here with barramundi often caught in the river. Today we rode along a nice cycle track from the park and into the town. On the way back we stopped at the Katherine Springs for a relaxing dip in the warm water. Katherine is most famous for the Gorge which we had visited previously. The town has all the necessities for the traveller and a good spot to stop for a few days. Had the car tyres checked and rotated here and stocked up on fuel and provisions.

Springvale Homestead

Visited the oldest farming homestead in the Territory at Springvale, just near our van park. The property was started in 1870 and originally 20,000 sq miles. It began with 12,000 sheep and 3000 cattle but the climate and environment weren't favourable and eventually it failed. It's now only one square mile and a tourist attraction with van park, restaurant and reserve.

Water Lillies in a Katherine River Billabong

The Springvale Reserve has a beautiful billabong which has many birds and animals including a small shy croc. Its a popular spot for tourists and locals to chill out.  There is an abundance of yabbies in the river and we saw quite a few nets set to catch them. One local said he often catches 40 to 50 and this is just about enough to feed his family. I think he liked to eat them!

Along the Landsborough Highway to Mt Isa

A B Paterson at the Winton Memorial

Winton is north-west from Longreach and another historical Queensland town. Banjo Paterson spent a lot of time here and wrote "Waltzing Matilda" on a property near the town. There is a Tattersalls Hotel here as well. I wonder how many Tatts Hotels there are in Australia? Stayed one night in the van park and had a quite beer and a bet in one of the four pubs.

Relaxing at Fountain Springs Rest Area

Decided to stay in a rest area called Fountain Springs which is mid way between Cloncurry and Mt Isa. A popular spot as the place was full. Had a nice camp fire which was difficult as there wasn't much firewood around. It was a most pleasant way to end a day's driving with a beer and stare at the fire.

MT Isa by Night

 Although located in the far west of Queensland, Mt Isa appears not to lack anything. All facilities, shopping and services are here. The climate is quite good with warm days and cool evenings. The pool at our park was inviting. Had a meal and a few drinks at the Overlander Hotel tonight. Reasonable prices and good food - even won $40.00 on the Pokies! Leaving tomorrow after we get the caravan bearings serviced and Diane gets her hair done. The picture above was taken from the lookout above the town. The smelter in the background dominates the city.

Along the Mitchell Highway

Tattersalls Hotel at Barringun

 Stopped for morning tea at a quaint hotel called Tattersalls in the tiny town of Barringun, right on the NSW/Qld border. This is the last hotel in NSW before the border. The elderly licencee served us a nice coffee and beautiful homemade cakes. She was a hive of information and told us about the happenings in the district

Cunnamulla Post Office

Cunnamulla is a beautiful little town in the south west of Queensland. It has a number of historic buildings and is famous for being the home of the Cunnamulla Fella. A country and western song made famous by Slim Dusty. Diane's great aunt (Aunty Alice (Evans) was post mistress here for 40 years in the middle of last century. The post office has been restored and is in very good condition.

Nadoo Station

Stayed a night at the Nadoo Station, a working cattle station. Just after we arrived 3 jackeroos mustered a large mob of cattle into holding yards within the grounds. The caravan park was actually inside the station. In the evening we were entertained by a family member with his guitar, mandolin and country songs. We mixed with the staff and heard stories of their life on the land. Nadoo Station has recently been sold and the park has to move as the new owners aren't interested in tourist parks.

Diane and her Hungry Friend

Spent a couple of days in Charleville at the Evening Star park. This again is a working cattle station and was very relaxing. Wild animals and bird life everywhere as shown in the photo. A nice tidy and clean town with some historic buildings and a RFDS centre. Visited the Cosmic Centre where we saw several stars, planets and the moon through their powerful telescopes

Bourke

The Show Grand Champion Merino

Bourke is a sleepy town of about 2500 people.One of the big events of the year is the Bourke Show and we were lucky to be there for it. The show featured horse jumping, sideshows and the highlight was the sheep and wool judging. We were fortunate to see Gabi Hollows (Fred's widow) present the prizes to the winners. Fred Hollows had a special relationship with Bourke and is buried there. The Darling River passes through Bourke but the water level was pretty low.

Freecamping

Glenariff Rest Area

After setting out from home on the 9th May, we had stops in very cold Orange and Dubbo before a free camp at a stop called Glenariff Rest Area. Very quite as we were the only people there. No problems, though but we will try to stay at free stops where there are other people in future. Red dirt everywhere (see picture). Set off bright and early the next day for Bourke.

Huskisson at Easter 2011

An Evening over Jervis Bay

Enjoyed a relaxing week with the family at Huskisson. This is a beautiful sunset looking over Jervis Bay from our caravan.