Week 7

Wednesday – Leaving Katherine early (8:10 am) we arrived at Victoria Creek Roadhouse at around 11:30 am and picked out a nice flat and shady site. 

 

·         No Mobile Phone,

·         No Internet

·         No Diesel Fuel (although the tanker is due in tonight)

Victoria River Roadhouse

Although the amenities are basic, the park is located on the Victoria River and alongside the Gregory National Park.

The Victoria River Roadhouse had this interesting sign outside;

New Ownership / New Wife

The terrain around here is very rugged and spectacular;

Victoria River

We decided against walking down to the riverbank from the caravan park as the grass in this area was pretty high. This proved to be a good decision as a four metre Croc was sighted down there just yesterday! Because the Territory has had a BIG wet season this year (over three metres of rain) there are still salt water crocs all over the place. Just over a week ago a woman was bitten on the neck by a small ‘salty’ while swimming in Berry Hot Springs!

Thursday – Leaving the caravan at Victoria River Roadhouse we’re off towards Timber Creek (you’ll have to look that one up on Google Maps) 94 km to the west. Arriving at around 10:30 am we decided to treat ourselves to tea / coffee and home-made scones (yummy) at The Croc Shop.

The Croc Shop

This town also has a caravan park of sorts, plus its own reside ‘salty’. They have plenty crocs in the river all year round. I’m told there’s one every hundred metres, but I didn’t feel like challenging that survey.

After lunch we took a drive down the road to see the Old Victoria Creek Crossing which was stunning. Although this crossing is no longer used it is a popular place for tourists and fishing (no camping allowed)

Old Victoria River Crossing

Too Cold for a Skinny Dip

Nola was curious about some yellow flowering tree that had pods on it. We both haven’t a clue what it would be???

Botanist Bradley

Yes, we know its not an banana

This town also has a caravan park of sorts, plus its own reside ‘salty’. They have plenty crocs in the river all year round. I’m told there’s one every hundred metres, but I didn’t feel like challenging that survey.

Just down the road a bit we found an access road to the Victoria River. Definitely 4WD only and we also found a couple who had been camped there for about a week;

Top Spot here . . . . Mate

Our last stop was at Gregory’s Boab Tree (after Australian explorer Augustus Gregory) who compted exploration in this area in 1855-56;

Gregory's Boab Tree

Gregory Boab Tree

And of course . . . everyone loves twins;

 Everyone loves Twins

Crocodile Hunter?

Last stop at Timber Creek for lunch at the pub, before heading back to camp.

Friday – Yes we’re ‘On the Road Again’ (good name for a song eh?)

After refuelling at Katherine / shopping at Katherine we’re headed back to Mataranka just a 100km south. This time we decided to stay at the Mataranka Territory Manor which has nice shaded & level sites, plus the bonus of a swimming pool and licensed restaurant;

Territory Manor Restaurant

Drink O'clock

We blew the budget on the first night with a meal at the restaurant . . .  excellent.

Saturday – We checked out all the local places we missed on the way up to Darwin, including Mataranka Homestead (not as nice as Bitter Springs though) and also Elsey Nat. Park.

The Territory Manor has its own Barra Feeding at 9:30 am & 1:00 pm each day. I managed to get some good photos of the Barra Feeding and Nola even got into the act!!!!

Roger . . .  Get the landing net!

But who need a fishing rod?

Sunday -  After a leisurely stay at Mataranka / Territory Manor, it was time to hit the road again. With an early start today we decided to put some kms behind us. We only intended to get to Elliott, but as we arrived there at 1:00 pm we had lunch and legged it to Banka Banka Station.

Historical Plaque

Waste Not - Want Not

A True Rural Setting

Yes, I know 567 km in one day is a lot more than the 313 km (to Elliott) we had originally planned, but at least we had a wonderful campsite.

Banka Banka Station is over 150,000 km in size and this campsite is a must for every caravanner. Good level sites, plenty of spring water any the amenities were kept clean and tidy.

Monday – Heading southwards again we found a Free Camp to stay at. Only toilets and non-drinking water, but what do u expect for zero dollars? We had ¾ tank of water on board so at least we could have a hot shower in the morning – wrong. We found that our water tank meter is a bit ‘dodgy’.

I reckon the float is sticking to the side of the tank and when water drops, it still records ¾ full and now that we know this, we should be OK in the future?

Tuesday – Short trip today (200 km) south down to Alice Springs. We stopped at Aileron to take a picture of Aileron Woman, as we missed this on the way up to Darwin;

We decided to give the G’day Mate Caravan Park a try as this was somewhat cheaper than McDonnell Ranges. However when we arrived at 9:15 am we were told they couldn’t accommodate us unless we had a 13 – 14 foot caravan!

They offered us an ensuite site @ $40.00 per night (no thanks). Anyway to cut a long story short . . . . we ended up at McDonnell Ranges Cvn Pk, where they have much better facilities. I guess u only get what u pay for?