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Nan and Pa's new adventure
  • Nana n Pa Woollams

Nan and Pa's new adventure

A 78-day adventure by Nana n Pa Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 16, 2023
    Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Just driving

    July 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Not much happened yesterday.
    Left home at 8.00am after saying goodbye to Sonya & Andrew and just spent to day driving.
    Crossed the border at Barringun and camped for the night about 25ks out of Cunnamulla. Heading to Longreach today.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Day 2 Camped on Barcoo at Tambo

    July 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    We said we were heading to Longreach, still on but only got to Tambo today. We lost an hour this morning and several more minutes during the day trying to work out this Penguin thing. Tonight we are camped on the Barcoo River at Tambo. Not much happening yet, just more driving. Hope to get our fridge looked at in the next couple of days before we hit the warmer weather.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Macsland Rest area

    July 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Left Tambo this morning and headed to Longreach, just another day of driving. We rang Joseph of Traccs repairs and parts at Longreach at 8.30 this morning and he said call in at 2.00 and he would look at the fridge. Great service and fridge fixed, so all is good. Camped tonight at Macsland rest area about 20ks west of Longreach. Heading to Mary Kathleen tomorrow hope to have a bit more to share and a few more pics.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler
    McKinlay
    Cloncurry River

    Day 4 Mary Kathleen

    July 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Left our camp at Longreach and headed to Winton. Fuelled up and headed west. Pulled up for a cuppa about 10ks out and found the fridge not working again on 12v. I think it's a different thing this time. Met a bloke at last night's camp who told us his 12v hasn't worked for 8yrs, so not too worried. We had a good drive today. A bit more to see and took a few more photos We are camped tonight at Mary Kathleen along with about another hundred vans but as you can see by the photos still plenty of room. We have a few 4 legged neibours as you can see. Headed into Mt Isa in rhe morning after that all new territory.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Day 5 David Hall rest area

    July 19, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    We left Mary Kathleen and headed in to Mt Isa. After filling up and getting a gas bottle refill we decided to head out of town for morning tea. After morning tea we were all set to keep going to Camooweal when we remembered we hadn't filled up with water or emptied the loo. I googled dump point and off we went. Google took us to Dump Rd, no dump point. Mum looked at Wiki Camps and we headed off again. Finally found what we were looking for and did what we had to do and headed off. As you can tell by looking at our tracking map it was quite an ordeal. At least we never went to Rockhampton. We called in and had lunch at a free camp that had no phone coverage so we moved onto where we are tonight.
    We had a beer withI Franz, a man from Switzerland who has ridden a bike right around the coast all the way from Perth ( 7 months) and is heading to Broome where he flies back home on 9th September. We are heading into Camooweal tomorrow and then to Barkly Homestead where we will meet Murray and Yvonne.    Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    CAMOOWEAL

    July 21, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    After saying good bye to our new friend Franz we left our camp and arrived in Camooweal mid morning and had a look around. We called into the supermarket/Post office and bought some bread. The lady behind the counter told us that the closure of the free camping had nothing to do with the towns people, it was all instigated by the council in Mt Isa, and they were not happy about it at all. We visited the Drovers camp museum which is small but very interesting. After filling up we headed off crossed into NT and spent the night at Avon Downs police station rest area.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Avon Downs

    July 22, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    After crossing into NT we spent the night at Avon Downs rest stop. This place has an interesting history. It was established in January 1882 by Thomas Guthrie. In September that same year began the longest sheep drive in Australia's history. 11,000 sheep left Rich Avon in NW Victoria. 16mths and 3,500kms later 4000 sheep arrived at Avon Downs eventually the number grew to 70,000 head. Unfortunately all the sheep have been sold and have been replaced by 14000 head of cattle. Thomas Guthrie asked for a police station to be established to protect him from horse thieves and other criminals. Not sure when it was established but it is still here today.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Barkly Homestead

    July 23, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    Arrived at Barkly Homestead on Friday and spent 2 nights with Murray and Yvonne. This is an amazing place, brought by the owners in '21 for around 14 million and after a fire in the kitchen last year, followed by extensive renovations it has reopened. When we arrived they were still painting the sign on the roof and we met one of the owners Susan Bassingthwaighte planting the new garden. It has been good catching up with the Hales and doing nothing except chatting, eating and drinking. Heading off today, not sure how far we will get.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Heading to Mataranka

    July 23, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After saying farewell to Murray and Yvonne we headed off to 3 Ways on the Stuart Highway. It was blowing a gale from the SSE and it was freezing. Luckily for us it was coming from behind us so helped us with fuel economy. After fueling up at 3 ways we headed off towards Katherine. We pulled up about 3pm and camped at what we thought was just a gravel pit but surprisingly there were lots of quite large tracks into the surrounding scrub. We went for a bit of an exploration and found a god spot to settle in for the night. I took a bit of walk and found a good variety of wild flowers on shrubs and plants. After a good night's sleep we headed into Mataranka.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Mataranka

    July 24, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Arrived in Mataranka about 3.30pm and after getting fuel and some essentials like bread and milk headed off to the thermal pools. Last time we up this way we never went to the springs so finally we got to have a dip. It was warm in the water and so relaxing but because we arrived so late and needed to be in Katherine the next day we didn't spend as much time there as we would have liked. After about an hour in the pool we left and headed towards Katherine and stopped for the night with about 45ks still to travel the next day.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Katherine

    July 26, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We arrived in Katherine on Tuesday 25th and took a walk along the main street and had a look around the town. After doing some grocery shopping we headed to the Katherine Farmstay and set up camp and waited for Russell, Michelle and the girls to arrive. It was so great to finally catch up with them. Today we did the Katherine Gorge boat trip, it really is a spectacular place . Tomorrow we head west with Russ and the family which will be fantastic.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Saddle creek rest area

    July 27, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 24 °C

    Spent most of the day driving and arrived at Saddle Creek about 5.00pm. There wasn't much room to camp but we were able to find 2 spots side by side. It's amazing how the country changes. We went from open flat country to quite high and rugged hills and jumpups The country is reasonably covered but starting to dry out and surprisingly the cattle were quite poor in condition. We had a great roast pork dinner. Thank you MichelleRead more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Kununurra Showground

    July 28, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    We arrived in Kununurra this morning after crossing the Western Australia border. Because of the time difference, after travelling about 2 hours we set up in the showground about 1/2 hour after we left Saddle Creek. We settled in and after lunch we travelled out to Molly Springs for a swim. The water was cold but very refreshing as the weather today was quite hot. Following our swim we travelled back to town and had a look at the Sunset from Kelly's Knob. A lot of people had the same idea and it was hard to find a parking spot. Settled in tonight watching the cricket and heading to Wyndham tomorrow.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Wyndham Excursion

    July 29, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Today we took a trip out to Wyndham along the Parry Creek road. After crossing the Ord River at Ivanhoe Crossing we continued on a not too bad dirt road coming across an old chimney that I'm sure had a story to tell but there were no signs attached so we don't know.we drove down to a boat ramp on the Ord and had morning tea. Next we travelled to the Marlgu Billabong then back to Parry Creek Farm for lunch. Arrived in Wyndham mid afternoon and after having a great conversation with a group of local Aboriginal people we continued on our way and drive up the 5 Rivers Lookout. Back in Kununurra tonight and heading to the Bungles tomorrow.
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  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler
    Secret women's business

    Spring Creek

    July 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    We left Kununurra and after a four hour drive arrived at Spring Creek. This is a great spot on the river albeit very crowded as it is the main parking spot for those heading to Bungle Bungle National Park.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    A day in the Bungle Bungles

    July 31, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    We left this morning a bit after 6.00am and headed to the Bungle Bungles. The road in is an adventure in itself, corrugated, stony and more than 25 water crossings. It took us about an hour and three quarters to reach the visitors centre. After paying our fees we headed off to the northern end of the park, about 1/2 hour drive. But stopping at places of interest and photo opportunities increases the time greatly. We finally arrived at the parking area for the Echidna Chasm. A quick walk up the lookout and then off to the Chasm. This is a very pleasant 1km walk along stony creek bed lined with Livistona palms. The chasm is 180mts long, cool and narrow but when the sun is overhead the walls glow. There were heaps of people waiting for just the right time to snap a shot.
    After a great experience at Echinda Chasm we headed to the southern end of the range. After another rough trip of about hour twenty minutes we arrived at the place that everyone recognises as the Bungles, the orange and black 'bee hives' and they are spectacular, well worth the drive in. We visited the Domes, Catheral Gorge and wandered through the 'bee hives'. After a long day we worked up the courage to tackle the track back to Spring Creek and arrived back in camp about 6.00pm a bunch of tired but happy campers.    Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Ngumdan Cliff rest area.

    August 2, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    After a good night's sleep following our big day in the 'Bungles' we headed towards Fitzroy Crossing. We stopped for fuel at Halls Creek and what an ordeal that was. The self serve fuel was at least 20cents a litre cheaper than anything else in town so you could imagine how many vans were there. We were about 5th in line with Russell about 7th and we almost reached the bowser, one to go, and the ATM went out. After a few phone calls and about half hour later it came back on. So after about an hour, we filled up, popped into the supermarket, (frozen bread and bottled water) and headed to Fitzroy Crossing. The activity at the new bridge build was hectic, people and machinery everywhere. I suppose they have to have at least the bridge foundations well and truly in place before the next wet season. Called into the visitors centre, more fuel, water in our van tanks and off to Ngumban Cliff rest area where we spent the night.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    RAAF Boab Quarry

    August 2, 2023 in Australia

    After leaving Ngumban Cliff we called in at the Boab Quarry for morning tea. It was such a special spot, we decided to stay the night. The Quarry was excavated to build the airstrip at Curtin RAAF base at Derby. The water must be spring fed, it is cold but very refreshing on a hot West Kimberley winters day. The rocks surrounding this man made "gorge" are magnificent with steep walls and caves scattered throughout the surrounding rocks.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Lennard River

    August 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We left our camp at Boab Gorgeak and headed off to Tunnel Creek. The road wasn't too bad with one fairly long and not too deep water crossing. Nan didn't go into tunnel creek but I did and it was really good to go right through this time. We were here 5years ago and didn't make it all the way. I never took my phone, so no photos but check out Brookes blog. From there we headed towards the Gibb River Road and spent the night at Lennard River crossing. Not much room but we were able to camp next to each other.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Derby

    August 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    Travelled into Derby from Lennard River, a rather uneventful journey of about 130kms. On arrival we booked into a fairly roomy caravan park at Derby but like most van parks up this end of the world we were made very aware of the need to lock everything up and to keep our keys virtually in our pocket. Having said all that, this is a very interesting place and at no stage did we fell unsafe. We had a bit of a look around, more shopping, then we headed down to the wharf, along with a lot of other, for a drink and some nibbles while we watched the sunset. They have huge tides up here and when we arrived the tide was going out quite quickly. An hour later and you could hear it racing under the wharf and had dropped several mtrs. The sunset was magic and some great photos were taken. Woke up the next morning to the news that someone had their vehicle stolen during night. They went to the 'loo about 2am, didn't lock the van and had their keys stolen. The front gate has a truck parked across it during the night but the thief just drove their car through the high colourbond fence. We were leaving that day but not sure if I would have stayed another night.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Derby to Broome

    August 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    We left Derby this morning and headed towards Broome stopping for the night on the Fitzroy River. It was a bit of a challenge getting in but after a few hiccups we found a couple of spots on the river and set up camp. This was a great spot with trees and sand on our side and crocodiles on the other side. The following morning we headed off to Roebuck Plainse caravan park. We were about 40ks out when we got a phone call that there was some mixup with our booking. When we arrived it seemed like someone refused to move so there was only one site. Russell had the powered site but it was very small and we were put down the back on the grass, no power but heaps of room. They gave both of us our money back but it should not have happened. The next day we booked into Broome Gateway Park about 25mins out of Broome, again no power but heaps of room.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Broome to Barn Hill Station

    August 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    After a great time in Broome we headed of once again, this time only a relatively short drive to Barn Hill Station. This is a great spot on the end or beginning of 80 mile beach depending on which way you're heading. The road in was a bit Sandy and corrugated but not too bad. We were only staying one night so as soon as we were unhooked and set up it was straight to the beach for a swim. We all enjoyed our time in the water but maybe if we knew what else was in there with us, we might not have. (see photo) We joined Russell and the crew at their clifftop site for afternoon tea and following another evening taking sunset photos We retired to our van for a well earned rest but not before checking out the toilets and showers. I think they got sick and tired of replacing the roof following cyclones, so they decided it would be better to just leave it off and that's what they did. So now you have a shower under the stars and a 'loo with a view.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Port Hedland

    August 12, 2023 in Australia

    After leaving Barn Hill Station we headed towards Port Hedland and after stopping for lunch and fuel at Stanfire we continued on and spent the night at a gravel pit a couple of hours out of Port Hedland. We called in at Pardoo Roadhouse which is no longer operating after being severly damaged following a recent cyclone. Arriving in P.H. we set up and went for look around town. This place, though not very pretty, is a hive of activity. Huge trains and very big road trains, bringing iron ore to the port and huge ships taking that ore to places all over the world, but mainly to China.
    Salt is also a major item with Rio Tinto exporting over a million tonnes a year. But with all that iron ore, the area around the port is just covered in red dust. We went out to South Hedland to do some shopping and it is a much cleaner, greener place.    Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler

    Marble Bar Day 1

    August 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We parted ways with Russ, Michelle, Kate and Brooke this morning, no, we didn't have a blue, they are heading down the coast, snorkeling, swimming and exploring the reef and we are headed inland to check out the gorges and to play with the big trucks. Today we headed to Marble Bar, planning to free camp because we thought everything would be booked out. To our surprise we were able to get 2 nights on a powered site in the caravan park so we grabbed them. We didn't do much today, just drove in the 200 odd kms, set up, relaxed and wandered down to the pub about 5pm for a drink and a yarn. We are planning to go exploring tomorrow.Read more

  • Nana n Pa WoollamsNan and Pa's new adventureTraveler
    Chinaman Pool
    Chinaman PoolChinaman PoolMarble BarMarble BarGLEN HERRING GORGEGLEN HERRING GORGEGLEN HERRING GORGEThe end of GLEN HERRING GORGEMGM Bulk 136Flying Fox LookoutJasper fossicking areaDoolena GorgeDoolena GorgeDoolena GorgeDoolena GorgeDoolena Gorge

    Marble Bar day 2

    August 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Today we packed a lunch and headed off early to explore our surrounds. First stop was the Marble Bar which is about 5kms west of the town and crosses the Coongan River. When we got there we thought it was a great spot but we were a bit disappointed in the Marble Bar. Turned out we were at Chinaman Pool and not right on the Marble Bar. This really is a petty spot with grass and picnic tables, black swans, pelicans, ducks on quite a large but not huge waterhole and lots of other bird life in the surrounding trees. After a look around, too early and too cold for a swim, we headed off to the Marble Bar car park about another hundred metres from where we first turned in. It is sign posted Marble Bar Pool but there is very little water. The colours and size of this Jasper Bar is quite impressive. From there we headed out to Glenn Herring Gorge a drive of about 35 km with the first 20 bitumen up to the turnoff to Sanjiv Ridge one of Gina Rhineharts iron ore mines. The drive into the Gorge wasn't bad but I don't think I would take a van in. You can drive right in and it is only a thirty minute return walk along the river bed. It was pretty spectacular and well worth the trip out. We then headed back towards town and got sandwiched between 2 Road trains headed to Port Hedland. Being curious, I thought this was a good opportunity for a chat. I asked a few questions and found out they carry 151 tonne of iron ore and all up they weigh 206 tonnes with 106 tyres on the road. They travel half way to P.H. and drop their trailers and hook onto empty ones then return back to the mine, fill up and then travel all the way into Port Hedland with the next load.. So they do one and a half trips a day, about 450kms.
    We called into the flying fox lookout and the Jasper fossicking area then headed out to Doolena Gorge about 40kms out on the Port Hedland Road. We were going to free camp there on the way into Marble Bar but fortunately I missed the turn off. I say fortunately because it was not easy to get into, big potholes filled with bulldust, and once you started on the track nowhere to turn around with a van on. I don't know if we would have made it. There were three campers in there in an assortment of small off road ,caravans and campers. But it is fantastic spot. A big river running through a small but beautiful gorge. At the moment it is only a big waterhole but lots of waterbirds, pelicans, black ducks, egrets, and others. We had lunch and headed back into town and went up the watertank lookout took some photos then back to camp and had a well earned drink after a long and satisfying day.    Read more

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