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Making Traxx
  • Tracey Rich
  • Tracey Rich

Making Traxx

We are finally leaving, so excited and stressed...haha Read more
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  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler

    Day 126 - Darwin to Cooinda

    September 3, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Lovely pool area here at Discovery Park. Progress photo of the stitches.

    On the way to the amenities this morning, this helicopter flew over, very low. When I looked at the photo, I thought it looked like a Drone.

    Back to Cooinda again for a few days, last fishing before we head home. Called into Humpty Doo and Bark Hut Inn on the way past to get some merch.

    Set up camp at the same site as last time. Then went to the Pontoon on Yellow Water, had it to ourselves for a bit. Heaps of small Barra, one very large Croc. Just as the sun was setting all the tourists arrived, got very crowed on the little pontoon.

    Beautiful sunset .

    Had Croc burgers for dinner, yum.    Read more

  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler

    Day 127 - Cooinda

    September 4, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Lazy start to the day. Went for a drive to Jim Jim Billabong, which is also a campsite. Not a good fishing spot, too many trees. Drove out and went down some dirt roads and we found an amazing wetland full of birds.

    Kept looking and came across another Billabong, which was perfect for fishing. This is what we pictured Kakadu to look like.

    Didn't see any Cros, but you just know they are there lurking under the water. 🐊

    Success at the last spot, caught and kept a good 68cm Barra plus a nice tarpon. Then, we went back to the Pontoon and caught two more, which we released.    Read more

  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler
    2

    Day 128 Cooinda

    September 5, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Up at 5.30 to go on a fishing charter, we have done lots of fishing on our trip but none from a boat.

    There were only 4 ppl on the charter, so tons of room to fish. We hooked up straight away. Everyone caught at least 1 fish. We were using frogs for surface fishing.

    When they went quiet, Gheko (the Guide) moved us further up the river and changed lures, and we trawled red soft plastics. We caught heaps of Barra, Wayne landed the biggest at 65cm. The other couple were starting to suggest we jump overboard.

    We didn't want to keep any of our legal fish, so we offered them to the other couple, as their fish were under sized. Skipper wouldn't allow it, said his rules were you can only keep what you catch.

    Saw lots of birds, some beautiful flowers, and dozens of Crocs. It was a fun morning.

    Had a rest and lunch, then went back to the Pontoon for a final fish. Caught another 3 fish, helped the couple from this morning land a nice fish. Happy days.

    The clouds are starting to build in the afternoons. I wonder if they are going to have an early wet season?    Read more

  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler

    Day 129 - Cooinda to Mataranka

    September 6, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Wished Alex a Happy Birthday, miss not being there with him to celebrate. Packed up camp and on the road again.

    Heading to stay at Bitter Springs and catch up with John and Anne. It feels like a long time since we have seen them. 5 months!

    Saw our first snake for the trip today. It was Redbelly Black. Unfortunately, we couldn't avoid running over it.

    Picked up a couple of things in Mataranka and then drove out to Bitter Springs Camp. Heaps of trees, good amenities, scored a nice drive-through site, and only 500m walk to the Springs.

    I walked down to Springs to paddle my feet, and it was just as beautiful as last time we were here. Can't swim as my knee is still an open wound, but lovely anyway. Not too many ppl, either.

    Had a few drinks with John & Anne, had a lovely night catching up on what the family is up to, and the travels we have all done over the last few months.    Read more

  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler

    Day 130 - Bitter Springs to Barkly H/std

    September 7, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    On the road by 8.30. Aiming for Barkly Homestead. Got some fuel at Dunmurra, we were going to fill up, but it was dodgy. The first bowser said no Diesel to use bowsers 2 & 3, and they had a note saying to use 5 & 8. Only put 70 lts in case their tanks were low.

    Went to Renner Springs for fuel, BP, so thought it would be ok. Again, stock must be low, only one out of 5 bowsers with Diesel
    available.

    Went past Banka Banka Tourist Park, not sure what the attraction was, but there were plenty of Vans parked up, strange as it is in the middle of nowhere.

    Random rock formations along the way, no wildlife to be seen at all, not even much roadkill.

    Got to Barkly Homestead, heaps of vans in the camp. We had a drink with John & Anne and then went to dinner. They had refurbished the restaurant since we were last there. Will always remember Barkly for the day the Queen died.

    The Homestead doesn't have the photo wall anymore, which is a shame. They do have a cool old motor bike hung up in the outside dining area and some wrestling goanna's out front.    Read more

  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler

    Day 131 - Barkly H/Std to McKinlay

    September 8, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Long drive going through flat open paddocks. Lots of road works with timed stop lights, most of which we drove through. The road certainly needs repairing, heaps of holes, lumps, and bumps.

    Back into Qld late morning, a noticeable improvement in road condition....probably temporary 😅 Surprisingly the road stayed good.

    Filled up at Mt Isa and kept driving through to McKinlay, John & Anne had decided the same place for the night.

    The Walk About Hotel from Crocodile Dundee is the caravan park. Interesting pub with heaps of memorabilia from the movie.

    When we pulled into the park, we noticed a lot of cars had their bonets up, turns out there are rats here and also at Barkly Homestead.

    Fingers crossed, none of the furry creatures got into our wiring. Our wiper washer stopped working yesterday. Checked the hose out and there were bits missing so we assume the rats were looking for water.    Read more

  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler

    Day 132 - McKinlay to Alpha

    September 9, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Well, the decent road ended at McKinlay. We knew it was too good to last.

    Uneventful drive through Kynuna, quick p stop at Winton. Saw a Plains Turkey and a few cats all different colours on the side of the road, all alive. Past some roadworks, and there were dozens of hawks hunting.

    Between Winton and Longreach, we saw a couple of Emu's, first that we have seen since leaving SA. Goats again too.

    Dr. rang to let me know I had 3 different types of bacteria in my knee....oops

    Pulled into Alpha Caravan Park, lovely big grassy sites, reception tried to sell me fresh eggs. Only 30 degs and good breeze.    Read more

  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler

    Day 133 - Alpha to Home

    September 10, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Some nice murals in Alpha. There wasn't too much traffic going in our direction, a lot of caravans heading west.

    Haven't seen roadkill on the trip like we did between Alpha and the Drummond Range. Massive big kangaroos and quite a few pigs.

    Nice to see green crops around Emerald, which makes a change from salt bush. The roads were rough, big ridges where the road had sunk, we assume because they are built on black soil. we even got air in a few spots.

    Nothing much has changed in the 4 1/2 months we have been away, still working on the ring road. The dogs hadn't forgotten us, they were both very excited. I picked the boys up from school, and they were both very happy to have us home.    Read more

  • Tracey RichMaking TraxxTraveler

    Statistics for Trip

    September 10, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Expenses:
    Food and Drinks $10,428
    Fuel $10,625
    C/Van Parks $ 5,520
    Entry fees, tours $ 2,140

    Km travelled:
    24,626

    Days away 133 (19 weeks, 4.33 months)
    - Off Grid 46
    - C/Van Parks 87

    Fuel :
    Cheapest was Darwin @ $1.79
    Dearest was 80 Mile Beach @ $2.46
    We did see it at $3.30 @ Kakadu but we didn't buy any.

    Map - This trip is marked in black, and previous travels are in green.
    What a trip ! We both loved our Caravan and seeing our beautiful country. Alex, Taj, Kobi, Harley, and Nina are all glad we are home. 😀    Read more

    Trip end
    September 10, 2024
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