Stuart Highway, NT

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Trip start
May 8, 2021
Stuart Highway, NT BoomerangTravellers
Alice Springs to Wauchope
May 8, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
The old overland telegraph line is over 3000km long
Adelaide to Darwin passing the occasional billabong.
One, Charles Todd decided to named after his wife
But Alice Springs lack of water caused them strife.

A true engineering feat across inhospitable land
It’s final connection to Europe deemed it grand.
Today the Stuart Highway follows the same path
Yet from Alice to Darwin we’re only covering half.

Seemingly endless kilometres with very little to see
Sighting the Aileron man sculpture in Anmatjere.
An overnight stay at Wauchope for a stunning view
Of the Devil’s Marbles now known as Karlu Karlu.

A speed limit of 130kph on this two lane road
Majority of drivers ignoring the Highway Code.
After 7000 kms in 4 weeks our Jeep requires
A stop in Tennant Creek to replace all tyres.

Surprisingly there’s a noticeable lack of road kill
Roadsides are dotted instead with various ant hills.
These protuberances tower tall from the red dirt
Some ghostly dressed in folks discarded T-shirts.Read more
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Stuart Highway, NT BoomerangTravellers
Daly Water & Mataranka Springs
May 12, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 32 °C
The odd Roadhouse eased the monotonous journey
Closed or with dodgy bowsers, but we needed to pee!
Barrow Creek is known for its bullshit and beers
Renner Springs hadn’t been renovated for years.

Daly Waters Pub is a true blue iconic stop
Helicopters & Indians make interesting props.
Bras, hats & T-shirts dangle from the ceiling
Smiles, drinks & music create a fun feeling.

In Bitter Springs, Mataranka we relaxed for a few days
With it’s tropical, natural thermal pools where we lazed.
Along the adjoining streams you can slowly float
Buoyant with colourful foam noodles as your boat.

In the early hours steam would serenely rise
Water birds scurrying away in mild surprise.
Submerged in warm water is so good for the soul
Before a McMinns Lagoon house sit, our next goal.

A fortnight gives us plenty of time to explore
Reminiscing being here with our girls in 2004.
The defence force have a strong presence here
Their current air ‘war games’ made that very clear.Read more
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Stuart Highway, NT BoomerangTravellers
Darwin surrounds
May 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Darwin and surrounds were imperative in WW2
People visit now for the park wetlands of Kakadu.
Our trip there was marred by smoke from burn off fires
And sites being shut or unmaintained ‘twas rather dire.

An indigenous elder had recently passed away
So Ubir’s famous rock art waits for another day.
Even beautiful Gulum falls of Instagram fame
Is permanently closed due to a native title claim.

Entering Umbugarra Gorge was a rough ride
With corrugated surface and washed out sides.
Surrounded by layered, craggy, red rock towers
Darwin Wollybutt blooming with orange flowers.

My favourite National Park by far is Litchfield
Access is easy with most roads being sealed.
Glorious Florence and the double Wangi falls
Swimming at Buley Hole shaded by rock walls.

Sunset at Darwin markets at Mindl Beach
Dudley Point vistas at the Eastern Reach.
Ocean is warm but Crocodiles mean no dips
So off to Stoke Hills wharf for fish and chips.Read more
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Trip end
May 30, 2021

Alice Springs to Wauchope

Daly Water & Mataranka Springs

Darwin surrounds