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Caravan Capers, WA

April - September 2017
A 158-day adventure by Graham n Rosie Read more
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  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
    Day 1

    Day One- Adelaide to Merriton

    April 23, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Finally on the road! After a slow start we've finally managed to get our butts out of the driveway. Our first day includes a short trip to Merriton, where we overnight at mum n Trev's place. See you all in 6 months!Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
    1
    Day 3

    Merriton to Pimba

    April 25, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Well we spent the night at Merriton, and farewelled Trev bright and early to head off on our journey. I had to take a shot of my Pa's old workbench - fond childhood memories there, good to see it's being used (!!).
    After enduring a decidedly soggy drive we arrived at Spud's Roadhouse for the night. This is a traditional stopover for those coming or going north. A huge fe free camp space is available for campers with an added bonus of toilets and showers. We spent the afternoon organising the stuff that had been "thrown in" the van when we left home. Then, a short stroll to Spuds for a counter meal and beer. Nice. Today we are hoping to get to Coober Pedy, the weather is much better so fingers crossed.    Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
    1
    Day 3

    Beyond Coober Pedy

    April 25, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Well we continue to break our own rules by driving around 6 hours today just to get to a campsite north of Coober Pedy, a delightfully toilet paper-strewn spot with the poetic name of Pootnoura. No toilets, which explains the surrounding decor, but a welcome stop anyway. Caught up with a couple we came across in Pt Augusta who have an older fully off-road version of our van. Full of helpful tips and advice (them, not us), it strikes me that this is the reason we like caravanning - people are intrinsically nice, we just need the opportunity and space to prove it. And since vanners are on holiday they are automatically in a good mood and thus quick with a wave, a smile, a good deed and a beer. One day I hope to be like them. 😋The pics attached include a couple of images of our drive: getting our Easyrider groove on, Coober landscapes and POOtnoura camp

    Don't panic, we won't be posting EVERY day, we are sure to get over it soon. 😋    Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
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    1
    Day 4

    Desert Oak camp

    April 26, 2017 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Our first footprint in NT bull dust! We left Pootnoura early and easily made it here by 430, after a stop at Marla and then the SA/NT border. To mark the occasion I pulled out a couple of birthday pressies - a seriously groovy instamatic mini camera (retro is king) and a seriously daggy "selfie-stick". With both ends covered there is no way we are gonna miss a thing (tenuous Aerosmith reference there).Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
    Day 5

    Alice Springs

    April 27, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We've been here a few times so didn't feel the need to hang around beyond a quick mall walk and a coffee etc. We quite like the place, although it's a shame to see so many shops empty. Walking the mall midweek you'd expect a crowd but AS seems just to amble along in its own time. Then again I expect the mall is far too touristy for the locals to hang out in if they don't have to.

    One thing that is new is the very impressive Supreme Court of NT, a huge glass creation that dominates everything as you walk down the mall. Impressive, but I'm guessing that's the whole point.

    Not far out of AS we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn- the official boundary between desert and tropics. It's also where the saying "going troppo" describes the increased 'odd' behaviour of those trying to cope with the humidity in the buildup to the Wet season. At least that's what the sign said anyway. It also said there was free wifi but THAT was a lie, so.....    Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
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    Day 6

    Tennant Creek

    April 28, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Telstra is king out here and we were fortunate to find a phone boosting tower at our camp. Had to get a shot of Graham using this 21st century version of the ole bush telegraph.
    After leaving Ti-Tree this morning we've made our way along the Stuart highway toward our next camp. This is a road we've done a few times so didn't feel the need to get out and look at everything again. Couldn't help but get in a shot at Barrow Creek Hotel -very 'rustic' and now known as the place Joanne Lees was first taken when found by a truckie not far up the road after her ordeal with Bradley Murdoch. I doubt anyone can now drive this stretch of highway without at least momentarily thinking of Peter Falconio and what happened.
    Wycliffe Wells (alien-sighting capital of Oz?!) is another interesting stop but found it all a bit sad and grubby this time. The fact that nothing had been done to the alien display (or general shelving for that matter) since we were last through here few years ago was a bit off putting. A dust would have been good. 🙁

    So here we sit at the dump point next to sports oval, catching up on fb and emptying our toilet (it's a glamorous life) before moving on to Kunjarra (The Pebbles) - an area the locals kindly allow visitors to camp by. That's enough for one day :)    Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
    12
    Day 7

    Daly Waters

    April 29, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Arriving in Daly Waters at the iconic pub was a welcome end to a 5 1/2 hour drive. We decided to push on to get here so that we could have more time in Mataranka up the road. We arrived to see the Rodeo was in town (the paddock next door) so that was a bit of a bonus.

    The place was packed with cowboys 😍by 2pm when we arrived, most of them looking like they'd been there a while. I hoped that these were the ones that had already fallen off and said "bugger it, I need a beer" cos I didn't like the thought of some of them getting in the saddle in their current state.

    Didn't take my phone to the rodeo but Graham got some nice shots at the night session, so will post those at some point. It's an amazing set up, whether you love or hate the idea of it, there's something very raw and basic about the whole thing. And it's a serious part of life out here - these guys follow the circuit in what seems a pretty tight knit community. Of course the boys from the bush raise hell when the sun goes down (hello Lee Kernighan!) so that was fun to watch too.

    We enjoyed the Beef n Barra meal the pub is famous for and settled in the beer garden for a great meal with what turned out to be a awesome entertainment. Lou and Phil from Nimbin were a super trippy country blue "grassy"couple who harmonised beautifully, singing covers and originals during the set.

    I had to check out the business card I left stapled to the bar a couple of years ago. This is a tradition at Daly Waters so make sure you leave something behind if you're ever up this way. Took me a while to find cos some genius stapled their crap over the top. Of course it didn't take long to fix the situation (sorry Bill blah blah but that's life).

    So, off to Mataranka tomorrow to spend a day or so in the thermal springs. 🙂    Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
    1
    Day 8

    Mataranka

    April 30, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Facebook threw up a great memory-Graham by the water's edge in Venice 5 years ago today. Mum n Bridie, you guys will remember the hours we spent drinking vino by the bridge...fast forward 5 years and Graham is even closer to the water's edge - see photos!

    We've been looking forward to this stop and weren't disappointed. We stayed at the Mataranka Homestead park, less than 200m walk from the spring. The park itself has a huge open bar/restaurant and stage area for bands etc. Sadly the beer was expensive and not so cold so we didn't hang around it in the evening.

    The spring itself was really lovely- some don't like the fact that it's cemented but when you think of the thousands that visit every year, it makes sense. We followed a path to the source of the spring and the bubbling colours were spectacular! We are a couple of weeks ahead of the tourist season so it wasn't too crowded at all. Freshwater crocs are definitely around, they've stopped trapping them further up the river. They aren't much to worry about unless you annoy them Im told. 😬.

    The highlight of this stop was definitely getting out there in the early morning. The air is crisp and the steam coming up from the warm spring is magical in the sunlight. Love it ❤️

    We decided only to stay one night in the end, figured we would head to Mt Bundy Station and spend the extra days there before we are due in Darwin on the 4th. :)    Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
    Day 11

    Mt Bundy Station, Adelaide River

    May 3, 2017 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    Mt Bundy, is a working cattle station that also has a working caravan park. Scott and Sue run the show and when they're not mustering cattle, horses or water buffalo they will be fronting The Cheeky Bull Bar (the coldest and cheapest beer we've had in the Top End) and hand-making amazing pizza.

    Being a working cattle station there is an obvious ruggedness to this location and I guess that's part of the appeal. We set up camp in the unpowered section, maybe a little too close to the Adelaide River (6000 plus crocs). Nestled amongst a lush grove of trees ( which proved a challenge for our solar power), wildlife abounded. From the cutest silky wallabies, preening peacocks, dusty cattle dogs and even the gruesome cane toads which would join you in the toilets if you required a late night visit.

    The opportunity to mingle with fellow travellers is always fun and on this occasion to meet a couple who opted for a parrot rather than a caravan dog made for interesting conversation. Mt Bundy is a special place, its chemistry blended from the land, people, and its wildlife, fenced and free roaming. Thanks for the memories!    Read more

  • Graham n RosieCaravan Capers, WA
    2
    Day 11

    Adelaide River War Cemetery & Snake Crk

    May 3, 2017 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    Visited this beautiful memorial that honours the many who died when WW2 arrived on Australian shores. The impact of the Japanese attack on Darwin was immense - more bombs were dropped during the air raid of 19 February 1942 than on Pearl Harbour! In excess of 60 Japanese aerial incursions occurred over the Top End with bombings as far south as Katherine. The graves of these soldiers are meticulously maintained in an oasis of lush, green, scented gardens.

    Adjacent is a civilian section containing the graves of non service people who also became victims of the war. This included a very prominent tribute to the workers - many of whom were related - of the Darwin Post Office which suffered a direct hit from Japanese bombers, killing everyone inside.

    Adelaide River was strategically important as troops in Darwin were pushed back by the bombing. After searching over two days we eventually found the site of the old armament camp at Snake Creek. More of a secret now than it possibly was during WW2 and only accessible by 4WD. It's not signposted and has been left to rot away, because (we were told) it is on Aboriginal land and therefore no one wants to take responsibility for it.

    The remains left behind are slowly being reclaimed by the bush but you can still see some of the buildings used to make and store artillery shells and the railway line used to transport everything in and out. It's placement outside of the town in a heavily vegetated valley meant Japanese bombers would have had difficulty spotting it.    Read more

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