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Around Oz 2023-24
  • Tanya Simmons
  • Tanya Simmons

Around Oz 2023-24

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Mt Walker

    26 juin 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Another night another sunset. Packed some prawn sandwiches for dinner and headed up Mt Walker about 10k south of Hughenden.

    Amazing panoramic views over the plains. Plus a beautiful refreshing breeze after a hot afternoon. A perfect way to end our time at Hughenden.

    Heading to Richmond in the morning.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Richmond

    27 juin 2023, Australie ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Six weeks on the road today.

    Just a short hop up the road today to Richmond. Home of the Kronosaurus. Graham had a close call ... he was almost eaten alive 😂

    Spent a lovely hour or more chatting with Maree the owner of the Drapery. Her Grandmother opened the store in 1881. Went through 2 fires, only to now to be on the brink of having to shut the business through lack of trade.

    Stayed at the local RV site again. These are so good if you are fully self contained. Only $5.00 and you can stay for up to 3 nights. Scored a nice shady spot which was a blessing another hot day 34°. We are supposed to hit rain on the weekend and the locals have imformed us the temp will drop and be cold after the rain.

    Heading to Julia Creek in the morning

    EMU COUNT
    When traveling we have a competition to see who spots the most emus.
    Finally spotted our 1st one today.
    Me - 1 👍
    Graham - 0    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Dunnarts in Julia Creek

    29 juin 2023, Australie ⋅ 🌬 26 °C

    Rolled into Julia Creek today. Camping at the RV site on the creek. Very nice, will post photos later. The council is moving us all on in the morning before the rains start. Going to be very wet for a couple of days. Hoping to get into a van park in Cloncurry.

    We did get to see the very cute, tiny dunnarts. The main attraction in Julia Creek.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Julia Creek RV Site

    30 juin 2023, Australie ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    This has to be the prettiest RV site we have stopped at so far. Shame we have to move on. There is heavy rains expected to come through from tomorrow and it can get very muddy. So the council is closing the site down so no one gets bogged in. Also saves the site from getting ripped to pieces.

    Not only is it a pretty spot, the council provides free bikes at the camp site to ride into town. There is a designated walking and bike path from the camp to town, off the main highway. About 1.2k. The local pub runs a bus to pick up campers that would like to come in for dinner and drinks. Plus there is a great camp host that runs a happy hour every afternoon.

    A big shout out to Julia Creek for doing such an awesome job 👍    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Cloncurry

    1 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    What a difference a couple of days make gone from 33° to low 20s. Rain expected to start tonight. Fingers crossed it will not be to bad. The van park is packed. Suspect others are like us. Sitting out what's being reported to be a massive dump of rain in a town not stuck in the middle of nowhere.

    Explored the John Flynn Center this morning was really interesting. Was fascinating learn more about how the flying doctors started.
    Graham found us a new ute a here.

    Then popped out to Chinamans Creek Dam and lookout. A very scenic area. Loved the Wedge Tail Eagle and budgies.
    It's amazing how much the landscape has changed. Not the flat savanna grasslands of the last few days.

    About to curl up for the night and enjoy the last of my van made Tomato Soup. 🤗    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Wet, windy & cold

    2 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Don't think we will be venturing out today. Raining, thankfully not to heavy as of yet. Very windy and cold.

    My mobile hairdresser is going to make me look younger with a hair colour. Then later today he will whip up a pot of his world famous spag bol. Alway good to travel with a multi talented man.

    While I will clean the fridge. Do a food stock take. Then a menu plan for shopping at Mt Isa to see us through to Kathreen.

    Then a day of playing cards, reading and me working on my crochet.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Still in Cloncurry

    3 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    The rains are clearing today. Will stay in Cloncurry till tomorrow. Very wet outside. We have a private pool out side our van 🏊‍♀️

    Had Jacqui and Duke ( her fur baby) drop round for a visit yesterday. Jacqui comment on my post that they were coming into Cloncurry Oasis Van Park as well. She spotted our van while walking Duke. Was nice to have visitors on a rainy day.

    Will most likely give Mark Kathleen a miss. As gravel roads to get out to the mine. Will have a chat with the info center staff this arvo.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Mt Isa

    4 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    A quick stop over to do a big shop. Woolies prices here are equally if not a bit cheaper that at home.

    There is a big area where you can leave your van while shopping. Plus has water and dump points.

    Continuing about an hour north to free camp at what is commonly known as the WW2 site.

    The sun is out again    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Last night in Qld

    4 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    All going to plan we will cross into NT via Camooweal tomorrow. State #2 coming up.

    Free camping tonight among the Spinifex, gums and red dirt. The site of a WW2 memorial where a road was build to remember those who served. Now most of the old road is lost.
    We have pulled in here for the night on a number of occasions. We would normally stop at Camooweal Lagoons tomorrow, but it had been closed to camping. So will continue over the boarder and free camp across the road from Avon Police Station.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Barkly Homestead

    6 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Stopped at Barkley Homestead for fuel. A long line up as per usual. Fuel $2.25
    The Barkly has been through some hard times since we passed through here last year. They has a fire and was burnt down. Then a they were flooded.
    It was good to see them up and trading again. But don't love the new building as much as the old one.
    A great iconic stop for travellers to refuel cars and bodies. Was good to see the goannas survived.

    Free camping again tonight about an hour north of Barkly. At the 41 mile bore. Another great stop. Flocks of cheerful Zebra finches enjoying the waterhole and lots of wattle just braking out in bloom. And interesting people to chat to.

    Will head to the 3 ways and onto the Stuart Hwy tomorrow.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Excellent Gravel Pit...

    7 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    According to Wikicamps😊. Another free camp tonight. About 21ks north of Renner Springs another road house.

    We are currently on the Stuart Hwy heading North toward Katherine. Stopped at the Three Ways to top up the fuel $2.22 Lt. Another iconic road house we have stopped at a number of times. Did get a bit excited. Thought the internet was working. Messages coming in but just spun in space when trying to send 🤔
    A road train pulled in as well. Always fun when they go passed you on the road.

    Heading north from there will take you to Darwin (Not going that far). Turning south will take you through Alice Springs right through to Port Augusta SA...we went that way last year. Taking in the West MacDonald Rangers, Uluru and Kings Cannon. Plus all the other delights right down to Port Augusta.

    Pulled in for morning tea at Attack Creek. Lots of interesting info on Stuart's travels through this area. It was named that as they were attacked by a large group of the local native men.

    Hope to stop a Daly Waters tomorrow to top up our water. Still have enough for a couple of days. But will be nice to have a longer shower.

    Will be heading to Malaranka for a couple of relaxing days in the Thermal Pool and at Bitter Springs. One of our favorite places.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Alexander Forrest Rest Area

    9 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Another free camp last night. North of the turnoff to Daly Waters. They are currently doing alot of cool burns in the area to clean off the dry undergrowth. Very common in the NT. The hwy from Daly Waters up to where we are camped and am assuming well passed have recently been burned.

    We turned into Daly Waters to pick up some water and empty the loo. Have not stopped there before. The first place to pick up water since Camooweal. (The roadhouses all have camp grounds where you can top up water if you pay to stay there). What a strange place it was. Teaming with people. There is Tims Junk Yard and a really old pub. Plus some old WW2 hangers just out of town. Was stinking hot. As other people's old junk holds no appeal to me, let along fighting crowds on a hot day to see it and pay $3 for the honour. The pub was overflowing with people so gave it a miss as well. Did check out the WW2 hanger. Was interesting to read about the time this remote airstrip was an international airport.

    We also stopped at Elliot ( a small town) for fuel. $2.35 Lt. Had a excellent little supermarket if you need supplies. We also stopped a Todd's Memorial for morning tea. Its a real history lesson travelling these roads.

    On to Malaranka today and a well earned soak in the Thermal Pool...bliss 😊    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Malaranka

    9 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We are currently in Malaranka. Camped at the van park where the Thermal Pools are. I don't think they have done any work on this place since it was built. Turning into a bit of a dump.
    Crazy crowded up here. Some many travelers. Halls Creek WA. is closed again at the moment. Everyone is banked back waiting for it to open to head north or south.
    Weighting our options. Would like to get into Edith Falls for a few night. Will try and book today in we get coverage at the local library. Would have gone to Douglas Hot Springs as heaps of room there. But it is closed. Will try and get into Katherine for a couple of days. Just playing it by ear till Halls Creek crossing opens again.
    Hope to go for a swim up at Bitter Springs today. Has been close due to a croc sighting.
    On a lighter note how sweet are the Brolgars. They were crossing the road in Malaranka when we arrived yesterday.
    Fuel $1.99 + a 5 cent discount from the van park.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Katherine

    11 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Just pulled into Katherine. Great van parking area at the info center. Handy to shops.

    We just stopping to do a little shop and other odd jobs. Will be heading through to WA from here. About 3 days till will cross the boarder. Graham is hoping to watch the State of Origin at Victoria River road house.

    Been crazy busy with school holidays and the crossing at Fitzroy Crossing WA closed again. Thankfully it opened again yesterday so the flow of travelers will move.

    Trying to head to Lake Argyle to do the sunset cruise again...first one we can get on is Tuesday next week. So will take our time heading to the boarder. Plus will probably spend a couple of night at Kununurra WA at Hidden Valley.

    Looking forward to getting to WA. Hopefully the crowds will thin a bit 😊

    Fuel $199 Lt. - our 4cent woolies discount    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Victoria River road house

    12 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Heading west. Pulled into an old favorite for the night. Victoria River road house a lovely oasis with fantastic views of the escarpment. The river flowing behind. No swimming would be full of salties 🐊
    In early so we got the spot we love under the shade of 2 trees. So cool plus a lovely breeze. Plus we have a pair of Corellas nesting in one of our trees.

    Graham can watch the State of Origin tonight up at the bar. Happy days ☺.

    Free camped last night just out of Katherine at West King rest stop. Not a huge area to pull in, but I think there was about 9 in last night. Including a lovely couple from Bundaberg.

    Fuel $2.60 Lt ☹    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Dingo Creek Lagoon

    14 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Found this great free camp yesterday. Between Victoria River and Timber Creek.
    We were only stopping for morning tea and a driver swap, but just had to stay.

    Had a lovely croc free swimming hole. But Graham had to bring the step ladder for us oldies to get up and down. We think there was a spring near just up from our camp as there was water running over the rocks and down to the creek.

    Tonight will be our last night in NT. Will free camp at the "Last free camp before WA'    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Last night in NT

    14 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    Crossing over into WA in the morning. Will be staying at Kununurra for 2 nights before heading to Lake Argyle for 2 nights. Looking forward to doing the sunset cruise on Tuesday night.

    An easy drive today. Stopped and checked out Bradshaw Bridge. It goes into a military training area. Then pulled into Saddle creek rest area for a driver swap. Bought back lots of memories from previous trips.

    Camped at the 'last free camp before WA boarder' ... another gravel pit. Can't remember if they do a boarder check for fruit and veg. So we had the last of our fruit for lunch. Had half a leek and a couple of tomatoes I cooked up into a sauce for future use. Hate throwing out good food.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Kununurra WA

    15 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Crossed into WA this morning. We are now 1.5 hrs younger according to the inspector on the boarder 👍.

    Staying at the Hidden Valley van park for 2 nights before heading to Lake Argyle.

    A lazy day. Went shopping ( fruit & veg was hard to get), washed, had a swim and cooked a roast chicken.
    For those of you doing winter we are still getting 30+° days.
    Will do a bit of a look around town tomorrow. Have been here before twice. Stayed at Hidden Valley the first time. The second we had a cabin at Town Van Park complements of RACQ after doing an axle bolt on the camper...traveling the Gibb.

    Sitting watching the sun go down over the hills behind the van park.    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Ord River Kununurra

    16 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    A short drive out this morning to checkout the Ord River and Dam.
    More water spilling over the dam than last couple of times. I think a lazy afternoon is in store for us.

    You will notice as we travel I 💖 boab trees.

    Will be heading off on our next leg tomorrow
    - Lake Argyle
    -Wyndham
    - Broom
    - Then south toward Port Headlands.
    Unless something takes our fancy and we do a little detour ☺    En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    Lake Argyle

    18 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    It was nice to spend a couple of days here this trip. When we were here about 7 yrs ago we just drove up from Kununurra for the day.

    The lake hold approx 21 x the water of Sydney Harbour. When they quarried the rocks for the outer layer of the dam wall they used to much explosive. Blow a huge hole in the ground. The explosion was felt as faraway as Sydney. There is a beautiful shady park at the end of the road after you cross the dam wall. We worth taking a picnic. The overflow pipes run a hydro power station. Plus feed the Ord River irrigation system.En savoir plus

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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Voyageur

    4x4 adventures Lake Argyle

    18 juillet 2023, Australie ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    I spotted what I thought might be an interesting dirt track to explore when we drove into Lake Argyle. Was a bit before the turn in the Duracks Homestead. No sign posts.
    Turned out to be worth the drive in with some stunning views.

    Most definitely 4wd only. Love finding these hidden treasures.    En savoir plus

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