Cross Border NT & Banka Banka Stn.

Reaching the outskirts of Mt Isa, the terrain becomes sparse and the road is needle straight disappearing on the horizon. We can see the curvature of the earth as we look out for miles ahead, nothing but road, red dirt and scrub. We see our first speed limit sign at 130km hour but settle on 115/hr. If you want fuel economy, 100km/hr is the benchmark and that’s what the Grey Nomads drive at but it’s a compromise I guess and we just wanted to do the distance in a fair time.

Regardless, It’s another long day in the saddle and a couple of petrol stops on the way after filling up in Mt Isa, Barkly Homestead ($1.97 per litre) and Threeways Roadhouse ($1.86 per litre).

After Leaving the coast and following The Overland Way, we finally have to stop at a T-Intersection to get onto the Stuart Hwy. Remarkable, that shows you what A to B can look like in outback Australia. Threeways Roadhouse is on the junction and Tenants Creek is a few km south of the junction. We head north for a further 70km to Banka Banka Station, a remote old cattle station which provides camping and caravan sites. There’s a bell to ring at the reception gate but the dog beats us to it and stirs the owner. The earth and dust is red with mature Boab trees providing some shade and the sun is starting to create long shadows across the station.

CAMP: Banka Banka Station, NT / 1 night

We pay our $20 for the night, no electricity but spring water and toilets/showers and begin to set up the campervan. The flies here are everywhere and lots of them so this is officially the quickest set up of the campervan on record. Get it up, get in...!

After killing the dozen flies that managed to get in, Jenny goes to the car and produces her hair & face fly net, (see pics). I laugh histerically ( more at myself really) as Jen reminds me that I laughed off her purchase of one at the Boating, Camping and Fishing store saying, “I don’t need one, they look stupid”.

She rubs it in and ventures out of the Campervan to test her superhero strength, “Anti Fly Force Field”. Well it works for your head and face but they still attack your arms and legs.

I step out and get covered immediately but my secret weapon is speed. I run like the wind away from the flies, stop and enjoy freedom... for 3 seconds at least. The flies have followed of course and are even more content now I have a sweat on...!

Jenny (1) Steve (0)

We walk up to a lookout hill just on sunset and capture the changing colours over Banka Banka Station. It’s peaceful and stunning as light shadows replace dark and red dirt becomes deep plum.

Still being stalked, I improvise with a metal hub to escape the flies but this intensifies them around me like a beacon... I even sent signals to other galaxies... doh!Læs mere