Just a couple of days in a van park to wash off the red dust from the gravel roads between Gregory Downs and here.
Gregory Downs was a very picturesque spot, beautiful river, great for swimming or canoeing and plenty of redclaws. Room for about 15 vans or m/homes. No facilities but it's only about 200 metres from the pub.
The road to Burketown was pretty rough although not as bad as the Plenty Hwy. Burketown was a big disappointment, and I didn't dare buy the famous hamburger from the roadside caravan. I can't take the risk of food poisoning while travelling.
Hells Gate was OK, $20 for an unpowered site, but the shower was welcome.
Road improved as soon as I crossed the border into NT. Up to 85 kmh for a lot of the way, but some SERIOUS creek crossings, not all that deep, only about 500mm, but some very steep entry and exits.
I pulled into the van park at Borroloola following the recommendations of some WA travellers I met at Gregory Downs. (Would you believe, they're the parents of the bloke who sold me the van in Perth - talk about a small world). Carol at the Borroloola van park only charged me a "single rate" seeing I'm travelling alone. Wish more parks would do that. $12.50 a night for a powered, watered site is just about free.
I'm off West tomorrow, heading for the Stuart Hwy. I'll probably spend a couple of days at Goanna Creek free camp outside Cape Crawford and then head for Daly Waters and Darwin. I've done that road several times so I might just motor right on through.
I've updated the blog with plenty of pictures so have a peek if your're interested.
Don't stop or buy too much fuel at Barkly Homestead Sue. They're thieves and it's a well know fact around the country. If you really need fuel when you get there, just buy the minimum to get you to your next destination. Other than that, I'm jealous. You're making good miles. Safe and happy travels.
PS. Can you tell us what you've been paying for fuel ULP or Diesel. I'm curious. I'll put a new topic on the nomad general forum. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Sue, as far as I'm aware, Bing Bong is just a loading facility for the HYC mine in the area. It's a bitument road out there, 42 kms, but the signs say that access is restricted. King Ash Bay is a fishing resort, so I haven't got a clue what it's like. Bitument half way then gravel, but I don't think it's 4WD. You can get a boat in town which goes out to King Ash.
Granny, Fuel in Borroloola. At the first station coming into town, it's $1.72 for ULP and $1.77 for diesel, but 500 metres up the road at the Ausfuel, it's 25c cheaper.
Thanks Mike, Im still curious, so I guess Ill head for Borroloola staying o/nite at Cape Crawford. Keep heading West, I think. Never know from day to day Chris, Barkly Homestead is pretty good its just crowded. Diesel is $1.77/litre. As opposed to Camooweal which was $1.74 (where I filled up) and the Shell roadhouse where I decided to stay o/nite was $1.65. (Ill get it right one day). A couple here just back from Borroloola said that Cape Crawford is $2.50/litre and King Ash Bay 45 k away is $1.49. Go figure. Talked to a couple of road-train drivers (the 53 metre ones) having tea last night, nice fellows.Told me single lane road and plenty of places to pull over and let them pass. Just common sense, they said. Which it is. Bed time, Im jet lagged, the half hour time difference is a killerlolCheers, Sue
Sue, you're driving too fast again. The truck drivers are a great source of info on the road. The conditions, the fuel, the traffic etc. They're severely underrated. You seem to be making good miles following that man Mike around the country. You'd think he'd wait for you so you could tagalong and share the camp. I'm sure you'll work it out. Just drive according to the conditions and all will be ok, but you do have to make allowances for the other idiot's stupidity. Keep us posted. And I'm really, really jealous. I'm stuck here waiting for medical test outcomes, and you blokes are out there checking out the country. I'm jealous, and getting really cranky and impatient with the Qld health system. I guess my time will come. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Chris, the fuel at Cape Crawford is $2.25 for diesel. Out of ULP. $1.65 at Daly Waters. Will restock at Katherine. Then Victoria River - west. Hundred of caravans on the road and everywhere is crowded. Guess I picked the wrong time of year to be here. more nomads here than school hol familes. Think a novice female nomad might cramp Mike's style...would think there's probably no NextG signal where I'm headed - none at Cape Crawford - no radio reception nothing but palm tree, warm weather and peace...ahhhbut will survive...cheers Sue
Sue, Vic River is a nice park. Then it's Kununurra where things are pretty tight at the moment. You will have phone and internet coverage there. A mate is heading that way from Broome today, and will be parking up at Knx tomorrow (Thurs). He booked ahead to Ivanhoe c/Pk. Lakeside was packed and not taking bookings. I don't know about the town park or the Lake Argyle Pk. It is the busiest time of the year up there. If you're heading towards Broome after Knx stay at the free camp at Mary's Pool. Top spot between Halls Creek and Fidaroy Xing. (Fitzroy). You're in my fave country there. My heart is in the Kimberleys and I really miss that part of this big land of ours. Stay safe and be kind to the road trains ha ha ha. Those triples take up a lot of the road. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Thanks Chris. Decided to move on to Kununurra. Just like everone else. And yes it's very tight. Will have a good look around but am too late to book some places. Free camps here I come...
Hi msue.Did you call into Kingash Bay? I have a girl friend and her hubby live there. We've been there several times and just get the best time at their pub.
No I didn't, DellieMay. Damn! Wish had now. Figured it would have been booked out, like everywhere else around there. Stupid really, being so close. I would have enjoyed it. It's stored in the memory bank now (not mine, my laptop). If I get back to the area, I'll know where to go.....sue
