Alice Springs
Well after 7 days, we finally broke the anchor chain in Mt Isa, it was extremely interesting
Our first stop was Camooweal, just for some diesel, we thought as it had only taken us 2 hours, and from what we saw, there was not too much more to see. We did have a chat with a couple who were in a 5th wheeler, and did say that we thought we would stop at Barkly Homestead Roadhouse. Their retort was, “watch your arms and legs”, they then explained how expensive it was.
Undeterred, your intrepid adventurers bumped over the line between Queensland and the Northern Territory, and the speed limits went from 110 klm’s/hour to 130 klm’s/hour, we sat on our 95 klm’s/hour, (better economy) and headed to Barkly Homestead Roadhouse.
We booked in ( $24 per night) same price as others, and parked the van. We remained hooked up, as we intended taking off pretty early, mmmmmmmmm
After setting up, the obligatory happy hour ritual was enforced, it had to be 4 P.M somewhere, and it was a long drive. Loz was a bit reluctant to meet this other couple, Kell and Janette ( from Victoria) but I did finally persuade her. Anyway, after one beer, it was suggested that we adjourn to the verandah of the homestead, there to partake of the fine ales and wines and watch that passing parade of road trains.
It was here we met Dusty. How does one describe Dusty. 5 foot 6 inches, bout 8 stone ringing wet, bearded, a hat that was only his, skin like leather, smoked like a train, softly spoken, blue singlet and faded jeans. Dusty was the typical Aussie drover, although he doesn’t do it anymore, but he had some stories to tell. He now resides at Barkly Homestead, as a general roust-a-bout, cleaning up and general handyman. I reckon he gets free feed and lodgings for his wages.
We decided to have a meal in the roadhouse, along with Kell and Janette, boy can that Kell drink, phew. It was a great night and a lot of fun was had by all. Dusty wanted to buy us more drinks, but we had reached out waterloo.
We got away late the next morning, I did hear a comment that I’m not allowed to see Kell again, and Kell is not allowed to see me, wonder why?????
The trip from Barkly to Tennant Creek was straight road, straight road and straight road. One did feel that we were climbing all the time, but I have been informed by those in the know, that it is fact, the curvature of the earth.
We turned left at 3 ways and drove 24 kl’s to Tennant Creek for fuel and lunch. Tennant Creek is a lovely little town, very clean, but as it was still early we decided to travel on, we wanted to see the Devil’s Marbles, closer to Whycliffe than Tennant Creek.
Whycliffe is a great little camp site, apparently it is the home of UFO sightings, so there is a lot of paraphernalia around the camp sight depicting this phenomena. Once set up at Whycliffe, it was back to the Marbles. Its unbelievable, that in a few acres there could be such a change of scenery. Rocks upon rocks, mostly round, just sitting on each other. It really does beggars belief!!
From Whycliffe (Wednesday 1st April) we drove to Alice Springs, passed through a fuel stop called Aileron, just off the highway, and the three carvings, or moldings of the male, female and child of Aborigine are beautiful, these figurines are probably twenty foot tall, and perfect in every detail. Fuel was the most expensive to date $2.05 cents per litre.
We continued on to Alice, the roads still straight and flat, but, we were in fact climbing, ever so slowly from 350 mtrs above sea level to 800 mtrs above sea level. Our entry in to Alice Springs was beautiful, passing through gorges in mountains (West McDonald Range) into Alice. Our park is through a cutting in this range.
Thursday saw us off to look around Alice, the information center, ( not much help) and then off to the Desert Park. This place ( Desert Park) displays samples of what is in and around Alice, reptiles, birds, flora and fauna.
Friday saw us off to Glen Helen, along the West McDonald Range, about 120 kls west of Alice. The Glen Helen Resort is small, neat and tidy, on the Finke River. We had a cup of coffee, and then decided to go for a helicopter rider, out of Glen Helen, over Ormiston Gorge then over the range back to Glen Helen, a truly great flight, although I do have 2 broken fingers on my left hand where Loz was squeezing same. This chopper was a plastic bubble with no doors and three seats. Well worth the money spent.
From Glen Helen we then drove back to Alice, calling in at again Ormiston Gorge, the Ochre Pits, this is where the Aborigines obtain their body paints, yellows, blues, reds and white. From the Ochre Pits then onto Ellery Creek water hole, and then Standley Chasm. Truly wore us out
Friday was a rest day, more shopping for food, and then off to the Old Ghan Railway presentation, unfortunately these trains were not running, a dispute with the main rail and the Old Ghan, but worth a walk through.
Alongside the Old Ghan presentation was the Kenworth Truck Museum, very well put together, worth seeing.
Sunday was rest day, we pack up tonight for the trip to the Rock, the Olga’s and Kings Canyon.
