Leaving Darwin we picked up our van that we had left with our sister in laws sisters family while staying in the apartment. Helen, Mark and the kids were happy for us to spend a night before heading off, and we were treated to some great hospitality NT style. The house was set up for the Darwin climate and had a great bar room and boys toys area downstairs. Mark treated us to the best steaks we had eaten all trip. Hence the following morning we hit the local butcher (halal!!) to stock up on supplies for the journey ahead. It’s always nice to meet some real people on the road, even if for just for one night.

Heading down the main highway out of Darwin we camped at Edith Falls before spending a couple of days in Mataranka Springs. We were heading towards the gulf and some big days in the car were required. After hitting Daly Waters we headed east towards Heart Break Hotel. This place had a chequered history, being one of the biggest brothels in the top end only twenty years ago. Sitting at the crossroads we got to share a beer with many characters, including tourists, fisherman truckies, stockman and the indigenous. We were well looked after and they allowed us to leave our caravan there so we could travel to the more remote regions with our swags.

First top was Lorella Springs, a large station on the edge of the gulf. This property was very remote and we virtually had it to ourselves. Because it was the end of the dry there was not much water around and the temperatures were now in the mid-thirties. Nevertheless we had a great time visiting the points of interest and vowed to come back again one day just after the wet. The next place we visited was King Ash Bay on the Macarthur River just north of Boorooloola. Amongst the heat and dust we were very surprised at the facilities available in this little oasis. Not only was there fresh cheap fruit and vegetables available, but the remote camping on the river and the fishing were second to none. Adding to that the fishing club had cold beers, great pizzas and internet (the kids liked this one). Chris went fishing down the islands with a local and bought back enough fish to keep the tribe happy for a while. There were enough waterways here to keep any fisherman happy, but the heat was telling us it was time to start moving on.

 

After a couple of days driving and overnight free camping, we finally crossed the border into QLD. Although we had only spent about a month in NT it was good to be able to revisit places, as well as find some new ones. No matter when you visit the top end, the crocs, the back burning, the people and the culture surrounding the area (even in the 21^st century) always makes you feel like you are on an adventure. With eight and a half months of the trip completed the remainder of the trip would be in QLD and what better way to start than the mining town of Mount Isa. Apart from visiting a mine-shaft and “School of the Air” Aimee and Dylan got to celebrate fathers day with their daddy. Mum reckons everyday is fathers day in the Walsh household (caravan!).

We picked up the van from Kununurra after the Kimberley trek and headed for the WA/NT border. Along the way we stayed our last night in WA at Lake Argyle. The Ord River scheme is massive with this large body of water its centre piece. After travelling through this dry state for the last five or so months it was ironic that we left WA where water is so abundant. The Walsh family certainly had a great time in WA and it was everything we had envisaged –the isolation, the red dirt, the turquoise water, and sunsets you never grow tired of. In a way we finally got to see the ‘real’ Australia.

“Thanks WA”

Welcome to the Northern Territory. The scenery was now starting to change and it was not long before we would start smelling smoke – controlled burns are the way up here. After spending the night in Timber Creek we travelled along the scenic Victoria River before spending the night just north of Katherine. Wendy and Chris spent almost 10 weeks in NT 10 years ago and this time around we would visit places and sites we had not seen before. Importantly, we were going catch up with Nanny and Uncle Pete who were coming to see us in Darwin. We could not resist taking the long way to Darwin and revisiting the famous Kakadu National Park. This is a park often overlooked, or not liked by the grey nomads. Many travellers like easy access and everything close by so they can ‘tick the box’. However, we loved its solitude, its rugged beauty and probably most of all its cultural significance. The connection between the land and indigenous people here is very strong and wonderful to experience.

After Kakadu we headed off to Darwin and spent a couple of days catching up with the Stenhouse and Martin families at Howard Springs. It was washing time, restocking food supplies, catching up on travelling stories and giving the kids a play together, before heading into the ‘big smoke’. Although we had been here before Darwin is a great city, laid back and easy to get around. This time we got to live it in style and the weather was gorgeous. Nanny shouted us all five nights in a beautiful apartment at Cullen Bay Marina – sublime!! The kids got spoilt with their in-ground pool, Dad got to enjoy hanging out and not doing too much, while Mum enjoyed the facilities – not having to shower with her thongs on was great bonus. Best of all it was great to spend time with Nanny and Pete. Thanks for the recharge guys before we head across to the east.