BACK IN DARWIN, NT, QUEENSLAND BORDER, MOUNT ISA

Saturday 30th July 2016

After landing at Darwin airport and collecting we were greeted by Pete and Adriana at 4:30 a.m. it was still dark and we had a 40 mins journey back to the caravan. Pete drove straight to our caravan where we had stored it, we all tried to be very quiet as possible but, we had to get our bedroom slideout out for us to sleep properly.
We did sleep until 11 a.m. and Richard went to have a look around for an empty spot, possibly near Pete and Adriana, unfortunately no luck, but, we weren't too far. Our friends from Melbourne Brian and Cheryl called in for a chat and to help in any way they could.

The caravan was soon hitched up to the Ranger (which started first time) and we moved to our near spot. It didn't take long to set up and make ourselves at home, we intend to get ourselves sorted and over the jet lag for at least another week or 10 days. We need to get moving as soon as possible because we want to be in Sydney for 7the September our youngest grandson's 2nd birthday.

We spent a lot of time just relaxing and swimming at Berry Springs. We could not believe that we had not visited this place on our previous visit to Darwin. It was so peaceful and warm in the water!



We said our goodbyes to Tumbling Waters and Darwin, we set off on our long journey back to Sydney. We had promised ourselves that we would take a helicopter ride over the Katherine Gorge area, another perspective of a place that we had already visited previously. This trip was reasonably inexpensive and a great first experience of a helicopter for both of us. Stunning scenery!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After two nights in Katherine and stocking up at the local Woolworths supermarket we left heading south. A decision was made to deviate from our route down the Stuart Highway and follow the Carpentaria Highway heading eastward. We experienced vast areas of nothingness!

Free camping at Little River

We then headed South along the Tablelands Highway, a single track bitumen road that was pretty rough in places! We had intended to stay at the Barkley Homestead but after having to pay their extortionate price for diesel fuel ($1.80/litre) we decided to free camp a little further down the road. We enjoyed a lovely night at Wonarah bore free camp where we
watched tv and rested up.

Our next stop along the highway was Cammoweal where we stayed at the Billabong free camp. Our bikes were put into use when we biked down to the pub on Sunday for lunch and a few drinks!

Cammoweal Billabong

This amazing free camp was very nice, a couple made themselves known to us as they well Judy, had been communicating with Richard on the Silverline Facebook page. We soon made some wonderful friends and we carried on travelling with them (including a young cyclist from England) our next stop is Mount Isa.

Cammoweal

 

In Mount Isa we had a good look around and visited the underground hospital, very interesting. We had a night out with meal at the local Buffs Club, there was 10 of us and a good night was had by all. We even shared a meal in the very large camp kitchen on the Caravan Site and Steve made all of us a very tasty apple jaffle.

 

Camp kitchen get together

 

After 3 nights together here at the Big4 caravan park, 3 couples (including us) moved on to the next stop. We had decided to have a look at Corrella Dam only a 40km drive down the highway. What an amazing place. Judy, Steve and Iain and Lynne decided to head straight for the waters edge but we found a nice flat area next to some other free campers, but, still overlooking the water. However, the next day the two caravans were towed back towards Richard and Helen!!

Judy and Helen had a bike ride to the gate entrance where we waited for Joe the young English cyclist. After only 10 minutes Helen spotted Joe riding towards Judy and herself. Lots of happy times were had here. Our time here was so good and relaxing with very special friends on the road.















Judy and Steve's friends Bill and Yvonne arrived and parked their van next to ours. We had a great night around the campfire but, unfortunately the following morning, Richard and Helen said their farewells to our new found friends. We were all heading off in different directions. Our journey taking us on the road to Sydney, we intend to be there on the 7th September, which is our grandson, Toby's second birthday.

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