Jun 15, 2013 - Alice Springs

Up at a fairly reasonable hour and to breakfast at the hotel. Nice spread with lots of fruit and a wide selection of other stuff. Then back to the room and final packing, then drag our stuff over to the lobby at about 8:45. Bus at 9:05 picked us up, and about 25 other people, and drove us to the Ayers Rock airport. The flight only took about an hour and we landed at Alice Springs. We seemed to be the only people staying in town. As we approached the luggage claim there was a nice lady with our name on a sign. Most prompt welcome we’ve had...

Jun 14, 2013 - Sunrise, Sunset

Woke up a bit before the alarm with my toe bothering me. Took a look and it had gotten infected. I spent some time cleaning it up and putting on antiseptic then got dressed and headed for the tour. Alice was way too tired to get up so she stayed in bed. There were about 24 on the bus and we headed out into the darkness. We entered the park and there were about four busses there, plus a bunch of cars and campers. We got some tea and then wandered up the lighter path to the viewing area. It was very cold – about 40 – and quite windy. As the...

Jun 13, 2013 - Camels and champaign

Started the day by getting up at 5;30 and dragging our bags to the lobby. Luckily the transport was waiting. After we paid the bill for our two phone calls ($22.00… plus 1.5% for using a credit card) we were on our way to the airport. Got to the airport at 6:30 and check in was fine. They do the whole process – including luggage tags – at check in, so no issues. We sat in row one – an issue as we had to stow our bags overhead but otherwise nothing special. It was quite interesting flying across the continent – moving from tropical forest to...

Jun 9, 2013 - Day 6

Day 6 - Friday 7th June Setting off from Mataranka, we had to continue north-west up to Katherine to get onto the Victoria Highway which would then take us through to Kununurra, gateway to the Kimberly. Russell and Toni-Lee also decided that they would try and find some camp stretchers in Katherine to try and alleviate some back pain issues. Before leaving Mataranka proper, we headed to the United Fuel Station to fill the tanks and then stop in at Bitter Springs for a final dip before hitting the Stuart up to Katherine. Katherine was a...

Jun 8, 2013 - Day 5

Day 5 - Thursday 6th June After 2 nights at King Ash Bay, it was time to pack up camp and move on. Destination today would be either Daly Waters if it looked OK, or Mataranka if not. On the road by about 9.00am after topping up with fuel and airing up the tyres to highway pressures (no dirt roads today). The lady in the mini-mart (also the fuel station) was resplendently sporting her Blues jumper again. I was wearing my Maroons one from the night before. She had no problem paying out on us after the dishing Russell gave her yesterday. All...

Jun 6, 2013 - Bon Voyage Bash

As the countdown begins .... over 80 travellers, families and friends, sponsors and supporters gathered at The Walkabout on Saturday night for the official farewell! Two travellers - Ian Rogers and Jesse Chamberlain - were not able to attend, and Naomi Brennan is somewhat obscured!!!! However, i think the excitement and anticipation are clear! Stay tuned for the photo launch of our Tour T shirts next week!

Jun 4, 2013 - Day 4

Day 4 - Wednesday 5th June State of Origin Game Day 1. One of the holiest days on the NRL calendar and were camped at a place with a pub and a TV. Yes! Day 4 was somewhat of a lazy day after clocking up more than 1,600 kays since leaving home, with probably half of them off the bitumen. After Brekky, the Lords headed down to the creek to wet a line, Birches and Collards went to check out the local mini-mart and then it was off to do some washing while we had the opportunity to do so. The lady at the mini-mart was sporting a NSW Blues...

Jun 4, 2013 - On the road to Alice

Another busy few days after meeting up with Mel who drove across from Kununurra following her week as a medical volunteer on the Gibb River Challenge (lots of rain in the first three days so everyone on bikes got rather muddy but fortunately no big medical emergencies for Mel). The ladies enjoyed a dip in the Katherine hot springs before breakfast prior to packing up camp and heading to Mataranka and Elsey National Park where another thermal spring awaited us, twice in one day was very pleasant and even Col took the plunge this time!! This...

Jun 4, 2013 - Day 3

Day 3 - Tuesday 4th June A pretty big day today with almost all of the trip on dirt roads. We were heading to King Ash Bay fishing village just east of Borroloola, roughly 450km from Kingfisher Camp, so it was an early pack-up. While Kingfisher is only about 30 kays due east of the NT border, we had to head roughly east to get back on to the Savannah Way and then head north-west up to Hells Gate, where we stopped to fuel up. Only a couple of kays out of Hells Gate, Russell called up on the UHF. In the rear view, it seems that the camper...

May 28, 2013 - Back at Katherine

In Katherine tonight after last night at Edith Falls, where we did enjoy the beautiful natural pool at the base of the waterfall. We have connected with Mel after her drive across from Kununurra and she will travel with us over the next five days as we head down to Alice Springs. She has her own little tent so isn't squeezing into the A-van with us!

May 28, 2013 - Kakadu

There is so much cultural and landscape diversity in Kakadu National Park it is impossible to absorb it all in a short period. The Kakadu rangers provide an excellent service with free talks daily at the sites of major importance, so these gave us an insight into the history, both socially and environmentally, which added greatly to our appreciation of what we were seeing. We initially spent two nights at Merl campground in the northern part of the park so were close to Ubirr with its treasure trove of artworks and sweeping views across the...

May 20, 2013 - Litchfield NP, Darwin

As we headed north we visited the Adelaide River War Cemetery, with many graves of those killed in the 1942-43 air raids on the northern regions. It is very well set out and maintained, providing a very solemn yet tranquil place. On to Litchfield National Park where we camped for 2 nights at Wangi Falls, a beautiful spot but the mossies were really fierce hunting for quality southern blood and the humidity very energy sapping. Set off early next morning to explore some of the rest of the park – Tolmer Falls which has a lovely walk around...