Litchfield Park to Broome

Cable Beach

Gantheaume Point

Ord River Dam

Dinosaur Footprint

Sandy Creek Falls

Cathedral Termite Mound

Five Rivers Lookout

The last two weeks we have visited Litchfield Park, had one night at Katherine before making our way across the Kimberlies to Broome!

Litchfield Park was lovely, we went walking and swimming at Buley Rockhole, Sandy Creek Falls and Wangi Falls. While at Sandy Creek Falls we meet a lovely German couple who lost their car keys somewhere in the water, certainly not much chance of finding them. After looking for an hour or so we ended up giving them a lift, all 7 of us swished in the Hilux, back to our caravan park were they could get some help. We also visited Blyth Homestead ruins near a old tin mine and the rather large cathedral and magnetic termite mounds.

After four nights at Litchfield Park we then headed to Katherine for one night, the next day travelled over the WA boarder into Kununarra. While at Katherine we read though the Quarantine guide and very disappointed to learn that we couldn't take Dominic's geraniums over the boarder. Dominic was very upset as Granma gave them to him for his birthday before we left Armidale in January, and they have survived the trip very well. We were lucky that the caravan park owners were happy to look after them for us. We also had to get rid of all fruit and vegetables also.

Kununarra was very busy and hot, the max temp while we were there was 36 -37 c. The pool at the caravan park was always very full, even so we needed a dip everyday. Benn and I voted at Kununarra taking it in turns, Benn waited 2 hours in the line at 8 am in the morning, and I waited 1.5 hours at 4 pm! Just so many interstate voters! We went out to visit the Ord River Dam and Lake Arkyle, just massive. We had a lovely picnic in the shade, after Benn and the kids rode their bikes over the dam wall. Also visited Wyndham, and had picnic lunch at the Five Rivers lookout - just beautiful!

The 650 kilometre drive from Kununarra to Fitzroy Crossing was hot, and we were glad we had A/C. We only had two stops, at Halls Creek for cold drinks and Diesel, then on side of road next to massive Boab tree for lunch. Kids did very well, thanks to DS games and DVD's! After a lovely stay at Fitzroy Crossing we made it to Broome via a sightseeing visit to Derby. Saw the prison Boab tree near Derby that travellers and Aboriginal prisoners often had a rest at on their way through back in late 1800's early 1900's.

Broome has been fantastic! We went straight to Cable Beach after setting up, we arrived just in time for the sunset! Just beautiful, the sand goes for miles before the water, we had dinner on the beach and kids played in the sand for hours! While in Broome we have more visits to Cable Beach, Town Beach and waterpark, visited the Willie Creek Pearl Farm (learnt how pearls are farmed!), historical museum, visited the Dinosaur footprints on Gantheaume Point and were lucky to be here to see Staircase to the Moon which only happens once a month with the full moon. Tomorrow we travel to Barn Hill 1.5 hours south, a station on the beach for a few days.

Bye xx

Kakadu to Darwin

Hello! Can't believe another 3 weeks have passed since I last wrote! We spent 3 days at Katherine Gorge, loved the cruise, walks and pool! We actually met relations from a family we know well from Armidale, so that was pretty cool.

We had 5 nights at Cooinda, Kakadu and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I had mixed comments from some other travellers before we arrived so was wondering what it would be like. We loved it! It was rather hot, most days into the mid 30s. The yellow water cruises were very interesting, the birds were numerous and spectacular, also saw many crocodiles (the tour guide told us they are very lazy and wait with there mouths open for the fish to swim in!). Also just loved the variety of trees and plants, lily pads etc. Found the rock art amazing, would like to learn more about it. We visited Nourlangie Rock, a good walk with many different areas of rock art. We went swimming with freshwater crocs at Barramundi gorge (5 mins for me!) and Gunlom Falls. Benn actually worked at Cooinda 23 years ago, he enjoyed catching up with some of the traditional owners they were in the bar the afternoon we arrived. David, Sylvia and Rosie remembered him, but all the elders he knew well had passed on. I was told Benn was family to them, so now I was family too, even though I was white I was black! They were very welcoming, but I struggled with the language they tried to teach me. Overall, a very amazing experience, one I will never forget.

We went on a plane ride over most of Kakadu and some of Arnhem Land on our last day, absolutely amazing! The rock formations, rivers and such a variety of ecosystems! The uranium mine was also an interesting imagine from the air. We even had a history lesson on the early explorers of the area!

After Kakadu we headed for Darwin, arrived Tuesday 3rd August and are still here, leaving tomorrow. We have all enjoyed Darwin! Mum and Dad arrived to visit on Thursday staying for 6 nights in a cabin at the caravan park. We had a wonderful time together. Went to the Mindil Sunset Markets on the first night, sunset over the water was a sight! We have been to the wave pool, shopping in the Mall, the WWII oil tunnels, Aviation Museum, NT Museum, Stokes Wharf(for dinner) and the waterpark (recreation area with slides, playarea, pool and skate park). I have really loved shopping even if I have only bought groceries, I has missed woolies and just window shopping over the last few weeks. I took Jacinta on a special girls morning and we just hung out at the shops and even got our hair cut, very satisfying!

The kids took it in turns to sleep at Granma and Granpa's, so very exciting to have sleepover while camping. We have also just enjoyed swimming at the pool at the caravan park and the kids have enjoyed making things out of cardboard boxes that we collected from Bunnings. (mind you a bit upset when I said we could only keep two things each out of about 15 creations (eg: planes, trucks, etc) as they would not fit in the caravan to travel!!) Can't imagine when we live in a house again, we might have a garage full of cardboard creations....

Well off to get dinner organised and finish packing up for departure tomorrow to Litchfield park,

B x

Alice Springs to Katherine Gorge

Reading at Mataranka Library

Benn's Barra
Thermal Pool

Devil's Marbles

John Flynn Memorial


Dominic in van

Go-carts at Alice

Hello! Well we have gone from winter to summer in 3 weeks. I am writing today from Katherine Gorge, very hot day - certainly back into summer for a few days now. Last night was very hot, first night we have had the a/c on most of the night! Rather a change from the cold weather of Alice, were it was sooooo cold at night. Apparently, the weather has been unseasonably cold there, the day we arrived at Uluru was the coldest day on record (11c max at Uluru, 6c max at Alice).

We spent a good week in Alice after Uluru and Kings Canyon, visiting the Desert Park, School of the Air (brilliant), Museum for Pioneer Women (which I found amazing, some of the stories I read about the conditions for women, the isolation etc very interesting) and the old goal. Once again we met many families while in Alice either travelling for a few months or a couple of years. I am really enjoying the social aspect lately, maybe too much drinking and chocolate!! Nah, never! We were pretty lucky and saw the Todd River with water in it. It rained for a few days when we arrived, so for about 3 days the river flowed, apparently a very rare occurrence.

After leaving The Alice, we spent one night back at Wycliff Well, then Renner Springs (which had geese that honked all night, not impressed). Next day we arrive at Mataranka (We of the Never Never country), could have stayed for ages.... so stayed for 5 nights (was only planning for 2). It was wonderful, the natural thermal pools were beautiful, we enjoyed swimming in them everyday. Dinner at the Homestead Bistro was great as was the entertainment. They had a singer/guitarist play each night, great music. It was very busy caravan park, many a backpacker working there. Again great meeting other people travelling! Benn went to go fishing on the Roper River and caught a nice Barramundi, very nice eating! I loved the old Museum, which had some material from 'We of the Never Never' days, the Australian classic novel set in 1902. They had the homestead replica just next to the Caravan Park.

We arrrived at Katherine Gorge yesterday, extremely busy place so many tourists/travellers. I guess it is the time to be at the top end before the wet season starts. Already it is getting very hot and humid, can't imagine what it must be like in summer. We have had school this morning, then art lessons with Benn, painting water colours. Benn and kids in the pool at the moment, so I am off to join them.

Love to hear from friends and family if you get a chance,

Bianca xx

Undara to Uluru

Morning tea on side of Stuarts H/way

Lava Tube

Hi everyone!

Well, the last three weeks have flown..... we finally crossed the boarder into the NT week before last! After Atherton we went west to Undara, went on a tour of the Lava Tubes - they are the longest in the world, 160 kms formed 190,000 years ago, just amazing! We all enjoyed the real bush, campfires and meeting lots of people travelling. We have even got into the bush poetry!

We then decided to go north west, one of our biggest drives at that time, to Kuramba, on the Gulf, north of Normanton. A real fishing holiday place where most people stay 3 months or longer to fish, barramundi, salmon, prawns, etc in abundance here. We went out on a fishing charter (just our family with the skipper), Jacinta and Dominic both caught fish, and saw a crocodile sunning on the bank. It was only 2.5 metres long, apparently an 8 metre was spotted at Weipa a few weeks before, scary scary. We learned another huge croc almost 9 metres was caught back in 1957, where a woman caught it on the Norman River, a replica in Normanton shows the real size, extremely hard to believe one could be that big. The same size replica was at Australia Zoo, just amazing.

Our next stopover was Cloncurry for 2 nights, then Mount Isa. We all went on a bus tour of the working mine there, just over the railway line from the city. Since Cloncurry we have seen many road trains, we all find interesting. After Mount Isa, with commenced the first of a few one nighters..... very tiring for Benn and I packing up and setting up in the same day, day after day but great to cover the distances we did. In four days we travelled to Uluru, found Barkly Homestead, Wycliff Well (UFO centre!) rather interesting places. Uluru was indeed fantastic, much steeper than I remember as a 15 year old, back then I had no problems going up and down the Rock. This time on the day we left, just as we were leaving it opened for 2 hours, Benn and kids climbed it while I watched and chatted to others waiting! It seems now that most days it is closed, we did have rain and very cold weather while we were there - max of 11 on our second day!! We also had two nights at Kings Creek Station which was definitely worth doing, the kids rode a camel and we went for a lovely walk at Kings Canyon.

We returned to Alice Springs on Friday in time for the Camel races on Saturday, a great day. The kids all participated in camel kapers, races for the kids, Luke came second! All came away with ribbons and treats. Glad to be here at Alice to take some time to catch up with washing, cleaning, and school work (what's that?!) this week. We plan to stay here for 10 days before making our way up to Kakadu and Darwin. The kids have made many friends here, we have once again met many families travelling for many weeks or months.

The land of Cassowaries, Green Tree Frogs, Tree Kangaroos and Crocodiles....

Also land of sugar, coffee, tea and milk!! Mmmmmm rather good combination don't you think!?

Magnetic Island was wonderful, probably one of best Island experiences for me so far. We all went horse riding (discovered Dominic has fairly severe allergy..), Jacinta, Luke and Benn went bareback in the ocean!! Jacinta has no fear, very happily trotting along - kept up very well with all the adults, left Luke and I miles down the track.

After leaving Magnetic Island and Townsville territory we headed further up north to South Mission Beach. Ocean water is now too cold to swim in, according to me anyway... but kids still swam in the pool. Really enjoyed the atmosphere of Mission Beach and surrounds, many signs to be careful not to hit Cassowaries on the road. We are enjoying learning more about the native animals as well as the changing landscapes. Saw a beautiful green tree frog on the wall of the amenities block at Mission Beach. And love the rainforest!

Now, in Atherton we must be careful not to hit tree kangaroos along the road. Apparently, now there are also crocodiles in some of the creeks and rivers we have passed over. Atherton is sooo beautiful, just love it, but imagine way hot in summer. We visited Paronella Park, at Mena Creek day before yesterday, created by a Spanish man in the early 1900's, just amazing. The last few days we have visited a coffee planation, tea farm, sugar Mill (at Tully), and finally a diary, cheese and chocolate factory. So interesting, has been a wonderful learning experience for us all. Today, is the first day since down south of NSW that we have had to pull out the jackets and long pants, very cool maybe top of 18 or 19C. Really feel the cold, I think I have already climatised to warmer weather!

Well off to cook dinner, lamb chops on the BBQ, pasta and vegies.....

Airlie and Townsville.....

Hello from Townsville.....

We had a wonderful time at Airlie Beach, stayed at the Big 4 just a few km's out of Airlie. Very exciting, we finally met some other families doing the same thing as us, doing the great aussie trip all the way around. Two families had been on the road since January, like us and another family just travelling for 3 months or so. Very refreshing to chat about their experiences and plans.

The Big 4 was brilliant, one of the best parks we have stayed at so far. Had great pool with slides, jumping pillow, playground, tennis court - even had kids club, which I took advantage of. The kids went for 2.5 hours to do craft, games etc, so we had a break (first one ever, with no children at all), all I did was clean the van.......!!!

I have included a photo of Luke and Jacinta doing school work, we usually do this in the mornings while still fresh, unless we go somewhere for the day. In this photo, Dominic is still asleep!! It can be interesting trying to get everyone to bed at a reasonable hour some nights.

While at Airlie Beach, we travelled out to four of the Whitsunday Islands for a day tour. Left home at 6.15 am to board ferry at 6.45 am. We visited Daydream Is, Whitehaven Beach, Hook Island and Long Island and were back by 5.45 pm, what an amazing day. The beaches at Whitehaven were beautiful, and we could go swimming as the stingers are not common this time of the year. Benn and the kids went snorkelling off Hook Island, and the kids went swimming in the pool while Benn and I enjoyed a drink at Long Island Resort, very nice.

We found the sandflies to be rather bad at Airlie, similar to Yamba, Luke's legs are covered with bites, I am the next prone. Discovered rid seems to be the best product for keeping them away, would prefer the natural products, but yet to try some suggested. Now we are in Townsville they don't seem to be a problem thank goodness.

Also while at Airlie Benn went fishing for a whole day with a fellow traveller friend, Barry. They had a great day and caught two 'sooty grunter' (not sure if I have the spelling correct), we cooked them in the oven and they tasted great!

We arrived at Townsville on Friday, had lovely day yesterday at The Strand. It is a water park along the beach with many playgrounds, rock pool and includes an area on the beach with a stinger net. All of us went swimming in the rock pool, the stingers make me rather nervous even if they are not meant to be out this time of the year. Apparently, November to May is the worse time. Today we went to the Tropical Queensland Museum, it was very interesting. One floor was very similar to Questacon in Canberra, with many interactive science activites. We also learnt about some expeditions to the south magnetic pole (I guess link to Magnetic Island?), the Pandora, English shipwreck off the Townsville coast, and many other interesting things.

Planning at this stage to stay in Townsville for a few more days, off to the Aquarium tomorrow. Then a visit to Magnetic Island, special meaning for Benn as his deceased Godfather Uncle Peter lived and worked there for many years.

Hello from Mackay

Today is Sunday, we have been in Mackay now for a couple of days. We are all loving the warmer weather - compared to out west (just slightly cooler). Luke is not feeling well today, woke up very pale and hot, so I am just hanging out with him this morning while Benn takes Jacinta and Dominic for a bike ride.

Since writing last we have spent three nights in Rockhampton, which we all loved. Country towns sure have a different feel to them. Amazingly, on our day of departure from Rocky we meet a couple across from us from a property near Wyoming, the Fletchers, that know Benn and his family very well. Just amazing!

After Rocky we decided to go out west to see a Coal mine and go fishing at Lake Maraboon just south of Emerald. Really interesting country side, I remember going to Emerald when I worked for QR about 12 years ago, still love it. So much development, they now have two Centros. We visited the International Coal Centre at Blackwater and also had a tour of a working mine. All went out in a little bus and then stood on a platform to view the dragline in action. The size of the equipment was HUGE, the big trucks can carry up to 300 tonnes of coal, eight wheels on the trucks, each wheel costs $85,000. Very interesting ....... I have a much greater appreciation of what happens in mines now and the value to our economy and electricty etc.

Bit of a drive coming back to the coast (took us about 6 hours including breaks), off to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays tomorrow.