ALICE SPRINGS IN THE HEART OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY Contrary to popular opinion, the Northern Territory can have cold, overcast and rain showers on multiple days. I experienced this around Alice Springs. Locally known as The Alice , the town is situated in the heart of Australia. Almost halfway between Adelaide and Darwin. The usually dry sandy Todd River flows through part of the city and hosts the Henley on Todd Regatta every August. Alice Springs is a good base to explore central Australia. Reverend John Flynn the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service born in Victoria worked in central Australia. He campaigned for an aerial medical service for outback Australia. The RFDS museum in Alice Springs is very interesting. Many displays. During 2024 there was ongoing indigenous youth unrest in the Alice Springs area. A youth curfew was introduced to limit property damage. Often cited by media as the most dangerous town in Australia. Generally, the Alice Springs area is safe in the daylight hours for visitors. Lasseter's Reef Fabled Lasseter’s Reef is a legendary tale that has captured the imagination of many for decades. Lewis Lasseter's name became synonymous with mystery and adventure when he made the bold claim of discovering an incredibly lucrative gold reef in central Australia back in 1929. The allure of untold riches hidden within the vast and unforgiving Australian outback was enough to spark a gold rush frenzy among prospectors and dreamers alike. Tragically, Lasseter's triumph quickly turned into a heart-wrenching saga as he lost his way back to the elusive reef, ultimately meeting his demise in the harsh desert landscape in 1931. His final resting place in Alice Springs serves as a poignant reminder of the high stakes and unforgiving nature of the Australian wilderness. Despite his untimely end, Lewis Lasseter's legacy lives on through the numerous books, films, and documentaries that have sought to unravel the mystery surrounding his fateful expedition. The Lasseter Highway off the Stuart Highway to Uluru and 245 km in length is named after the prospector. The story of Lasseter's Reef continues to intrigue and captivate adventurers and historians, drawing them into a world where the promise of unimaginable wealth is tempered by the harsh realities of nature and human ambition. ALICE SPRINGS GOOGLE MAPS West of Alice Springs Glen Helen . Glen Helen Lodge is 130 km west of Alice Springs alongside the Finke River on a sealed road. The Lodge is now no longer accessible to the public (2025). There are no tourist facilities and there is no fuel available. Views are to the nearby West MacDonnell Ranges and of the Glen Helen Gorge cliffs. Nearby Redbank Gorge offers spectacular rock colors within the gorge and this is accessed by a somewhat rough track. Access is via a rocky dry creek bed walk to an entrance blocked by a pool of cold water. In drought years when the pool may be dry Redbank Gorge is one of the best experiences in the Northern Territory. Driving this far west of Alice Springs there are roadside views of Mount Sonder at 1,300 metres in height. The mountain is the highest point in the ranges. Mount Sonder is known locally as the ‘ sleeping lady ’. Glen Helen on the Finke River is just short of two hours' drive west of Alice Springs along an all-sealed road. GLEN HELEN GOOGLE MAPS GLEN HELEN AT THE END OF THE SEALED ROAD The return drive to Alice Springs was in the late afternoon. On this particular day the weather was cold, sky overcast and regular rain showers. Best to drive one day to the west of Alice Springs and the next day to the east. Or vice versa. East of Alice Springs Ross River is about 85 km east of Alice Springs via a sealed road. Located there is the Ross River Homestead. The Homestead has a Bar, café and dining area and is only available for large groups who must pre-book. Fuel is unavailable to tourists and tourists are not allowed to enter the homestead and the surrounding area. However, the drive along the Ross River Road leading to the Homestead is a scenic two-hour return drive east of Alice Springs along an all-sealed road. On the return drive to Alice Springs an oncoming roadtrain gave me a stone chip on my car windscreen. Traveldriven ROSS RIVER RESORT GOOGLE MAPS   ALICE SPRINGS FIVE DAY FORECAST WEST OF ALICE SPRINGS SEALED ROAD EAST OF ALICE SPRINGS SEALED ROAD ROSS RIVER HIGHWAY TERRY GILL WAS RIDING HIS HARLEY & HIT A CAMEL. EACH YEAR A MEMORIAL RIDE IS HELD RAISING FUNDS FOR CHARITY ROADSIDE MEMORIAL LASSETERS MEMORIAL, ALICE SPRINGS CEMETERY ROSS RIVER HOMESTEAD EAST OF ALICE SPRINGS OUTBACK ROCK STACKS OUTBACK ROCK OUTCROP THE THREE PILLARS SIGNAGE THREE CATERPILLARS OF EMILY GAP EAST OF ALICE SPRINGS ROSS HIGHWAY DESERT ROCK FLIES AND MORE FLIES ALICE SPRINGS RAZOR & BARBED WIRE AROUND CARAVAN PARK ALICE SPRINGS PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 36 Tennant Creek The place did not appeal pleasant for an overnight stop. No noteworthy sights. So pushed a little further on to the Devil's Marbles Hotel late in the day. The decision to bypass the uninviting location for an overnight stay was a wise choice, as the lack of notable attractions and the somewhat dilapidated appearance of the small town did not offer much promise for a restful stop. The presence of windowed bars on most retail buildings added to the sense of neglect and perhaps even unease about the area. Instead, opting to continue the journey to the Devil's Marbles Hotel about one hour's drive further proved to be a more appealing prospect. This shift in plans likely provided the opportunity for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience, with the anticipation of reaching a destination that offered better accommodations and a more welcoming atmosphere. Devil's Marbles Northern Territory Karlu Karlu\Devil's Marbles Conservation Reserve. Devil's Marbles is an aboriginal sacred site. About one hundred km south of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory and four hundred km north of Alice Springs. In 1953 an eight-tonne marble was taken and placed on John Flynn’s grave in Alice Springs. It was returned to the Devils Marbles in 1998. The marble was replaced with a more suitable rock with aboriginal permission. Bush camping is available. Devil's Marbles Hotel Accommodation is available in the Devil's Marbles Hotel and is a convenient overnight stop. Accommodation at the Devil's Marbles Hotel offers a convenient and comfortable option for travellers seeking a restful overnight stop amidst the stunning surroundings of the Devils Marbles. Located just eight kilometres north of this iconic natural attraction, the hotel provides a perfect base for visitors to explore the area. In addition to rooms, guests can enjoy the refreshing experience of a small swimming pool, perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. The hotel's proximity to the Devils Marbles ensures that guests can easily access the site and immerse themselves in its unique beauty. Whether you're passing through or looking to spend more time in this remarkable region, the Devil's Marbles Hotel promises a welcoming retreat with modern amenities and a tranquil setting. The hotel is in the middle of nowhere again. No other services such as fuel are available. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP TENNANT CREEK GOOGLE MAPS DEVIL'S MARBLES GOOGLE MAPS DRIVE DALY WATERS - NEWCASTLE WATERS - DEVIL'S MARBLES DEVIL'S MARBLES HOTEL ONSITE SWIMMING POOL INDIGENOUS STOCKMEN ON HORSEBACK DEVIL'S MARBLES & ILLEGAL OVERNIGHT CAMPING ON ROCKS THE RESERVE IS HOME TO FOUR SPECIES OF SNAKES OLD & NEW FINELY BALANCED THE DEVIL DID IT? A DEVIL OF A FLY A COLLECTION OF MARBLES HOT DESERT CLIMATE TOURISTS WALKING THE DEVIL'S MARBLES DEVIL'S MARBLES PLAYGROUND? UNSEALED HIGHWAY TURNOFF TURNAROUND AND GO BACK ABANDONED BESIDE THE ROAD ANOTHER WRECKED CARAVAN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN PLATE ON FOOT TO ALICE SPRINGS NEWCASTLE WATERS DROVER STATUE NEWCASTLE WATERS WETLAND THERE ARE NO SERVICES AT NEWCASTLE WATERS PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

MATARANKA SPRINGS NORTHERN TERRITORY The thermal water is said to relieve one's ailments. Located adjacent to the Roper River, the pool can sometimes get crowded, especially during June to August. The pool is filled with fresh spring water from the Daly and Georgina basins, and it maintains a consistent temperature of 34 degrees. The walkway and springs are shaded by palms. However, the ground floor is dry and brown and devoid of greenery from the top down and unsightly. Mataranka Springs are pools of water with one large pool for swimming and the pools are set amongst large palm trees reached via a boardwalk. Mataranka Springs are about one hundred and seventy km north of Daly Waters. BITTER SPRINGS Bitter springs are nearby to Mataranka Springs. Being only a short drive between the two. However, there is a big difference one to the other. In Bitter Springs, people float down a small waterway surrounded by bushland and shady trees to an area some two hundred metres downstream with an exit platform. On rare occasions the springs are closed by rangers because of a saltwater crocodile sighting in the area. Daly Waters Is a locality in the Northern Territory. About six hundred kilometres south of the capital of Darwin at the intersection of the Stuart Highway and Carpentaria Highway of which only 48 km is sealed. Daly Waters was established in 1927. With a population of only nine people. Daly Waters Airfield was a centre for the London to Sydney Air Race of 1926. A refuelling stop for early Qantas flights to Singapore and a World War II Airforce base. The historic Daly Waters Hotel was licensed in 1938. There is often free nightly live entertainment. Gets quite busy during peak holidays and its accommodation including caravan sites may be fully booked out. As an alternative, The Hi-way Inn Roadhouse may have accommodation available and is ten minutes' drive from the Daly Waters Hotel on the main north\south Stuart Highway. There are no other options. Numerous outback hotels try to impress and differentiate  from other localities  by unusual self-promotion. Apparently the wackier the better. Examples are photographed below. Larrimah Located over 500 km south of Darwin this very small settlement off of the Stuart Highway is centred around the now infamous Larrimah Hotel. The hotel was often frequented by 'Paddy', the missing local man presumed murdered in the Outback by persons who are perhaps known in the community. The story is told in a major Netflix drama. Based on a true disappearance. As of 2025 the mystery disappearance of Paddy is unsolved. The Larrimah Hotel lays claim to have the highest bar in the Northern Territory. Travellers may camp overnight in the local caravan park or stay in the hotel units. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP DALY WATERS GOOGLE MAPS MATARANKA HOT SPRINGS GOOGLE MAPS DRIVE KATHERINE - MATARANKA - DALY WATERS THE LONG LONELY ROAD LARRIMAH HOTEL IS ONE HOUR'S DRIVE NORTH OF DALY WATERS LARRIMAH HOTEL CLAIMED AS THE HIGHEST BAR! LAIDBACK AUSTRALIAN BARMAN NOT A, 'BACKPACKER BARMAN' ANYTHING TO ATTRACT TOURISTS TOURIST DRAW CARD? DALY WATERS ENTERTAINENT DALY WATERS PUB EXTERIOR DALY WATERS PUB TRUE BLUE...... DALY WATERS A TOURIST SERVO DISPLAY AND IS ACTUALLY USEFUL DALY WATERS INSIDE DALY WATERS HOTEL OUTBACK PUB BUSY TIMES THE BUCKING SHED DALY WATERS PUB TOURIST SALES ANYTHING FOR THE TOURIST DOLLAR DALY WATERS HOTEL FOR SALE MATARANKA REGION WE OF THE NEVER NEVER, MATARANKA MATARANKA SPRINGS NT MATARANKA SPRINGS MATARANKA SPRINGS THE ROPER RIVER SIGNAGE WALKWAY TO MATARANKA SPRINGS BITTER SPRINGS NEAR MATARANKA SPRINGS FLOATING DOWN BITTER SPRINGS WITH POOL NOODLES OVERNIGHT AT MATARANKA SPRINGS FREE NIGHTLY ENTERTAINMENT JULIAN JAMES & PARTNER PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 24 Robert Alistair McAlpine Baron McAlpine of West Green, England (14 May 1942 – 17 January 2014) Self-described as Scottish, Robert was a British businessman and politician. Business construction opportunities brought him to Perth in 1960. The family fortune was founded on the construction industry. In the 1980s McAlpine was involved in many tourism projects in Broome Western Australia. Personally, funding many of these. He envisaged the small coastal town of Broome in 1979 had tourism potential. Investment of Millions in Broome Western Australia McAlpine invested $500 million on various projects including the fabled and now closed Pearl Coast Zoological Gardens. Housing a very extensive African animal collection and hundreds of exotic birds and large scale aviaries. McAlpine established the Cable Beach Resort complex and its world class facilities. Helped aboriginal local culture with paid artwork and recognition. Invested spending time and money in the area for historic local building renovations and projects. He was made an honorary freeman of the Broome Municipality at an award evening in 2011. The highest honour bestowed to an individual by the community and officials. I am sure the term 'Lord of Broome' as used by many a Broome local, would have been seen as a tongue in cheek commentary of himself. Mr McAlpine would have found amusement and a chuckle out of it. Traveldriven BROOME BEACH RESORT CABLE BEACH GOOGLE MAPS The English Lord of Broome MONEY IN THE PEARL BUSINESS MORNING COFFEE CAFE BROOME REMOTE LEARNING BROOME Cable Beach FORESHORE CABLE BEACH RESORT AREA Broome accommodation with family OUT OF ORDER SWIMMING POOL IN NEED OF MAINTENANCE PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 23 In northern Australia, Western Australia and across to Queensland the saltwater crocodile population is growing in large numbers. More so in the multiple river systems near Darwin such as the Adelaide, Mary, and Daly Rivers. Along with many billabongs and estuaries. The saltwater crocodile population in Australia is estimated at 100,000 to 200,000. Crocodile habitat extends from Broome, Western Australia through all of the Northern Territory coast and all the way south to Rockhampton, Queensland. Crocodiles are a fully protected species. Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park, Broome The Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park, located just a short fifteen-minute drive from Broome, offers visitors a captivating and educational experience. Upon entry, adult guests are greeted with an admission fee of $50 (as of 2025), granting them access to a world of fascinating wildlife encounters. One of the main attractions at the park is the regular crocodile feeding shows that take place throughout the day. These shows not only showcase the impressive feeding habits of crocodiles but also provide valuable insights into their behaviour and predatory instincts. Visitors can witness demonstrations of prey entrapment, shedding light on the intricate relationship between these apex predators and their environment. In addition to its crocodile-focused activities, the park is also home to a diverse array of native wildlife, providing a comprehensive look at the natural wonders of the region. Among the inhabitants of the park are American alligators, adding an international flair to the wildlife collection. The presence of knowledgeable and informative guides further enhances the visitor experience, as they offer valuable commentary and share their expertise on the various species within the park. MALCOLM DOUGLAS Before Crocodile Dundee (the film) and Steve Irwin was the legendary top end adventurer Malcom Douglas. A poignant aspect of the park's history is the legacy of its founder, Malcolm Douglas. A former crocodile hunter, Douglas became a leading pioneer in wildlife conservation and education, Douglas dedicated his life to raising awareness about the importance of protecting crocodiles and their habitats. Tragically, his life was cut short in 2010 due to a single vehicle accident on his property. Despite this loss, the park continues to honour his memory by providing a platform for learning and appreciation of these magnificent creatures. Overall, the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park stands as a testament to the beauty and complexity of Australia's wildlife. Through its engaging shows, diverse animal residents, and informative staff, the park offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with nature and gain a deeper understanding of the fascinating world of crocodiles and other wildlife species. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP BROOME GOOGLE MAPS MALCOLM DOUGLAS CROCODILE PARK GOOGLE MAPS IN REALTIME MALCOLM DOUGLAS CROCODILE PARK MALCOLM DOUGLAS THE CROCODILE HUNTER GIANT CROCODILES FEEDING WORLD'S BIGGEST LIVE CROCODILES ZOOEY THE CROCODILE BLUEY THE CROCODILE CHOMP THE CROCODILE MANIAC THE CROCODILE SOUTHERN CASSOWARY OLD MAN CROCODILE MUDDY THE CROCODILE THE BULLET CROCODILE CROC CAMOUFLAGE HUNGRY CROCS SUNBAKING FROM THE MOUTH OF CROCODILE JAWS PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

Day fourteen to twenty sailing on the MV Oceanic. Return to Broome Day 21 Dinosaur Footprints Gantheaume Point is a promontory about six kilometres (3.7 mi) from Broome, Western Australia. Dinosaur footprints and plant fossils, are preserved in the sandstone. Low red cliffs are set back off the shoreline. During low tide, dinosaur footprints can be seen uncovered by water about thirty metres (98 ft) out from the shore. There is no beach access. These prints are fairly well preserved and are imbedded in rock. It is allowed for anyone who would like to, to go and stand inside the prints to appreciate the size of the foot that made them. It is thought dozens of different dinosaur prints are in the area and may be found along many km of coastline. Many are from large three toed meat eating dinosaurs. Some prints are over a metre in diameter and quite a number of the foot prints are sunken a few inches in the surrounding rock. Many are well defined in the rock. Very impressive. Broome Hovercraft The hovercraft tour is highly recommended to cross over expansive mud flats to view dinosaur footprints. Hovercraft buzz does intrude into the cabin, but the seating is comfortable enough. The hovercraft is a smooth ride over water and mud and has an informative crew. Mud is not a problem at the site although all are likely to get damp feet disembarking and walking on the wet sand. Hovercraft operations are apparently discontinued during 2025 and may or may not resume. There are other tour operators offering tours to the dinosaur footprints. Flying Boat Crash Site A crash site of World War 2 flying boats is usually pointed out by tour providers during a low tide within the bay. Only during a low tide, the crash site of the World War 2 flying boats becomes visible, serving as a haunting reminder of the past. These once majestic aircrafts, now resting as skeletons on the ocean floor, tell a story of bravery, sacrifice, and the harsh realities of war. The wreckage serves as a solemn tribute to the soldiers who flew these planes, facing danger and uncertainty with every mission they undertook. The crash site of World War 2 flying boats serves as a poignant memorial, inviting reflection on the past and honoring the memory of those who fought and perished in the skies above. Traveldriven BROOME DINOSAUR ADVENTURES GOOGLE MAPS BROOME HOVERCRAFT BROOME HOVERCRAFT WASHED DOWN BROOME HOVERCRAFT TOUR ON THE BEACH DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS STANDING IN THE FOOTPRINTS OF DINOSAURS DINOSAUR PRINTS standing in the footprints of dinosaurs BROOME MUDFLATS BIG BIRD HOVERCRAFT END OF TOUR TOWED TO THE HANGER PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 11 The sand being so hot it appeared to be on fire. -Ludwig Leichhardt (explorer) 1845 diary entry Sandfire Roadhouse Western Australia The place is in effect just a roadhouse on the Great Northern Highway in Western Australia between Port Hedland and Broome. On the western edge of the Great Sandy Desert. Sandfire is one of three fuel stations (the others being Pardoo closed 2023, and Roebuck 15 minutes drive outside of Broome) in the six hundred and ten km between the two towns. There is no general access to the indigenous community of Le Grange. Permit only. Sandfire is the only practical fuel stop between Port Hedland and Broome. The area is hot and dusty. There are a few caravan sites, a fast food restaurant and small bar. The Sandfire Roadhouse is 290 km north of Port Hedland and 315 km south of Broome. The roadhouse opened in 1970. According to reports, the first fuel payment was made with a carton of beer. In 1981 the road was sealed. A few resident peacocks wander near the roadhouse. The name Sandfire apparently comes from a diary entry of the explorer Ludwig Leichardt (1813-1848). 'The sand being so hot it appeared to be on fire'. The roadhouse was damaged by fire in 2007 and 2009 and was rebuilt. Sandfire Roadhouse is the home of the hitchhiking Chook, Salt'n'Pepper as seen on television. Pardoo Roadhouse Closed in 2023 (reopened 2024) sustained $4 million damage from Cyclone Lisa. No fuel or food available. Roebuck Plains Roadhouse is 35 km from Broome. Hence, Sandfire is the only fuel stop in a practical sense for the large distance between the two towns of Port Hedland and Broome if Pardoo is closed. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP SANDFIRE GOOGLE MAPS DRIVE PORT HEDLAND - PARDOO - SANDFIRE ROADHOUSE SANDFIRE UNITS OVERNIGHT STOP BASIC BUT CLEAN ON THE ROAD RED DIRT, ROADTRAINS & CARAVANS SANDFIRE ROADHOUSE PEACOOKS OUTBACK SOLO RIDER SANDFIRE ROADHOUSE ABANDONED ROADSIDE WILDLIFE DAMAGE? PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

Great Northern Highway The highway is the longest in Australia with a total length of 3,200 km. This inland highway connects Perth to Wyndham in the far North of Western Australia. Travelling from Perth the highway route passes through Newman and onto Port Hedland on the coast. Newman is the turn off to the town of Marble Bar. The turnoff onto the road called Marble Bar Road continues to the small stop of Nullagine and onto Marble Bar. A road distance of about 300 km. Marble Bar Entry to Marble Bar may be either via the Great Northern Highway or via Port Hedland off of the coastal highway and then following the inland route. Marble Bar is a town in the Pilbara of north-western Western Australia. There are extremes of hot weather, with a mean maximum temperature second only to Wyndham, Western Australia. Claimed to be the hottest town in Australia. The town has less than two hundred residents and is located in the Pilbara region of north-western Western Australia. A famous Jasper rock outcrop can be seen along the Coongan River near town. Marble Bar Comet Gold Mine has an interesting museum and is seven km out of town. The most famous building in the town is the Ironclad Hotel built in the 1890s, constructed of corrugated iron. There is one Caravan Park within Marble Bar. Entry is across a small dry creek. Shaded sites are available. I was told by a fellow camper to spray ant killer around the parked car as Singapore ants may damage the electrical wiring in the engine bay. In days gone by several large gold nuggets were discovered in the area. Among them the 413-ounce Bobby Dazzler found in the 1890s. While I was in Marble Bar I used a White’s gold detector a few km out of town in a dry creek bed. Hot dusty work in the heat of the day. No valuable finds. On another much earlier road trip I drove solo Marble Bar to New Norcia down towards Perth on the then unsealed Great Northern Highway as mentioned above. A driving distance of thirteen hundred km of gravel via Newman an iron ore mining town in the Pilbara of several thousand residents. The drive continued down the Great Northern Highway through to Meekatharra and onto New Norcia. This road trip was in a two-wheel drive car. Now-a-days the Great Northern Highway is all sealed. Meekatharra Translates as 'place of little water'. Established as a small gold mining town and currently has about one thousand residents. There is accommodation available in the Meekatharra Hotel. Petrol and Diesel fuel is available. New Norcia A monastic town of numerous abbey's a little over an hour's drive from Perth. Abbey tours do not include the monastery as monks live in the building. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP MARBLE BAR MEEKATHARRA NEW NORCIA GOOGLE MAPS CURRENT MARBLE BAR FIVE DAY FORECAST TRAVEL DOWN UNDER & DRIVE PORT HEDLAND - MARBLE BAR MARBLE BAR & OUTBACK DEATHS DRIVING INTO MARBLE BAR MARBLE BAR MARBLE BAR WELCOME SIGNS CATTLE HORSEMEN OF THE OUTBACK BIGGER THAN THE STATE OF VICTORIA OLDTIMER WALKING INTO MARBLE BAR MARBLE BAR ROADTRAIN FOUR TRAILERS PRIME MOVER WITH FOUR TRAILERS OUTBACK HOMESTEAD OR BE IN THE SHIT PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY 4 'Sheepishly with car bonnet up I told the auto electrician the problem solved itself' -in the WA goldfields, Traveldriven CURRENT KALGOORLIE REGION FIVE DAY FORECAST DRIVE NORSEMAN - KALGOORLIE - PERTH Norseman The small town is in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia along the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, seven hundred and twenty-five kilometres (451 mi) east of Perth. Norseman is a small town of almost six hundred people. The town is surprisingly spread out. Norseman is a town in the middle of nowhere really. A sensible overnight stop for rest and petrol. Mostly small gold mining operations operate in the area. The Norseman Gold Mine is Australia’s longest continuously running gold mine. Drive past these mine sites and a gold mine tailing dump to Beacon Hill Lookout The town centre has life size ‘Corrugated Iron Camels’. A tribute to camel trains of the early days. Norseman is the start or end of the Eyre Highway. Depending on driving direction. Driving back east, the last town of any note before Ceduna, South Australia. 1,200 km eastward. Kalgoorlie-Boulder Known just as Kalgoorlie, this Outback centre is a large regional city in the Goldfields-Esperance region of Western Australia. Almost six hundred km (370 mi) east of Perth and connected to Perth by the Great Eastern Highway. Kalgoorlie is a wealthy gold mining city. The Fimiston Open Pit (super pit) is an open cut gold mine 3.6 km long, 1.6 km wide and over 600 metres deep. Trucks take round trips of about 35 minutes. The Superpit is located on the edge of town. See Kalgoorlie’s famous or infamous Hay Street brothel museum. Visit Western Australia’s only legalised Two Up school. Many hotels and motels. Worth a day or two’s rest from the Great Eastern Highway. Car Trouble? Outback Western Australia During daytime and a two hour drive heading to Kalgoorlie I unknowingly knocked the interior lights button on the car's central display. A small unlabelled recessed button I have never used. Four interior overhead lights shone brightly and I wasn't sure how to turn them off. Lights are normally a press on/off type. Lights remained on even after a brief stop. Driving in remote desert country I thought not a good idea for extra drain on the car battery. As is often the case, there is no cell phone reception in this remote area of Australia. If a vehicle cannot be restarted. Even if cell reception was available. There is no roadside assist to call. Seldom seen are vehicles other than road trains. Realising I cannot push start an automatic transmission sedan due to a flat battery. What to do? Here in the stopped car. All lights shining. Under the hot sun in a cloudless sky, raising a sweat just by sitting there with the engine off. The occasional road train passing by I thought it best to restart the car and drive to the next town for a car check. The battery wasn't a problem yet. I restarted the car and continued non-stop to Kalgoorlie several hours drive away. AUTO ELECTRICS WORKSHOP HELP Upon arrival in Kalgoorlie I pulled into a roadside auto electrics workshop to get it checked. Expecting the worse outcome. After a short while wondering if I had done something inadvertently. I pressed the unused unlabelled central button and all lights went off. Sheepishly with car bonnet up, I told the auto electrician the problem solved itself and thanked him for taking a look. He wouldn't accept payment for his time. The point is solo driving for long periods in a remote hot area 35c many hours' drive from civilisation does play on your mind when even small, unexpected problems arise. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP KALGOORLIE GOOGLE MAPS NORSEMAN GOOGLE MAPS NORSEMAN LAND SAILS NORSEMAN CAMEL TRAIN OPEN CUT GOLD MINE KALGOORLIE SUPERPIT THE SUPER PIT, KALGOORLIE YORK HOTEL KALGOORLIE CBD OUTBACK DRIViNG THE RABBIT PROOF FENCE WAS A FAILURE IN THE LONG TERM THE PROJECT, ALTHOUGH GRAND, PROVED TOO LITTLE TO LATE KALGOORLIE GOOGLE MAPS PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT HOMEPAGE

DAY ONE OF ROAD TRIP AUSTRALIA MAY 23 Tuesday morning Solo road trip to South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and return to Victoria. Approximately seven to eight weeks in duration. Driving a Ford Falcon four door XR6 from the Wimmera in Victoria to South Australia. First night was an overnight stay in Adelaide. CURRENT ADELAIDE FIVE DAY FORECAST DRIVE ADELAIDE - KIMBA - CEDUNA Driving from Victoria, drive out of the Adelaide Hills onto Portrush Road, Adelaide South Australia. There are motel accommodations on Portrush Road. This is a very busy main road and can be used to bypass the Adelaide CBD. Alternatively, visit the Adelaide beachside suburb of Glenelg. Driving from Victoria and before driving onto Portrush Road, turn left onto Cross Road and join ANZAC Highway and then follow all the way to Glenelg. This is a very popular area. There are tourist focused local shops, restaurants and hotels. The only tram service in Adelaide runs along Jetty Road from Moseley Square, GleneIg. To bypass Adelaide city, drive west along Portrush Road towards Kimba 463km and onto Ceduna. Day Two Adelaide, and on the road by 9 am and drove to Ceduna via the city of Port Augusta, Wudinna and Kimba. A distance of 775km. A huge red dust storm enveloped the Ceduna area when I approached the town. The next day was clear and calm. Stayed only one night in Ceduna. Port Agusta The city, located on the edge of the Outback, has a population exceeding thirteen thousand. Port Augusta is situated along the shores of Spencer Gulf. It serves as a starting point for journeys to Central Australia and the Outback when travelling north. To the west looms the Nullarbor Outback. Many regard Port Agusta as the last stop before travelling through remote very small highway towns and roadhouse stops. The city is said to have a hot desert climate. To the west lie Kimba and Ceduna. Kimba Kimba is a service town on the Eyre Highway at the top of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. The small town is between Port Agusta and Ceduna. Kimba has a population of a little over six hundred. Ceduna Last Town on the Edge of Civilisation A town on the west coast of the Eyre Peninsula South Australia. 800 km from Adelaide. Ceduna is derived from the aboriginal word Chedoona . Said to mean, 'a place to sit down and rest'. Ceduna is the last town of about two thousand residents before crossing the Nullarbor Plain. Accommodation was found in the Ceduna Foreshore Motel. Offering reasonable rates and facing the beachfront. The foreshore lined with tall mature pine trees and green grass. A great spot for eating fish & chips on a beachside table and seat under the pines. The ocean sparkling in bright sunshine and seagulls milling about for a tasty chip. Thought I would treat myself to a room, a proper bed and a full meal before venturing into the Outback with a sedan and tent. Not knowing what services will be available after leaving Ceduna. Hotel Takeaway From the Foreshore Motel accommodation, the local hotel is just one hundred metres away. ID is required for takeaway liquor at their bottleshop. Even for older senior adults. Me walking into the bottleshop to purchase two cans of alcohol and being asked for ID. I said you must be joking. No, I was told to produce ID proof of age. The request is really to ascertain if prior purchases of alcohol were made on that day. If so, a total daily limit is enforced on all customers and service may be refused. This includes multi venues included in a purchase on the day. It's a State government legal requirement not only enforced in rural South Australia but rural Western Australia and the Northern Territory as well. It's a measure to curb alcohol related crime and or abuse. Fair enough, I had to return to the motel and car to gather my ID and return on foot again. I had just driven 800 km and just wanted a rest with a cool drink. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP GLENELG, ADELAIDE GOOGLE MAPS CEDUNA GOOGLE MAPS KIMBA GOOGLE MAPS GLENELG JETTY & THE OLD SUNKEN JETTY FURTHER OUT GLENELG AND THE GRAND HOTEL ON RIGHT KIMBA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA KIMBA ROADSIDE TRACTOR DISPLAY BIG BIRD THING WUDINNA FARMING STATUE 103 KM WEST OF KIMBA IT'S A VERY LONG WAY AROUND AUSTRALIA PREV SA/WA/NT NEXT PREV SOUTH AUSTRALIA NEXT HOMEPAGE POST

Daydream Island One of many islands within the Whitsunday Islands group in Queensland, Australia. A part of the Great Barrier Reef. Daydream Island is small in size. One km in length and 400m at its widest. The highest point is fifty-one metres above sea level. Daydream Island is in the Whitsundays Island group 5 km off of the Queensland mainland. It's an easy 30 minute ferry transfer from Hamilton Island where daily interstate flights arrive. The island is much smaller and laid back than the highrise of Hamilton Island. All walking tracks and sights can be done within an easy one hour stroll. Naked Mermaids of the Great Barrier Reef Three life-size mermaid statues named Serenity, Aphrodesia, and Infinity, symbolizing mind, body, and spirit respectively, once graced the main foreshore of the island resort. These stunning sculptures were a beloved feature, captivating visitors with their beauty and significance. Serenity exuded a sense of calm and tranquillity, while Aphrodesia represented love and passion, and Infinity embodied the eternal connection between the physical and spiritual realms. However, the devastating Cyclone Debbie in 2017 wrought havoc on the island, washing away these iconic statues along with the memories they held. Despite the passage of time, the absence of Serenity, Aphrodesia, and Infinity is keenly felt by both locals and tourists alike. Their disappearance left a void in the landscape, a reminder of the destructive power of nature. In the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie, the island resort underwent a complete renovation to restore its former glory. While the physical damage caused by the cyclone has been repaired, the emotional and symbolic loss of the mermaid statues lingers on. The decision not to replace them speaks to the island's resilience and ability to adapt to change, yet their absence serves as a poignant reminder of the impermanence of beauty and the cycle of creation and destruction that defines the natural world. The island resort has been fully renovated after cyclone Debbie. Updated accommodation and attractions. A new replacement Outdoor Cinema. There is a new underwater observatory. An expanded Living Reef experience lagoon, featuring over 100 species of marine fish, rays, and more, extends 200 metres throughout the resort. Kayaks are available for hire. It's possible to kayak around the island although on the wind wood side paddling becomes more difficult. Traveldriven ENTER CLICK/TAP DAYDREAM ISLAND GOOGLE MAPS IN REALTIME POOL VIEW OUTDOOR CINEMA DAYDREAM ISLAND MERMAIDS LOST AT SEA Daydream Island Mermaids PREV BARRIER REEF NEXT PREV QUEENSLAND NEXT HOMEPAGE

Tom Kruse MBE Birdsville Mailman The legendary Tom Kruse took over the mail contract paying 396 pounds per year to operate the Birdsville - Marree Mail Run from January 1948 to 1963. Tom held the mail run for 15 years, delivering goods and mail to Birdsville and outposts along the track through floods, drought, and drifting sand dunes. Driving a Leyland Badger built in the UK in 1936, his exploits resulted in the documentary: Last Mail from Birdsville - The Story of Tom Kruse. (2000) 54 minutes Driving Down the Birdsville Track The track had reopened a few days before allowing our Toyota Landcruiser to drive down the Birdsville Track. It had been closed for recent heavy rain. The Track is a distance of 517 km of dirt road. A few patches were encountered over the track of drifting sand perhaps fifty metres or so pulling the Landcruiser to one side a little. A few water crossings here and there. More like large shallow puddles almost the width of the track and all with a firm base. The Mungeranie to Marree section of road was in much better shape being a well-formed double road. Perhaps in the future this will be sealed? The section 205 km in length. A two-wheel drive car could easily drive this length of road. Whilst the track was closed, a 4WD vehicle had driven up the track from Marree, making it all the way to Birdsville. The track was still very much water-affected from recent heavy rainfall. Because of this foolhardy individual, his vehicle had left deep wheel ruts the length of the two-way track. Most had now dried out, leaving behind very rough wheel ruts to navigate. Much of the driving needed to be done on the wrong side of the road to avoid the churned-up ruts in the road. Luckily, there are very few travellers along the track. Traveldriven Lyrics of the Song Rain On The Track Rain On The Track You won't get up to Birdsville mate. The inside tracks a lake; The Diamantina's running strong For that's the way droughts break. And if you drive from Clifton Hills Across the swollen creeks And take the outside, why mate, You'll be out for weeks. Refrain For there's rain on the track and there may be more. The grass will come as it did before, And even the cattle are water logged, There's rain on the track and the mailman's bogged. There's a glint on the plain where the creek-beds lie The dingoes whine 'cos they can't keep dry, So move on mate, for beyond that hill- Birdsville!! The country there is wide and lean, The gibbers look like blood; And when it's dry the sand is mean, And when it's wet there's mud. You won't get up to Birdsville mate, Or else you'll need some luck; You're down, and to the axle too- Well mate, I'd say your stuck. There's bitumen in Birdsville, mate A great artesian bore. It's in the beef and sugar State- You've not been there before? The brolgas dance at sunset mate, And street lamps light the town. It makes a kind of music When the Diamantina's down. And so you've got to Birdsville now Although you're two weeks late, You've left a tyre and pints of sweat, You're dug up half the State. Your car's a muddy juggernaut, Such roads you've never met. You'd better rest in Birdsville, mate, You have to drive back yet! .... by Max Fatchen DRIVE BIRDSVILLE TO MARREE BIRDSVILLE TRACK SIGNAGE RAIN ON THE TRACK SONG & VIDEO WILD DINGO ON THE BIRDSVILLE TRACK BIRDSVILLE TRACK TOM KRUSE FAMOUS BIRDSVILLE MAILMAN TOM KRUSE PLAQUE, IN BIRDSVILLE PREV PAGE NEXT