To The Gulf Country 2018

Roper Bar is a crossing point on the Roper River but the town (if it ever was one) has become non existent.  Last night we stayed at Tomato Island camp ground but, like other camp grounds in this region that cater to the fisherpersons, they are all but deserted.  The water has cooled off and the barramundi and other fish have gone.  The fishermen are not having a good time. Air Conditioned Bus Lone Egret Waiting For a Fish Morning Coffee Stop Crossing Roper Bar The Remains of the Roper Bar Police Station

More dirt road today with innumerable corrugations, sand holes and creek and river crossings.  There is very little traffic so we drive anywhere we liked on the road in an effort to avoid the worst of the corrugations and holes. After arriving at the Southern Lost City camp ground we found that the 3 x 1 litre boxes of UHT milk in the van had started to turn to yogurt with the cartons leaking and threatening to explode.   Add these corrugation casualties to the punctured wine bladder and beer can.  Overall we have done well - so far. UHT Milk - Corrugation Casualties Southern Lost Cities Campground

This is similar to the Southern Lost Cities further along the Savannah Way but is easily accessible via sealed road.  We took a late afternoon walk through the rock formations and then watched the sunset across the savannah. We camped nearby behind a large gravel pit which was very peaceful except for large mining trucks from the the McArther River mine passing by every hour or so. There Are Unusual Rock Formations Throughout the Reserve A Sphinx? Hiding Among The Rocks

Our next camp was at Calvert River.  We had a bit of a challenge after crossing the river to drive back up the longish muddy road climb because of the spring running down and across the dirt road.  The following night we camped at a beautiful spot beside the Robinson River. There had been reports of sharks in the river but we didn't see them so maybe the crocs got them.  Anyway it turned out to be a lovely spot for a swim and camp and we should have stayed longer.  Travellers coming the other way told us how bad the road was near Borroloola so before leaving Robinson River we further lowered the tyre pressures, checked screws, nuts and bolts and also duct taped various things in the van.  Along the way we saw many cars that had been abandoned over the years and numerous bits of cars and caravans that had fallen off due to the corrugations. As it turned out the road was no worse, and probably better than what we had already covered.  We reached Borrolo...

After leaving Adels Grove at Lawn Hill National Park we took the back road towards Doomagee. The road was good but there were few gates to go through as we crossed various cattle stations.  We then continued along Australia's Highway 1, locally called the Savannah Way.  We stopped at Hells Gate Roadhouse for the night which is named after a local geological formation.  Hells Gate is near the Queensland/NT border and in the 1880s was as far as the police would escort the early settlers from the east coast.  After that they were on their own in a lawless land - the Northern Territory of the colony of South Australia. Here We Are At Hells Gate The Various Paint Colours On The Truck Show Its Long History The Coffin Drink Cooler

The road in to Lawn Hill National Park is more corrugated than a few years ago and on the way in we passed several caravans that were going at not much more than walking pace.  Adels Grove is a nice but very busy camping spot beside Lawn Hill Creek. We had a day trip to Lawn Hill NP to do some walking and enjoy the views over Lawn Hill Gorge.  Back at Adels Grove we had a dip in the creek and a canoe. Indarri Falls in Lawn Hill National Park Lawn Hill Gorge Blue Tailed Robin Taken From a Campsite at Adels Grove Canoeing At Adels Grove

We found a beautiful camp spot beside the Gregory River about 100km south of Burketown.   Lots of birds and wildlife were drinking from the crystal clear waters.  Although the days are only in the mid 20s we still enjoyed a couple of quick dips in the cool water. A Beautiful Place To Camp One Of Our Daily Visitors Zebra Finches In a Nearby Tree Double Barred Finches Come For a Drink From The River A Firetail Finch Hiding In The Pandanus A Family of Firetail Finches Leaving Gregory River

Although it's only a short distance to Burketown so we elected to take an overnight stop at Leichardt River on the way.  This is Brolga country and there are also lots of wallabys - most of which seem to want to become a bonnet emblem as you drive the Gulf Country. Brolgas Ready to Land Site of Burke and Wills Northernmost Camp  in 1861 Goat Herding at Leichardt River Enjoying a Campfire at Leichardt River A Lovely Place For a Swim .....Except The Power of the Water - It Just Picks Up The Road And Takes It Away One of the Many Wallabys (Nailtail Wallaby?) Who Knew That You'd Find a Hairdresser Here? Wallaby On The Run