So far this has been an historical record of my trip round Australia but for the first time and because of poor internet connection I am posting the next three days plan.
Currently I am by the Ord River in a location sponsored by the Lions Club, there is no sign to prevent camping neither is there any sign to allow it. The location is behind the Information Board 5 kms before Kununurra and down a bitumen road leading to the boat ramp. There are signs to prevent swimming due to the presence of crocodiles and also being just below the dam there is a strong current and the chance of further openings of the wiers with more currents. Jeremy and Anthony joined me after spending the day unsuccessfully looking for work, I contributed to the meal and we enjoyed it on the table and shade set up shown on the photo, cooking outside in the dark is a new experience for me. After which we played cards again this time on the table in the van. When I arrived at the camping spot there was a man spraying small objects on a rope strung between his car and a tree, I was curious and went over to find out what he was doing. It turned out that Phil was from Hervey Bay near Maryborough in Queensland and was travelling with a caravan parked at a local caravan park where he couldn't spray his mosquito coil holders, these little gadgets are made from a fork with prongs cleverly bent and an alligator clip soldered to the tip. We talked for ages as you do with fellow travellers and I ended up buying one of his holders, the clip that comes with the coils invariably breaks and is useless when the coils break to use up the remnants.
The plan for the next three days is today drive to Camps6 #204 Big Horse Creek in the Gregory National Park just over 200 kms so there will be time to investigate the park. Jeremy and Anthony will try to find work here in Kununurra but if they are not successful will drive to Horse Creek.Tomorrow will be the same, drive to camps6 #195 Sullivan Campground still in the Gregory National Park only 100 kms. Thursday and the remaining distance 200kms to Katherine where I will book into the Manbulloo caravan Park Camps6 #190 and hopefully Steven will catch up with me there after his hitch hiking adventures. It was a convenient location some 9 kms from Katherine and on the Victoria Highway I haven't needed 240 volts since coming back from Bali at the end of March and can do without it now but will take full advantage when available.So that is the plan and whilst I can expect to follow it Jeremy and Anthony may not and possibly Steven may not link up with me either. I have enjoyed their company and if we are still travelling together we will visit more places up to Jabiru and on to Darwin.
John
billy the kid said
10:00 PM May 8, 2012
G'day John, i am enjoying reading your posts. You should get a good internet connection in Katherine .I did when i was there , and about 8km east of town. Even optus and maybe vodafail will work there.
regards billy the kid
Charlie said
08:32 PM May 9, 2012
Have just read your blog. Great reading! I'm going to Bali from Darwin in August and am staying in Ubud. Last time I stayed at Arteni2 but it's a bit more expensive than I want. Did you come across any decent accom. I could look at? Cheers...
yeoeleven said
02:11 AM May 10, 2012
Charlie wrote:
Have just read your blog. Great reading! I'm going to Bali from Darwin in August and am staying in Ubud. Last time I stayed at Arteni2 but it's a bit more expensive than I want. Did you come across any decent accom. I could look at? Cheers...
hi Charlie,
I used the airbnb website http://www.airbnb.com Selected Bali then lowest to highest rates there are many listed. I went to the Moon Room on Birgit's listing around $20 USD per night but she has discounts for longer stays I was happy with her service and help.
Am in Katherine at the Manbulloo Station but the internet is slow, will try to update this thread later.
John
Cruising Granny said
04:39 AM May 10, 2012
There's a hot spring in Katherine which has a vigorous current and is like a spa to soak in. It's behind the van park on the way in to town from the west. Can't remember the name. The people were nice there. You are certainly covering some great country. You may see some other nomads from NSW in your travels. They're in your neighbourhood somewhere now. Stay safe and have fun.
jules47 said
03:35 PM May 10, 2012
Cruising Granny wrote:
There's a hot spring in Katherine which has a vigorous current and is like a spa to soak in. It's behind the van park on the way in to town from the west. Can't remember the name. The people were nice there. You are certainly covering some great country. You may see some other nomads from NSW in your travels. They're in your neighbourhood somewhere now. Stay safe and have fun.
Think it is called the Riverside CP - but there is a gate for the public from a road next to the park (on town side) - the hot spring is beautiful, and if you sit under the overflow near the weir bit - it is like sitting in warm champagne!!!! Delicious!!!
yeoeleven said
04:15 PM May 10, 2012
Thanks for the info about the hot springs I will be going past on Friday morning and will visit them.
Here is an ujpdate to the first post in this thread.
Set off as planned and arrived at the site by 3pm, The Big Horse Creek site is mainly for fishermen and their boats, there is an excellent ramp and plenty of parking. Was disappointed to find that Jeremy and Anthony didn't arrive but I suppose that is good for them as they must have gotten work. Lost an hour and a half crossing the border into the Northern Territory and was surprised to find no search of the van for fruit, plants and honey etc. Was pleased that I didn't have to give up the large honey tub but not so pleased that I had cut all the leaves off my lemongrass plant for drying and left it at the grotto. Set off and was at the new site early and was surprised to find that The Sullivan Creek Camping Ground had little to see except a 100mtr walk to see the Creek, photo attached. I decided to continue to the Manbulloo Station where I arrived by 3pm but with very slow internet, I will try to upload pictures of Big Horse Creek, Sullivan's Creek and a photo of Anthony & Jeremy. Took 2 hours but succeeded in the end. John
Cruising Granny said
06:28 PM May 10, 2012
You are meeting some interesting travellers to travel with. It's also interesting to hear about camping sites which sound picturesque but are disappointing. Then beauty is still in the eye of the beholder. As long as you're enjoying youself, and it surely seems that you are.
Allara said
09:31 AM May 17, 2012
Hi from Allara I'm in that general area now
pricey43 said
09:42 AM May 17, 2012
The hot springs in Katherine are definately worth a visit and soak. Very enjoyable.
So far this has been an historical record of my trip round Australia but for the first time and because of poor internet connection I am posting the next three days plan.
Currently I am by the Ord River in a location sponsored by the Lions Club, there is no sign to prevent camping neither is there any sign to allow it. The location is behind the Information Board 5 kms before Kununurra and down a bitumen road leading to the boat ramp. There are signs to prevent swimming due to the presence of crocodiles and also being just below the dam there is a strong current and the chance of further openings of the wiers with more currents.
Jeremy and Anthony joined me after spending the day unsuccessfully looking for work, I contributed to the meal and we enjoyed it on the table and shade set up shown on the photo, cooking outside in the dark is a new experience for me. After which we played cards again this time on the table in the van. When I arrived at the camping spot there was a man spraying small objects on a rope strung between his car and a tree, I was curious and went over to find out what he was doing. It turned out that Phil was from Hervey Bay near Maryborough in Queensland and was travelling with a caravan parked at a local caravan park where he couldn't spray his mosquito coil holders, these little gadgets are made from a fork with prongs cleverly bent and an alligator clip soldered to the tip. We talked for ages as you do with fellow travellers and I ended up buying one of his holders, the clip that comes with the coils invariably breaks and is useless when the coils break to use up the remnants.
The plan for the next three days is today drive to Camps6 #204 Big Horse Creek in the Gregory National Park just over 200 kms so there will be time to investigate the park. Jeremy and Anthony will try to find work here in Kununurra but if they are not successful will drive to Horse Creek.Tomorrow will be the same, drive to camps6 #195 Sullivan Campground still in the Gregory National Park only 100 kms. Thursday and the remaining distance 200kms to Katherine where I will book into the Manbulloo caravan Park Camps6 #190 and hopefully Steven will catch up with me there after his hitch hiking adventures. It was a convenient location some 9 kms from Katherine and on the Victoria Highway I haven't needed 240 volts since coming back from Bali at the end of March and can do without it now but will take full advantage when available.So that is the plan and whilst I can expect to follow it Jeremy and Anthony may not and possibly Steven may not link up with me either. I have enjoyed their company and if we are still travelling together we will visit more places up to Jabiru and on to Darwin.
John
regards
billy the kid
Have just read your blog. Great reading! I'm going to Bali from Darwin in August and am staying in Ubud. Last time I stayed at Arteni2 but it's a bit more expensive than I want. Did you come across any decent accom. I could look at? Cheers...
You are certainly covering some great country. You may see some other nomads from NSW in your travels. They're in your neighbourhood somewhere now.
Stay safe and have fun.
Think it is called the Riverside CP - but there is a gate for the public from a road next to the park (on town side) - the hot spring is beautiful, and if you sit under the overflow near the weir bit - it is like sitting in warm champagne!!!! Delicious!!!
Thanks for the info about the hot springs I will be going past on Friday morning and will visit them.
Here is an ujpdate to the first post in this thread.
Set off as planned and arrived at the site by 3pm, The Big Horse Creek site is mainly for fishermen and their boats, there is an excellent ramp and plenty of parking. Was disappointed to find that Jeremy and Anthony didn't arrive but I suppose that is good for them as they must have gotten work.
Lost an hour and a half crossing the border into the Northern Territory and was surprised to find no search of the van for fruit, plants and honey etc. Was pleased that I didn't have to give up the large honey tub but not so pleased that I had cut all the leaves off my lemongrass plant for drying and left it at the grotto.
Set off and was at the new site early and was surprised to find that The Sullivan Creek Camping Ground had little to see except a 100mtr walk to see the Creek, photo attached. I decided to continue to the Manbulloo Station where I arrived by 3pm but with very slow internet, I will try to upload pictures of Big Horse Creek, Sullivan's Creek and a photo of Anthony & Jeremy. Took 2 hours but succeeded in the end. John
It's also interesting to hear about camping sites which sound picturesque but are disappointing. Then beauty is still in the eye of the beholder.
As long as you're enjoying youself, and it surely seems that you are.
The hot springs in Katherine are definately worth a visit and soak. Very enjoyable.
