0030 Broome to Doon Doon Roadhouse.

21^st – 24^th June 2017

The Gibb River Road

Start of the Gibb river road

We were up early on the 21^st so we get could get packed up and down to the Toyota dealer in Broome by 7.30 am for an oil change and quick check of the car before we hit the infamous Gibb River Road. We said goodbye to Jos & Tony as they headed back home via the black top – We planned to catch up with them again in Alice Springs.  By 10.30 am we were all done, and although they found a couple of minor issues, I decided they could last till we got home, and after fueling up we headed east towards Derby – straight and  

                                                                                                   boring !

0029 Broome

17^th – 20^th June 2017

Cable Beach, helicopters, sunsets, and camels !

Tony measures out his parking space !

Originally we had only scheduled a couple of days in Broome, but we got there a couple of days earlier than expected, and the camp site wasn’t booked out, so we managed to have a good few days break from driving.   And a chance to look for a few spare parts and get oil changes done.   We had set up in the dark last night, so once we had everything properly sorted out, we headed into Broome to check out the action.  When parking we found out one of Jos and Tony’s “quirks” – Jos likes to park exactly between the lines, so Tony, being Tony, often parks

Hawk in the tree on Cable Beach

crooked in order to annoy Jos !   On this instance he reckoned he parked straight, but Jos wasn’t sure, so Tony pulled out his tape measure that he carries ONLY for this purpose, and measured the distance from his wheels to the white lines !!   I won’t say who was correct, but needless to say, Janet & I were in fits of laughter as we watched Tony (in a crowded parking lot) measuring up his car to make sure it was straight !!

0028 Bungle Bungles to Broome

15^{th –} 16^th June 2017

Geikie Gorge, Derby, and big boab trees.

Up early after a long sleep, and had a great shower in the corrugated iron units which have no roof on, so in the morning you shower in the sunlight, and in the evening you shower under the stars !  Very enjoyable, for a change !!  After filling the water tank, we headed out towards Halls Creek, where we refueled and had a coffee, then headed on.

0027 Lake Argyle to the Bungle Bungles

13^th June 2017

 The incredible formations of the Bungles

Ord River

After packing up, we crossed the Ord River again on the way out of the park, with the water flowing down from the dam and on out for use in all the irrigation projects in the region.  We headed into Kununurra for groceries, fuel, and information about the Bungle Bungles, as well as to post a birthday car to daughter Sarah in America.  At the gas station we found some interesting toilets, with the doors painted up as old style outdoor dunnies, and paintings of boab trees on them – Quite fun ! 

0026 N Territory to W Australia

8^th -  12^th  June 2017

Barkly Station to Lake Argyle

Barkly Highway

Peacock at Renner Springs

After getting our LPG bottle refilled (it was very close to empty), we bought an excellent  bacon & egg roll from the bar and hit the road.  It was an almost dead straight road to 3 Ways Roadhouse where the Barkly Hwy joins the north-south Stuart Hwy, with only about 3 corners in the 190 kms !   We got fuel at 3 Ways, but not very nice and quite expensive, so we kept on going past Banka Banka to Renner Springs, where we were set up by 1.30 pm, had lunch, and a lazy afternoon.  Jos & Janet tried to go for a walk but encountered a snake early on, so gave up and came home for a drink !!

0025 Queensland to Northern Territory

1^st – 7^th June 2017

Gold Coast to Barkly Station.  2399 Kms.

No more toll roads for us this trip !!

We had packed the Troopie up over the last few days, had a final oil change and service plus an electrical check for a wiring fault, so we able to have a relaxed morning and after saying farewell to Trooper and his babysitters, Col & Al, set off about 10 am on the 1^st June.  Pinch and a punch.  Start odometer reading 431,790 kms.  After a quick stop at the supermarket for some fresh bread, we headed out towards Toowoomba, passing through the last freeway tolls we would see for a while !!   No toll roads in the north !!