Port Lincoln to Victoria River

 4th June - Having booked a trip to Berkeley River Lodge we did not want to miss our departure date 29th June

0750hrs on the road – all secure, house n shed. 

 Thelma returning from her walk, quick chat whilst GPS firing up.

2 hours and breakfast at Cowell, with a phone call from Linden Masters just past Port Neil.

Refuelled  Port Augusta, then to Arid Land Botanical Gardens 1300hrs – Ian and Heather also just pulled in getting plants. We had lunch, Angus beef burger and Sue open sandwich - leg ham, mustard, cheese and pineapple with salad.

5.2hrs 414k's @ 1500hrs pulled up at our rest area for the night. Gas ON!! Hose leaking – self contained - new hose under my battery box seat replaced hose c/w gas tape. Pretty good considering it’s a 2003 Mfg. Seems my milk crate bouncing on the hose finally damaged / weaken the hose.

3 vans pulled in with 1 A/H within 3 mtrs. Oh! Well he will get awaken early!!

No tea required after our big lunch.

No leaks 

Replacing rail tie downs - E clips

10 drums 

8 trains during the night – 3 gave us a blast!! Sue’s heavy breathing – no it’s not snoring, kept waking us!!

0545hrs – enough – heater on, coffee and on the road @ 0630hrs into the fog for 20ks or so. 
One large bull – dead in the middle of the road 30k’s south of Pimba.

2hrs and 10 minutes we pull up for breakfast!! 

We still have k's to go.

Head winds getting stronger as the morning wanes. 1300hrs and Cobber Pedy already – refueled, lunch.  

75ks’ up the road to camp at Pootunoora Rest Area – 6hr 30min 514k’s for the day

0650hrs on the road and thru Alice in peak hour almost.

Shell and fueled up by 0758hrs – cooked breakfast – boil eggs and toast to keep us going all day. Stopped at numerous rest area’s – Taylors Creek now has a phone hot spot – see photo.

Only 380k’s today, 5 hour drive time.

Sat. TV now working for NT after calling this morning

KGW with salad and chips  

0630hrs on the road – Sue finally got a good night’s sleep. 0716hrs full fuel, woolies for human fuel. 

Rod n Rifle = CLOSED ON SUNDAY’S!!

Yep! it's a Barrow Light - the Barrow's upside down - neat

Camp ground around 1330hrs and full almost we got the last spot- typical N Parks – no room to swing a cat, all pokey camps.  Magic boat ramp and river has potential.

Booked our camp down the hill with westerly shading during the day / late afternoon.

Veggie noodles w/egg on top for tea!!

Magic boat ramp and river has potential.

Talked to this guy later in the day - 8 hours and no fish!

 Not ideal for unloading tinnie, trailer etc. and then where to park everything – crazy!

Some majestic Boab trees

New bridge going in 

Bradshaw Army Base / Training ground

Another full day on the water = NO FISH! 
We had already decided to move on after interviewing numerous fishes = 'NO FISH'!

PLAN 'B' 

0630hrs on the road – not a sole stirring as we departed, 95k drive to the Escarpment Walk.

Soon climbing the Escarpment Walk – 3k’s return. 1.5hrs we did it in much less with photo stops etc. Well worth the climb. 

We made it - well worth the climb in the early AM

58K's from Katherine - Camped up by 1245hrs before the rush with a prime location, 12 others arriving during the afternoon.

We are heading for Keswick Point - 1st visited back in 2006 one of our 1st real off road adventures.