Judy & Brian Tour Oz

Drove east into a strong headwind for two hours before it finally abated and allowed us to cruise into Victoria River, 325 of the 505 km from Kununurra to Katherine. Last time we drove it both ways in one stint but it’s just too far, and I fancied a stay at the Roadhouse. It’s one of the ‘find yourself a spot’ places, which means you wander about all over the place until you choose one. We plumped for one up near the loos, mostly because it was closer than some we’ve had, and it was also the flattest looking bit of the paddock. I wandered of along the main road and took some snaps of the bridge and the river. Walked across the new bridge and back across the old one. The new one was only opened in 2009 which might explain why the road is as good as it is. Took some snaps of what I thought to be crocodile prints, so where is it now? One thing though, it’s hot: 32 in the shade. Snap West bound from Victoria River, NT

Couldn’t resist an early morning dip in the spring, so our 730am start was a bit later. We had planned to get to Katherine about 830, grab one of the big van spots at the information centre carpark and then hit the shops for a few things we were out of. By the time we go there, the place was packed with vans and rigs and trucks of every size. Luck was with us though and as one drove out, we drove in. With stocks replenished, I thought I’d be clever and get fuel as well. Pulled into the Shell, only to realize too late that they were petrol-only pumps and that getting out was going to be a problem. Fabulous how everyone stops to watch the fun! No harm done, we did without the fuel and headed out for Victoria River some 200km to the west.  All the way up from Blackall, though the Isa, The Barkly tablelands and up through the middle to Katherine had a slight air of familiarity to us, and except for the rocky outcrops near the Isa is pretty boring monotonous. But, driving west...