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| The trip to Darwin |
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| We set off in May 2000, on a trip of at least 3500kms, from Lismore to Darwin. First stop, Inskip Point and rainbow beach. |
| After a few days of overcast coast travelling north, we decided to head inland. We visited beautiful Carnarvon Gorge, and saw our first real Aboriginal cave art. |
| Near a tiny town called Kynuna, we were told about this billabong. Apparently the story of "Waltzing Matilda" occured just down the creek. |
| Barcaldine (pron. Bar-call-den). This hut was one of many old buildings at "Mad Micks". A dusty tourist attraction with heaps of old relics. Not to mention pet kangaroos, and emus. |
| Off the main road to a tiny place called Oplaton. Maybe 6 people lived there. All of them single older males, who had caught the bug of fossicking for opals. I found a very pretty piece on the last day there. We met four interesting travellers staying at the "caravan Park". Cute huts with rough beds, for $2/night. |
| Driving in the west of Queensland, we see a strip of yellow in the distance. closer inspection reveals a field of sunflowers. Spectacular. The close up even has two obligatory bees. |
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| We had to leave Opalton in the middle of the night, as it started to rain. We had to cross several creek beds to get back to civilisation, and we didn't have enough water or food to stay more than a day or so. We then got a flat tyre out in the middle of nowhere, but finally made it to Lark Quarry, and what a sight. A dino stampede recorded in dry mud. |
| Then we drove and drove and drove and finally made it to Mataranka, NT. I was well and truly sick of camping, so we splurged and spent the night in a mud brick motel. Mataranka is famous for its thermal springs. I loved them. |
| Up to Katherine, and the Katherine Gorge. We did a half day canoe up the gorge, me holding Serenity (4 months old), and Samuel paddling against fierce head winds. Beautiful rock faces, stunning pools and cave art. Next time I'll take the tour. |
| Not far to Darwin now. Douglous Hot Springs we discovered was even better than Matarankas. Samuel (above) is sitting in water as hot as he can bear. We literally spent all day in the water. I am sick of camping. |