Borroloola, Northern Territory, Australia
So we went to lunch at the Burketown pub but ended up not having the Barraburger as they were served on Turkish bread and Craig preferred a good old burger bun. Instead we both had the seafood basket which was ginormous and delicious. I didn't even attempt to eat any chips to make sure I could eat all the seafood and I only just managed. We were absolutely stuffed full so tea became a non event. We touched base with our travel buddies Susie and Ken from Redcliffe in Brisbane who are driving a 4x4 Explorer motorhome. Since the road to Hells Gate was pretty straightforward we said we'd see them there.
We'd a good drive through to there - its only about 180km and most of it sealed. We got there around lunchtime and booked in. A beautiful grassy site with amazing birdlife. We noticed Barraburgers on the menu at the Roadhouse so decided we'd have tea there. So we ate the Chow Mien intended for it for lunch instead. We'd a lazy afternoon and chatted to Ken and Susie for a while. We headed over to the roadhouse around 6 and enjoyed a few drinks at the bar and an amazing Barraburger.
Lots of people to chat to as it's a busy place. We even met a guy who used to work with Theresa Purdey's husband back in northwest WA (BSL readers will know Theresa).
Next morning as we both headed across to the amenities block we were met with the sight of one very flat back tyre on the car. We had breakfast then Craig headed over to the roadhouse to see if they were able to repair a puncture as there was no way we could set off on a 300km trip over a rough road without a spare. He arrived back with Tim our barman from the night before complete with truck with hydraulic jack. He whipped off the tyre - and we didn't even have to unhitch the van, nipped over to the workshop, repaired it - removing a large coach screw! and put it back on the car. All this for $50 - money well spent and so helpful and pleasant wth it.
Off we set in front with Suzie and Ken far enough behind to avoid our dust. Ken nominated Craig as DIC of the day (Driver in Charge!) We'd tried opening the positive pressure vent for the bit of dirt road before we reached Hells Gate and despite passing a few vehicles and being covered in plenty of dust, the inside of the van was clean as a whistle.
So although we'd discussed taping over most of the vents, we decided not to.
This road while pretty flat was incredibly rough with massive corrugations so both car and van took quite a hammering. In fact the night before at Hells Gate one guy told us that coming the opposite way from us his van had been trashed. We presumed he meant the cupboards had opened and lots fell out. We are absolutely rapt with the way the Kokoda handled this terrain - not a thing moved - though I think I'm a good packer LOL - and no dust at all in the inside. But it was rough going and we'd talked it over with Ken and Susie and we thought we might break the journey overnight somewhere and just bush camp rather than pushing through to Borroloola which was a 320km trip.
The first semi surprise was the Calvert River crossing which we'd heard a few horror type stories about though I was sure I'd seen a clip on You Tube showing a causeway being built over. There was a beautiful causeway finished in 2019 so that crossing was a non event.
We stopped for lunch just over the crossing then carried on to Robinson River. Just over the river at the top of the hill was a beautiful little bush camp and we were the first two in there so got a nice level spot beside a previous fire pit. It got quite busy later and quite a few people had to move on and look for somewhere else. But us wise old owls had been on the road relatively early and got the worm! We had a beautiful sunset behind us and then we had tea, lit the fire and all chatted by the fire for an hour or two with the most sky amazing night sky again.
I was awake before sunrise this morning and when I looked out the sky was breathtaking made even more special by the sight of two brumbies meandering through the bush below us.
We'd breakfast and were on the road by 8am. Today Ken was DIC and we were TEC (Tail end Charlie). Once again we had some bone shattering corrugations. Susie and Ken have done a fair bit of Australia and reckon this is the worst road they've ever encountered. Craig said it was worse than his trip to Cape York about 27 years ago! But we survived - just tootled along trying to pick the best bits and arrived into Borroloola and booked into McArthur River Caravan Park just before 11am.
Initially we booked here for just one night but its a lovely little shady park with a beautiful new swimming pool. So we've reconsidered and booked another night and then we'll take a drive out to King Ash Bay tomorrow. Apparently its absolutely heaving with fishermen at the moment. We've had a swim in the pool which is fabulous and we've been up to the local supermarket which is incredibly well stocked and very reasonably priced and filled up on a few stores. And now Craig's catching up on news and emails as we haven't had any signal for a couple of days and I've just brought you all up to date.
Lou
2021-05-21
Amazing scenery and I can imagine the varied soundtrack that will accompany it. Our trip to Oban went well and pleased to report that Lloyd and Lewis both passed their driving theory test. I really enjoyed getting to spend the day with them and having a day away! Safe travels xxx
GAIL
2021-05-21
Ah serenity is a word that springs to mind for your scenic photos. Go safely Love The Flynns
Sharon
2021-05-21
I was starting to worry about the elusive Barra burger. Great news of your trip. Ta Annie
Lindsey
2021-05-23
Anni and Craig looks like you two are having a ball. Our country is so diverse and I will never do it in a caravan so have enjoyed our trip with you two. Go safely and thank you for the adventure