Daly Waters, Northern Territory, Australia
Today we came about 400kms further north on the Stuart Highway, stopping and reading the Memorials along the way. There were no towns of any real size. Elliott is the biggest and the 'Central Desert Shire' comes that far north. Elliott is a bit north of the Tanami Desert. I thought it may have been a town we could stay at on our way back down the Stuart Highway, but soon changed my mind when we stopped for fuel! The indigenous homes surrounding the very sad caravan park, were not inviting and when I saw the abo coming out of the servo with a green six pack before noon, I decided this was not the place to stay. The north side of the town was no more attractive than the south!
Morning tea stop was at the entrance to 'Muckarty Station'. I was doing a bit of internet research and came across an article about UFO's on the station. The manager says "He sees strange things in the sky often, but they have never called in for a drink"! But in April this year they did land! There was a photo of a bare area on the ground with grass all around. He believes something has landed there! "Still didn't bother to call in for a drink though"! I took a photo of an old rusty valiant in the bush. As if I haven't got enough photos!
Lunch stop was at 'Newcastle Waters Rest Area'. Just as we were about to leave a desperate traveller pulled in, hoping one of the grey nomads could help him. He was nearly out of fuel, so Pete was the 'good samaritan' and unlocked his jerry can and put $20 worth of fuel into his car.
The historic town of 'Newcastle Waters' was nearby and it is only a few kms off the highway. It is pretty much deserted now, but there were stories recorded on the information boards, of the droving days. Newcastle is situated on the junction of three major stock routes. We might call in for a look on our way back down the highway, in a couple of weeks or so.
We couldn't believe how many cyclists we had seen on the road today. A lot of people must need the personal challenge of riding the Stuart Highway we believe. We have seen so many cyclists in our travels, but five today was the greatest number in one day. They have all been cycling on their own until today, when we saw a man and a woman taking on the challenge together.
We arrived at 'Daly Waters' about 2.30pm and were amazed at the number of caravans already in the caravan park. We got one of the last powered sites, so if you intend to have an overnight stay here, it pays to not be too late. There is a small overflow area as well. Bookings and payment is made at the pub and the Irish barmaid/receptionist was telling everyone if they wanted to book for the barramundi or half barra, half steak, barbie that night, they needed to do it early. There was a sitting every half hour and the first was at 6.30pm. We managed to get in for the 7.00pm sitting.
You sat wherever you could get a seat and those that had been fed, still hadn't had enough water! There was entertainment too, so of course they weren't going to get up and leave at 7.00pm. So we asked a young couple if we could sit with them. We ended up having a great night with Gary and Fiona. They were from Mount Gambier and Gary has a school bus run, bringing the high school kids from Dartmoor to Mount Gambier. It was great to be able to say we had been to both places! Also have to say that Pete was really dragging a leg, trying to keep up with Gary! And we were nearly the last to leave the pub! We thought it was time to go, when they started putting the chairs up on the tables.
Now to the 'Daly Waters Pub' and the small settlement. All very eccentric! But if you ever get the opportunity, do visit. Talk about 'STUFF' hanging around in the Bar! You name it, it will be there! Bras, knickers, international money, hats, Tshirts...even a ram's scull. Out in the barbie area there was a 'thongs corner' and old memorabilia everywhere. We were met in the caravan park by a guy riding a push bike with a big akubra on his head. He had a big grey beard and a soft toy horse tied to the handle-bars of his bike. Can't believe I didn't take a snap! He showed everyone to a site and made sure they parked where they needed to be. The 'Holesail Outlet' across from the pub was a classic as well! They had a sign that said "Under New Manijment....Worser than Evya".
Before we left next morning we walked down to the 'Stuart Tree'. John McDouall came through here and it is believed he carved his initial on 'THE Tree'. You do have to use your imagination quite a bit this days to identify the initials! The tree has been burnt in a bushfire, but we the tourists, still go for a look!
The small settlement of 'Daly Waters' was started by Bill and Rita Pearce around 1930. They built a store to service travellers, drovers and settlers and later air-passengers, en route to London. The pub was given a licence in 1938. Prior to World War 2,'Daly Waters' was the site for the first 'International Airport in Australia' and refuelled planes and provided refreshments to passengers en route to London. The trip cost 275 pounds and took 8 days. The Pearce's played mine hosts, feeding and providing overnight accommodation for the travellers. Bill was also responsible for refuelling the planes. Rita was making a good living providing meals to the passengers. We visited a little art studio across from the pub and Kevin had a folder with the story of the 'Pearce's Life' in Daly Waters. I was able to photograph a couple of pages and he told me there was a book I could purchase at the Pub. Which I did!
My school friend, that I have just found again, has a maiden name of Pearce. Maybe you will have a connection to the 'Daly Waters Pub' Chez. You might be able to add it to the list of dining with Kelly Slater, partying at Anna Creek Station and whatever happened at William Creek Pub! Our next stop is going to be Mataranka to check out the Thermal Pools. 14 photos
Morning tea stop was at the entrance to 'Muckarty Station'. I was doing a bit of internet research and came across an article about UFO's on the station. The manager says "He sees strange things in the sky often, but they have never called in for a drink"! But in April this year they did land! There was a photo of a bare area on the ground with grass all around. He believes something has landed there! "Still didn't bother to call in for a drink though"! I took a photo of an old rusty valiant in the bush. As if I haven't got enough photos!
Lunch stop was at 'Newcastle Waters Rest Area'. Just as we were about to leave a desperate traveller pulled in, hoping one of the grey nomads could help him. He was nearly out of fuel, so Pete was the 'good samaritan' and unlocked his jerry can and put $20 worth of fuel into his car.
The historic town of 'Newcastle Waters' was nearby and it is only a few kms off the highway. It is pretty much deserted now, but there were stories recorded on the information boards, of the droving days. Newcastle is situated on the junction of three major stock routes. We might call in for a look on our way back down the highway, in a couple of weeks or so.
We couldn't believe how many cyclists we had seen on the road today. A lot of people must need the personal challenge of riding the Stuart Highway we believe. We have seen so many cyclists in our travels, but five today was the greatest number in one day. They have all been cycling on their own until today, when we saw a man and a woman taking on the challenge together.
We arrived at 'Daly Waters' about 2.30pm and were amazed at the number of caravans already in the caravan park. We got one of the last powered sites, so if you intend to have an overnight stay here, it pays to not be too late. There is a small overflow area as well. Bookings and payment is made at the pub and the Irish barmaid/receptionist was telling everyone if they wanted to book for the barramundi or half barra, half steak, barbie that night, they needed to do it early. There was a sitting every half hour and the first was at 6.30pm. We managed to get in for the 7.00pm sitting.
You sat wherever you could get a seat and those that had been fed, still hadn't had enough water! There was entertainment too, so of course they weren't going to get up and leave at 7.00pm. So we asked a young couple if we could sit with them. We ended up having a great night with Gary and Fiona. They were from Mount Gambier and Gary has a school bus run, bringing the high school kids from Dartmoor to Mount Gambier. It was great to be able to say we had been to both places! Also have to say that Pete was really dragging a leg, trying to keep up with Gary! And we were nearly the last to leave the pub! We thought it was time to go, when they started putting the chairs up on the tables.
Now to the 'Daly Waters Pub' and the small settlement. All very eccentric! But if you ever get the opportunity, do visit. Talk about 'STUFF' hanging around in the Bar! You name it, it will be there! Bras, knickers, international money, hats, Tshirts...even a ram's scull. Out in the barbie area there was a 'thongs corner' and old memorabilia everywhere. We were met in the caravan park by a guy riding a push bike with a big akubra on his head. He had a big grey beard and a soft toy horse tied to the handle-bars of his bike. Can't believe I didn't take a snap! He showed everyone to a site and made sure they parked where they needed to be. The 'Holesail Outlet' across from the pub was a classic as well! They had a sign that said "Under New Manijment....Worser than Evya".
Before we left next morning we walked down to the 'Stuart Tree'. John McDouall came through here and it is believed he carved his initial on 'THE Tree'. You do have to use your imagination quite a bit this days to identify the initials! The tree has been burnt in a bushfire, but we the tourists, still go for a look!
The small settlement of 'Daly Waters' was started by Bill and Rita Pearce around 1930. They built a store to service travellers, drovers and settlers and later air-passengers, en route to London. The pub was given a licence in 1938. Prior to World War 2,'Daly Waters' was the site for the first 'International Airport in Australia' and refuelled planes and provided refreshments to passengers en route to London. The trip cost 275 pounds and took 8 days. The Pearce's played mine hosts, feeding and providing overnight accommodation for the travellers. Bill was also responsible for refuelling the planes. Rita was making a good living providing meals to the passengers. We visited a little art studio across from the pub and Kevin had a folder with the story of the 'Pearce's Life' in Daly Waters. I was able to photograph a couple of pages and he told me there was a book I could purchase at the Pub. Which I did!
My school friend, that I have just found again, has a maiden name of Pearce. Maybe you will have a connection to the 'Daly Waters Pub' Chez. You might be able to add it to the list of dining with Kelly Slater, partying at Anna Creek Station and whatever happened at William Creek Pub! Our next stop is going to be Mataranka to check out the Thermal Pools. 14 photos
2025-05-22