Tonight we are at the Barkly Homestead. We have about 230 kms to go to the border of Queensland. The 'Barkly Homestead' is very nicely kept and the caravan and camping area is quite full. Restaurant and bar area very nice also. There are very neat and tidy motel units and cabins. The cost in the caravan park is $35.00 for two people and the price of fuel is $2.09. That is 20 cents more than we paid for fuel at 'Three Ways Roadhouse'. The Barkly Highway has been extremely straight and very, very flat. Low scrub and at times it has been amazing just how far you can see across the 'Barkly Tablelands'. We have travelled from Dunmarra today, stopping at 'Newcastle Waters' for a look at the now deserted town. 'Newcastle Waters' is an abandoned historic town with a rich history from the 'Droving Days'. I took some photos and they are included in the previous blog which I haven't shared. That blog is my record of a book I have just finished reading and if anyone is interested you will be able to read the blog anytime. The book was a great read for the Stuart Highway trip. Lunch was at the 'Three Ways Roadhouse' where there was plenty of room to park before we fuelled up. There are lots of free camping spots on the Barkly Highway, but we have decided to check out the 'Barkly Homestead'.  We have internet and after 3 nights with none, it is worth the $35.00. Plus I have been able to watch the 'X Factor' tonight and found that 'Brothers Three', who we thought were excellent at Tamworth, have made it to the next cut at Boot Camp. A couple of stories to record from our stay at 'Dunmarra', which was $22.50 for the night. When we arrived there was a truck with three trailers parked at the roadhouse. It was a pretty impressive rig and it had 'Roper River Produce' on the trailers. Mataranka is on the Roper River. While I was checking in, Peter got to talk with the driver. He was loaded with watermelons, taking them through to Melbourne. It was obviously his own rig, as he was the farmer. The lady in the roadhouse had also said to him "See you next week" as he left with his take away food. Peter and I discussed the weight he would be pulling. A watermelon is pretty weighty! Price he would be getting etc. We decided he probably wasn't making a fortune! He did say to Peter "He was hoping to get a higher price with his timing to the market".We were parked next to a couple who have been travelling Australia for 11 years. The fella says they have seen 95% of Australia. They have children in Darwin, Adelaide and Brisbane and they go and visit each of the kids every so often. He said "If they didn't do it that way, the kids wouldn't come to see them"! Anyway that are staying at Dunmarra for 3 nights because they went with the deal, pay for 2, stay for 3! We have no idea what they would do for 3 nights in Dunmarra! Read a book and vege maybe! Anyway it created discussion between Peter and I.

We both decided that we hope we have, and will be able to continue to make a contribution to society and community, rather than travel Australia for 11 years in a caravan.                                                           We will be home kids! 

12 photos