Station stays charge a bit more for camping, $30 p.n. Fire pits are available but you have to bring in your own firewood. Not a problem as there is so much along the roads. The chain saw came in very handy too. At one stop there was a lonely bull eyeing D’Arcy off, but he was just curious. The ablutions were clean but the laundry only included tubs with hot & cold water, so hand washing was in order. Out of bread and D’Arcy’s skills with cooking bread in the camp oven went really well. As Mt. Elizabeth is a working cattle station some of the cattle were to just roam free around the camping area. It was lovely to see actually. A family of peacocks too, with one who took a shine to our bumper bar and thought he had an opponent and kept at it for hours squawking and jumping. Nothing would deter him. Of course many kangaroos. The setting was lovely with lots of trees. The station has a private gorge which we attempted do drive to, but unfortunately after 8klms. we had to give up. It was just not suitable for our vehicle, due to having a long wheel base. The track being very rocky, narrow, windy & hilly. We were not the only ones.
After 2 nights it was on to Drysdale River Station, 59klms. along the Kalumbaru Rd on the north side of G.R.R. which leads to The Mitchell Plateau and the town of Kalumbaru. Unfortunately we would run out of time if a trip to The Mitchell Plateau was going to be on the agenda so only 1 night was spent at Drysdale River Station. Facilities included a restaurant, bar, fuel, ablutions and laundry with washing machines ($4 per load) but after hand washing I didn’t care as sheets and towels needed doing. We shouted ourselves to the buffet dinner which was great. Outdoor seating gave a great atmosphere. A classic was the public phone in an old refrigerator. (have included the photos). Fuel, we paid $2.08 per ltr. We were told to expect this because of the remoteness. The 59klms. from the G.R.R. Junction was well graded and wide for most of it, with some sections a bit corrugated with a few creek crossings.
The following day after our departure and arriving back at the Junction Road there was a tourist standing in the middle directing traffic. It just seemed so funny we stopped to talk and he said that 30 vehicles had just been through and was amazed. You do see some unusual sites along the track. Because of the road surface many vehicles have blow outs and breakdowns. We came across a lone bike rider. I wondered how many tyres he would have done? Including dust in the lungs.
Our trek to Home Valley Station (19th July) was 234klms. which was our longest day. It doesn’t seem much, but when you take into consideration that driving is a lot slower, especially when oncoming vehicles create a dust storm.
Next Home Valley.......
