Category: Big Australia Adventure (2025)

We had visited Daly Waters before, in 2020, and it didn’t disappoint. The quirky nature of this pub draws tourists to hear good live music, have a cool drink and dine on the famous grilled “ beef & barra”.

Tim, the owner, is passionate about the history of the region. He particularly honours those who defended Australia from the Japanese in WWII. As we travel we realise increasingly how close Australia came to be occupied by Japan. There is evidence of this throughout the Northern Territory and north WA.

A really pleasant overnight stop here with a drive through, grass AND fewer flies 😊

Pleasant morning tea stop at Tennant Creek Telegraph Station.

Stations such as these were successful only because of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the pioneering men who manned them.

We left Alice Springs for our next overnight stop at Devil’s Marbles.

This is a unique landscape, where you can picture a petulant giant scattering his marbles and stomping off in a huff.

On the hill climb at Olive Pink Botanical Gardens we were treated to a panoramic view of Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges in the distance.

We visited the Araluen Arts Centre with new friends, Phil and Narelle, whom we have got to know over the last week. It was a treat to see the 2024 Archibald finalists here, as well as paintings by Albert Namatjira and local artists.

We camped by Palm Creek in an idyllic setting.

The next morning we set out to see the cycads and red cabbage palms, which are mysteriously found in this area. The four km drive to Palm Valley was the hardest 4WD we have done!

Our hike was challenging. The surfaces ranged from sand and river stones to steep red rock boulders. However, extraordinary scenes awaited us. The natural colours were rich and saturated and took our breath away.

Our second day’s walk was to Kalarranga Lookout. We had wonderful views from the top towards Palm Valley and our campsite. The colours and shapes of the rock are stunning.

We stayed overnight in Alice Springs so we could prepare to be off grid for six days. So the van tanks and water bladder were filled and we did a supermarket shop.
Sadly we experienced the scenes of indigenous people gathered in large numbers with little to do but argue and fight in the streets. Woolworths and most shops were manned by policemen or private security officers.

Quirky overnight stop on our way to Alice Springs at the Roadhouse.

Tom Cat Hill Caravan Park is located in the side of a hill with a vista of almost 360°. It is living in the desert – hot in the day, temperatures dropping to single figures at night. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets every day. We were here for three nights.

Birthday dinner on another hill as the sun went down at the Big Winch.

We went to the Catacomb Church for the morning service. It is run by Anglican Bush Church Aid and Dave and Marg have been serving the community here for a number of years. It was a great service where the gospel of Jesus was faithfully preached. The congregation was made up of regulars, tourists & locals who had travelled in to town to vote the day before. About 30 of us.

Old Timers Mine & Museum

Serbian Orthodox Church

St Peter and Paul Catholic Church and bell tower.

These roads were the most challenging we have travelled and took two nights and three days to do it. Six tyres were deflated to 30 PSI and two rear car tyres to 33 PSI. The dirt roads commenced at North Blinman, to Marree, to Lake Eyre, to William Creek, to Coober Pedy. The distance was 590kms. We were pleased with the way car and van handled the demanding conditions. (The “spare” spare tyre on the roof rack loosened its bindings and the sliding door of the bathroom came off its runner). The only dust that seeped in was when we forgot to secure the dust cover at the base of the door 😳 Rookie error.

Unusual sculptures along the road were constructed of metal remnants of discarded cars, machinery equipment and planes.

Stunning Lake Eyre

The water from Queensland floods had not arrived (due in another week) so there were no birds.

Coward Springs

William Creek