Australian Accommodation

Drinking litres of water, brushing away the sticky flies, wiping the sweat from your hot face are the consequences of driving during summer from Mount Isa, Queensland to Barkly Homestead, Northern Territory. We are suffering in 43 degree heat (110F) in our Mazda T3500 which tows our 18ft caravan.

Red soil country surrounds the hot bitumen road, and is dotted with termite mounds and black and white gnarled shrubs, which sprout light green leaf. White rock reflects off red hillsides and an old bitumen road runs beside the new road for several klms. A cow carcass lies amongst the patches of spinifex grass and we pass a few old abandoned cars and a rusty windmill.

Yesterday, we drove 75klms from Mt Isa and parked the night in a rest stop. We were rewarded with a bonus of a spectacular sky. Not only trillions of bright twinkling stars, but a wonderful show of flash lightening. Overhead, an unusual dark cloud floated, which we suspected could be a plague of locusts. The lightening was low on the horizon, so it was not coming from our cloud. But we did notice several locusts dropping in.

We have been traveling Australia and house sitting randomly for 6 months, but are still getting the gliches sorted with our bus and caravan. Fortunately, my hubby, Larry, is able to fix anything that needs fixing or building – be it a small table in the front to set my laptop on, and to fasten a fan on it to cool me down. He also fit 12 volt accessory plugs, which run to the battery in the bus, to allow the fridge, fan and my laptop to operate.

This he did after refitting the bus and caravan, placing an exhaust fan in the bus roof to draw out the hot air, lining all the interior, making the bus and van dust proof etc.

We belong to a house-sitting site and can choose any area. We have house-sat in Townsville and Mount Isa and now are heading to Alice Springs NT for a two month house sit. How good is that? And no rent to pay!

We have just stopped at Camooweal for a cold drink at the hotel. We would stay for lunch but it is only 11am and lunch isn’t on until 12.30pm. Since we have a 12 volt fridge to keep cold, we had better keep going.

I click away with my camera and get some great shots of a few brolgas in the wet paddocks and a wedge tailed eagle that is swooping on roadkill. Hold on, the 12 volt power just cut out. Oh well, Larry will have to go back to the drawing board.

Finally found a place to stop but immediately attacked by hordes of flies. Or is that a cluster? Group? Gathering? Plethora? Swarm? Well,it is my story so I will call them a mob of flies. You must eat with your mouth and eyes closed or one will go down with the sandwich while another bites you in the eye.

We are on the road again, and oh! is it hot! By the way, Larry did fix the wiring, which had a bad connection. Just as well as it could cost us a fortune to have all this work done. However, we would need to find an available tradesperson first.

After thinking that the world was about to catch fire with this terrible heat, we have found a cool spot under shady trees. Whoops! Here comes a threatening thunder storm, so we will have to take the van into the open.

Ah! At last. We have just had a very refreshing shower in the bus. The water from our tanks is almost boiling from the road heat, so had to let it cool in the portable shower container. After welcome rain, the hot conditions are cooling, so we take a walk along a bush track.

We find a Canadian cyclist who has pitched his tent. He tells us of his ride from Darwin to Perth, across the Nullarbor, up through the centre and in only 3 months. He is almost into Queensland. What an amazing feat.

After a restful night, except when woken by loud claps of thunder and a vivid display of lightening, we are on the road towards Barkley Homestead. It was hot this morning but after a light shower of rain, it has cooled considerably.

As we travel along, there is plenty of evidence of heavy rain through the night. Just what is needed here. The highways can be cut for several days or weeks during the wet season of November to March, so it is best to always take a good supply of food and water.

After driving through flat country dotted with Mitchell grass, we have arrived at Barkly Homestead which has a caravan park, restaurant and fuel available. Due to its isolation, cost of fuel is extremely high, so we use the supplies of fuel that we carry until the next stop at The Three Ways Roadhouse, which is 180klms further on at the intersection of the Barkly and Stuart Highway.

The distance from Mount Isa to Camooweal is 188klms, Camooweal to the Qld border is 13klms, then it is about 80klms to Barkly Homestead Roadhouse.

The best time to travel through this area is during the winter months of April to late October.

By: Patricia Lilly

About the Author:

Here are ten suggestions for Australia tourist attractions that we have found to be fascinating, educational or just plain fun. Just in case you get this question the next time you play trivia: Australia is the sixth largest nation in the world. It’s smaller than Brazil and is the only continent nation that owns the entire continent. There are six states or territories in Australia: Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

Canberra Australia is the national capital of Australia, similar to Washington, D.C. in the U.S. Take in the history of this nation by visiting the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, the Australian War Memorial and the nation’s Parliament House.

Gold Coast Australia can be found in Queensland and is home of the Australian Outback Spectacular, a fantastic dinner theater. You’ll also want to check out Australia’s most favorite theme park; Dreamworld. To cool down spend the day at Wet ‘n’ Wild Water World.

Located in New South Wales, Sidney Australia is a cosmopolitan city with plenty to do. Visit Sydney Wildlife World to see and learn about Australia unique flora and fauna.

Ayers Rock Australia is a sacred landmark to the Uluru aborigines and is also the largest and most recognized monolith in the world. A visit will educate you about the role this large rock plays in the Dreamtime legend.

Adelaide Australia can be found in South Australia and offers many memorable attractions for visitors. While you’re there, visit the Adelaide Botanic Garden, the Aboriginal Art Gallery and the Adelaide Central Gallery. Take a winery tour of Aldinga Bay Winery, dine at the Aldgate Pump Hotel, and then head over to the Ambra Limoncello for a delicious after-dinner Italian lemon liqueur aperitif.

While you are in Albany Western Australia visit the historic whaling station, Whale World. There you’ll learn about the origin of the small city of less than 40,000 residents.

Probably the most interesting thing you can do when in Darwin Australia is to participate in Aquascene. Every day during high tide wild fish swarm toward shore where they allow people to hand feed them bread. Can you say “spoiled”?

On Tasmania, the island off the coast of Australia, one will find the city of Hobart. While there you’ll get a kick out of the Alpenrail Swiss Model Village and Railway. This is a large miniaturization Switzerland laid out in an area the size of two average houses.

Melbourne Australia is a modern city located in Victoria. Visitor there often visit the Aboriginal Heritage Walk where they get a real understanding of the history of this great city.

By: CL Hendricks

About the Author: