Outback Adventures: Savannah Way - Karumba to Katherine Gorge

The day is finally here! Dez has dreamed, read, and planned for this moment. So goodbye Karumba and hello Savannah Way.

Are we ready to tackle this outback challenge? Hope so.......

First things first...air down the tyres...it's gunna be rough!

Miles and miles - well kilometres - of red, red dust and brain shattering corrugations.

You can't see the bumps, but man oh man! They are there.

Day one survived and fuelled up at Gregory Downs.

OUCH!

Camp spot for the night on the Gregory River. It is a free camp that you are not supposed to camp at. Signs from the Council advising " no camping in river bed". Funny 'bout that 'cos everyone seems to be down there?!?! It was heaven after the rough dusty day!

ONE: set up camp and collect some fresh, cool water. We are drinking gallons of the stuff.

TWO: Pour a drink (it's drink o'clock by this stage of course), and get settled in the water. Heaven!

THREE: Enjoy the birdlife. These little crimson finches were everywhere, and so tiny. And wallabies, of course.

FOUR: Enjoy the serenity.....until 5.30 in the morning when the water truck comes to fill up ggggrrrrrr!

DAY TWO. Gregory River to Lorne Hill National Park.

Another day of amazing country, red dust and teeth rattling road!

But then you arrive at paradise. We stayed at Adele's Grove, and it was beautiful. Because it is the end of the "season" there is plenty of room in the camps now, so happy days.

Well earned rest!

Plenty of elbow room :)

This swimming area was heaven! Right in front of the camp.

Up bright and early next day to explore Lorne Hill Gorge by canoe. Dez very excited about rowing me about?!?!

The beauty of this place speaks for itself......

Had a swim at this spot...heaven! But sadly can't stay forever. Time to tackle the next stage of the Savannah Way to Kingfisher Camp, about 150 klm. Doesn't sound too far to go? Knock it over in no time? Yeah, right. Better part of the day to travel this section. Dezzi wanted outback adventure, and he got it ha!

It is heartbreaking to see the drought out here. This is a common sight....cattle with no food, sitting in the dirt.

Well, we thought yesterday was rough! Ha! Not only is the road a challenge, Bevy had to keep getting out in the dust to open and close farm gates! I have discovered bull dust doubles as a great fake tan on your legs ha ha!

Making sure everything is holding together...so far....so good.

Just us and the horizon!

Finally arrived at Kingfisher Camp, and saw the most amazing sight. They had green grass! This camp is situated on Nicholson River, and was pretty full. But no swimming :( beware the crocodiles!

The water for the property is pumped from the river so no restrictions on use. Bloody marvellous! We can wash some of the dust away!

Wonderful peaceful night. No road trains, no dogs, no air conditioner compressors. Feeling ready to tackle another bone crunching day.....almost!

So it's Friday the thirteenth and our first destination is Hell's Gate!!!!

This sign on the counter at the roadhouse! Had brekky here...of sorts. For your dining pleasure a cup of instant coffee and a microwave pastie, and old mate that thought we were his new best friends!

92 klm rough road drive for that? It was very funny. Apparently the name Hell's Gate was given to this spot way back in the early 1800's when the Aboriginals would only guide people to this spot going west to Katherine. And the people never came back, so it was said they went to Hell, hence this was Hell's Gate!

Next stop Borroloola, just 315 klm down the road, and crossing into,the Northern Territory.

Nothing like a bit of graffiti to smarten up the sign?

Rough as it is, the country is spectacular. Complete with river - or maybe puddle - crossings.

I wasn't getting out...a crocodile might get me!

About 150klm out of Borroloola the brakes to the van stopped working. Luckily not too many downward hills, but there are lots of dips in the road. Tested Dezziz driving skills, but all went O.K.

When we got to Borroloola we found a nice patch of dry grass in the blazing sun so Dez could make repairs. The wiring had broken. So handy my Dezzi!

It pays to pack all the tools required!

Made camp at a roadside stop just the other side of Cape Crawford. A massive day. About 450 klm and 350 klm of "challenge"! BUT WE DID IT! The damage tally.....breaks (fixed), a broken draw in the kitchen (fixed), dust everywhere, and I mean every nook and cranny (cleaned- well enough for now). And not even a broken egg, or bottle of wine ha ha !

Roadside stop. Hit the bitumen again at Borroloola. It seemed soooooo quiet!

Next stop Daly Waters Pub. The most "interesting" place ever. Had the best brekky here. Still no Aussies behind the bar though!

There are collections of bras, money, thongs, shirts, business cards, hats, junk, crap, memorabilia, you name it, it's hanging on a wall somewhere. You don't know where to look!

This is one serve of damper toast (which was sooooo yummy) with a selection of spreads! Think she brought me the whole pantry.

The things you see.

Next stop Mataranka for the night. We camped at Bitter Springs - lovely - and hot. So the springs down the road were a welcome sight. Sorry, no photo, didn't take the camera.