14' Series Marv_Mart-Trip to the Kimberleys 2016

Marv_mart

Marv_mart

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We have stayed at the Palm Grove 4 years ago but hard to get into, heavily booked this time of year but it does have a pool. The Cable Beach CP is very big 500+ sites, looks very grassy, shady, like this one but again probably harder to get into unless you book well in advance and has a pool. This one, the Tarangau, is known as the quiet alternative, no pool, all v. close to Cable Beach. We quite like this one, is quiet, not overly hard to get into, we only gave 2 weeks notice. All others are 2-5km away from Cable Beach. We wanted to be close to Cable Beach.
The Broome Gateway is 30km out of town, allows pets. There is another on the other side of Broome more towards the Port and the Golf Course, looked ok when driving past. Google and look at reviews left by people who have been there. Would probably choose this one again, we are pensioners and no kids so no pool didn't bother us, not as grassed as some others either but that didn't bother us. OK?
 
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Cammo

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Marv_mart said:
We have stayed at the Palm Grove 4 years ago but hard to get into, heavily booked this time of year but it does have a pool. The Cable Beach CP is very big 500+ sites, looks very grassy, shady, like this one but again probably harder to get into unless you book well in advance and has a pool. This one, the Tarangau, is known as the quiet alternative, no pool, all v. close to Cable Beach. We quite like this one, is quiet, not overly hard to get into, we only gave 2 weeks notice. All others are 2-5km away from Cable Beach. We wanted to be close to Cable Beach.
The Broome Gateway is 30km out of town, allows pets. There is another on the other side of Broome more towards the Port and the Golf Course, looked ok when driving past. Google and look at reviews left by people who have been there. Would probably choose this one again, we are pensioners and no kids so no pool didn't bother us, not as grassed as some others either but that didn't bother us. OK?
Click to expand...
Once again a comprehensive report, thank you, much appreciated.
Cammo
 
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Marv_mart

Marv_mart

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Day 16: Broome to Mary Pool
Dist: 573km, Fuel: 64.56l @ Fitzroy Crossing @ 139.9¢/l
We decided to bypass the Ngumpan Cliff (to exposed and hot) and head for Mary Pool free camp.
We had the usual creek crossings, narrow one lane bridges and rocky mountains.
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With our fair share of road works, craggy outcrops and clouds.
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We arrived at Mary Pool at about 2:00pm and found like most of these popular places, that all the good spots are taken. Mary Pool is off the main road about 500m across a crumbling ford with its share of wild life. We did find a reasonably shady spot and set ourselves up for the night.
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The cow was mooing all over the camp site looking fo it's calf, eventually found it right in the middle of the open section. Very nice spot and considering the distances between major attractions and towns along this section, Bungle Bungles, Fitz X etc, I can see why a lot of people stop here.
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Would put this on my trip plan when we come up this way again!
This remote site also has Telstra coverage, as do most spots along the Great Northern, vast improvement on our last trip this way in 2012!
Marv
 
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Marv_mart

Marv_mart

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Day 17: Mary Pool to Kununurra.
Dist: 468km Fuel: 102 l since Fitz X, Halls Ck 139.9¢/l, (16.7l/100km, fairly hilly), Kununurra 136.9¢/l (14.9l/100km)
Ms Marv was soon at it again picking out some beautiful shots as we passed through these very picturesque O' Donnell & Carr Boyd Ranges that stretch along this section of the Great Northern Highway.
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Marv had to get into the picture somehow as did this Boab!
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Pompeys Pillar looms on the horizon! Most of the rivers around here still had significant amounts of water in them.
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Finally turned onto the Victoria Highway heading east and into Kununurra.
We are staying at the same CP as on the way over, The Lakeside.
We thought we had 'booked' the site on our way across but the receptionist gave us Site 13, right next to the Gas cylinder filling station. No sooner had we set up when gas was drifting through the 'Sea Dragon' and set off our LP gas alarm. NOT ON ! Got shifted to a new site, larger and more shade as well. There would have been all sorts of strife if we were not relocated, Ms Marv is not one to cross swords with. Settled in nicely now.
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Lake Kununurra, the towns water supply abuts the CP, nearly a mirror like surface, the only ripples were two fresh water crocs drifting by. You can just see the croc in the centre of the pic!
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Well some nice Rib Eye steaks for dinner, a cool swim in the pool and settling down for the night.
Katherine tomorrow with a two day layover before heading south.
Catch y'all Tomorrow.
Marv
 
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Marv_mart

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Day 18: Kununurra to Katherine.
Dist: 520km We have to be back in Adelaide by the 26th June, so can't dilly dally - do wish we were able to spread this trip over a couple of months at least and visit some of the spots that we missed eg. Zebra Rock mine (has a CP now).
Fuel: Timber Ck (Western end pump) 161¢/l! @ 15.4l/100km (148¢/l at other pump)
Katherine 123.9¢/l @ 15.3l/100km. Should have checked Fuel Watch before we left!
Long stretches of this journey are hypnotically mesmerizing but interspersed with some fantastic, colourful rocky outcrops of the Spencer, Pinkerton, Stokes and Moray Ranges certainly makes this an interesting drive.
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The Victoria River has a significant present throughout this region.
We passed the Bradshaw Bridge, just before Victoria River Roadhouse, and realized too late that it would have been a fantastic photo opportunity.
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Sorry about the smudge on that one, Marv's fault for not cleaning the windscreen properly at Timber Creek.
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Thought I would finish with these two full shots!
There were lots of cattle being herded along the roadside heading west. We passed two big mobs with 3-4 drovers on horseback keeping them off the road. They really appreciated drivers slowing down.
We also noticed a HUGE (lots & lots) of vans and campers (GGR?) heading west, sometimes in groups of 6 or more with a dominance of new or almost new rigs, some seemed huge by our little 14.44-5 Expanda standard.
They surely keep the Kimberleys ticking over! The tourism season is really kicking off especially with school holidays coming up. Nearly all CPs are full and would require booking in advance if you are not free camping.
Keep your Camps8 and WikiCamps handy! Even the Free camp sites seem to fill up if you don't get there before about 3:00pm WA time unless you are really going off track and into the bush.
We have not stopped anywhere yet, even Mary Pool where access to the Internet has not been available. There certainly are dead spots though once you are on the Victoria Highway.
We also know that there is no access at Attack Ck tomorrow.
We picked up some weather reports for spots on our way south, Hail in Alice Springs??, most of the tracks with heavy rain! (stranded campers anyone?). You will need to check your routes carefully if you are heading up this way soon. Every thing across the top, Victoria Hwy and the Great Northern Hwy has been dry though even if a bit on the warmish side (32°+ each day, 23°+ each night).
Attack Ck (47km Nth of Three ways) tomorrow and then onto Alice springs for 2 days.
Catch up with you then.
Marv
 
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Marv_mart

Marv_mart

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Day 19: Katherine. Just vegetating with stubby in hand in the nice shady site at the Boab CP.
Slight coolish breeze blowing past, watching some very big Rigs even towing a 4x4 arriving.
How do they get into some parks I have no idea.
Started a new thread '10 must haves when ordering a 14.44-5 OB' but of course there are many things Expandites might want in a list such as this that are not specifically for the 14.44-5 but are must haves that would be do-able on this small Expanda.
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/ten-must-haves-when-ordering-a-14-44-5-ob.9033/
Join in by all means.
 
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seanparky

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Aesome report. So wish i was ready to do this trip. Quick question how did your van go with dust getting in or have you fitted a cab pressuriser
 
Marv_mart

Marv_mart

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Day 20: Katherine to Attack Creek
Dist: 604km
Fuel: Hi-Way Inn 137.9¢/l @ 15.9 l/100km. Will top up again when we reach Tennant Creek another 75km down the road. Three Ways fuel is about 30¢/l dearer than at TC
1. Charles Todd Memorial. Todd is a famous pioneer who was significant in building the Nth Sth telegraph system, managed the PO in Adelaide (gave it the first Elect light in public buildings in Adelaide, significant contributor to the establishment of Adelaide Oval, Aust telegraph and postal communications systems plus.....
2. The first and only 'Big Rock' that Ms Marv could find approaching Attack Creek
3. Finally set up,at Attack creek
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4 Monument to Constable John Shirley, died in a 'skirmish' with the locals, 1883
5 Memorial to John Stuart and his expedition (one of many along the Stuart Highway) when the hostile natives forced them to turn back to the South in 1860, hence Attack Ck
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6, 7 A very interesting story surrounding the pioneers who worked in this area trying to put thru the overland telegraph. Enlarge the pics to read the full story!
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Free camping doesn't mean you have to miss out on the nice things in life, a bottle of wine, nice company, nice food! The sunsets up here are also unbelievable.
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Well off to Alice Springs tomorrow, will see how I go in making the journey with no fuel top-ups after Tennant Ck!
We followed a large convoy of V8 Super car Pantechnicons coming back from the race meeting in Darwin over the day including an A-B Double fuel tanker carrying 'Super' fuel,used by the cars during the race, special controlled formula I believe. All the major teams were there, I bet the drivers weren't in the trucks! All seemed heading to Alice Springs and then apparently through Broken Hill to the east. The next race is in Townsville in early July.
Also passed through the local community where Jake Neade, Port Power up and comer was born.
Carn the Pear!
 
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Marv_mart

Marv_mart

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Day 21: Winter Solstice! Attack Ck to Alice Springs
Dist: 585km, Fuel: Tennant Ck 138.5¢/l @ 16.6l/100 km & Alice Springs (made it!) 121.9¢/l @ 15.1l/100km
1 The gap approaching Tennant Ck
2 The Ghan track heading south from Darwin to Alice Springs and 3, Loooooong stretches of straight roads!
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4 Ahah, Ms Marv found some outcrops of lumpy things to photo graph heading into TiTree
5 The old telegraph station at Barrow Ck, one of many of these relay station being restored.
They tell a very interesting story of our pioneer days.
Telegraphers used to sit in these lonely outposts, listen to the Morse sent to them and retap the signals onto the next station. Tough times!
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More knobs? And long straight stretches of road!
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Decided to call into Aileron and have a rest break.
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The brass/Iron? sculpture of a woman, child and Goanna are probably more impressive than the man on the hill.
Very clever way of attracting tourists off the Stuart and get them to top up with fuel here, visit the Art Gallery and refuel the tummy.
11 Passing the Tropic of Capricorn, significant as we passed through about midday on June 21st, the Winter Solstice!
12, 13 Finally coming into Alice Springs, this is the first time we have come in from the North!
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So many vans coming up from the south (to escape the cold and wet?) many from SA.
So many are new or near new vans as well. The manufacturers must be rejoicing!
8 or more 5th Wheelers as well, some really huge.
Mobile coverage leaves a lot to be desired once we left the Grand Northern Hwy in WA compared to 'no service' along most of the Victoria Hwy and the Stuart Hwy. There are the exceptional spots specifically tagged for mobile usage with a satellite dish but you need to stop in the small patch of road to use it. Will be interesting to see if this changes once we cross into SA. In WA, Telstra have piggy backed onto the Micro wave relay dishes or installed their own towers along the GN Hwy to give fairly good coverage nearly all the way but not here.
Next stop probably Agnes Creek FC then Coober Pedy and Woomera.
Will catch up probably when we reach Coober Pedy.
Cheers, Marv
 
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