Pine Creek - Darwin - Litchfield - Timber Creek

Hello All
I'm still around........I was just having a couple of lazy weeks in Darwin not doing too much at all.
I am currently in Timber creek heading across to the West.
The North is experiencing an unusual Hot humid dry season, and it has only started to become a little bit normal now I am approaching the WA border.
Wangi Falls in Litchfield for example was 37c down to 21c at night, usually you get nice cool nights, and 32c days up here during the dry season.

Wangi falls Litchfield National Park

 Unfortunately there was a wildfire in the area, and apart from the terrible smoke problem Tolmer Falls and Lost City were closed.

 Photography was subsequently pretty poor due to the thick smoke.

Wangi Falls

Camp sites were at a premium and even if you got in early and got a large site, you were sharing it with a couple of other camp by evening.

Blythe Outstation

I did get in to Blythe Outstation which I believe was also closed due to the wildfire later that day.

Blythe Outstation

 While there a vehicle arrived transporting the last remaining (of 14) children, the 89 year old daughter of the original settlers. This was a special experience to be there and meet her.

The last Of the Sargent Children

 From there it was onward towards WA.

Now......I am perplexed with the stupidity I witness every day...........................yesterdays example deserves a special mention.
Camped up at Victoria River Roadhouse, in comes a Prado and Coromel Caravan about 2.30pm..............so far so good.
After 3 laps of the campground a site is chosen.............out comes the step and get set up

OH NO the shade up here moves!!!!!!!!!!!!

3 Times that poor bloke was made to move the caravan by his wife chasing the shade.
note - they were on a powered site and had airconditioning I might add

FFS you are not choosing where to spend the rest of your life Luvvy just an overnight camp

They finally settled on a place nicely sideways, taking up 2 powered sites, then out came the satellite dish which the guy struggled to tune for over an hour and a half!!!!!!!!!!!!

5.30pm came and he was finished.................................

Really......................stay home and let the people who want to be here enjoy it.

NEWSFLASH  the Outback is hot has flies, water is scarce and there is dust  HELLO

Ok I have had my whinge for this posting. I am heading into Keep River and Lake Argyle before hitting Kununurra, where I hope to head out to a special spot off the beaten track to try to escape the throng of caravans the size of inner city apartments jamming up every carpark, campsite and rest area all over the North
Bye for now

Boroloola to Pine Creek

Hello all
Leaving Boroloola it was back on the dirt after a short stretch on tar.
Two years ago, when I did this same road, these was only one other camp at Butterfly Springs, this time these was 25 other camps.

Butterfly Springs

 I skipped Lorella Springs this time, as they have priced themselves out of the market for the budget traveller..
 

Butterfly Springs

Next stop was Towns River crossing which was a lot rougher two years ago. A new concrete causeway has been built.

Towns River

 It was here i saw a fairly scrawny Dingo wandering around the camp area in the middle of the day.

Towns River

 Overnighting at Tomato Island I made the discovery, I was getting critically low on vital supplies (chocolate).
 

Roper Bar

So after a stop at Roper Bar it was off to Matarranka for a soak in the hot springs.

Roper Bar

 If you are one of the 1200 people per month currently viewing my website, and contemplating a trip up North......................don't.................stay home................it's full !!!!!!!!

 Yesterday in Katherine, I have never seen it so busy......I have been through Katherine at least a dozen times.
There were no sites available at all...........powered or unpowered and there must have been 70 vans, campers etc in the carpark opposite Woolworths stocking up and hoping to stay.
I have heard stories of people queuing at 9am to try to get a site at Edith Falls, and heard of people having to camp in the carparks at Litchfield as the campgrounds are full to overflowing.
It must be a dream commute to work in Melbourne and Sydney at the moment as everyone is up here.
 I am heading to Darwin for a week, then have bay number 39 booked in the carpark at Litchfield before heading over towards Kununurra.
Bye for now