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Thursday 29 May 2014

WUNARA STORE, BARKLY Hwy NT

 The journey from Camooweal into the NT and then on to the Three Ways Roadhouse, where we will turn Nth towards Darwin, is close to 450 kms, so at least 2 overnight stops will be necessary. We rarely travel more than 150 to 200 kms in a single day, as it is often hot and we are in no hurry. We chose a new venue for our sleepover this trip, an abandoned old Wunara General Store nestled in a small clearing just off the Barkly Hwy. The old, broken down, establishment was something to explore and try to visualize the way it must have once been when in operation. Since there appears to be absolutely no hint of any kind of community for many kilometres in every direction, it is indeed hard to see how anyone would expect to have made this place viable.












Swallow's nests in the roof each having a straw nesting place inside



The Olde Dunny






Bumwiperum plentii  also very common in NT



THE BILLABONGS at CAMOOWEAL Qld

 Camooweal is the farthest town west in Qld, when travelling along this route and consequently is a popular recuperation point before completing the crossing over the NT only border, 30 kms further on. The river and associated Billabongs, are but a kilometre or so from the sleepy hamlet, with it's Pub, General Store and Roadhouse.
  What a difference I found, when compared to my last visit, then a dry river bed with a myriad of flies. This time, the river was flowing and the Billabongs were filled, covered with water lilies of white and mauve and surrounded by a bird filled tree line, while water birds like the Brolgas strutted in the shallows. To top this off we were greeted immediately on our arrival by a herd of Stock Horses, mostly Mares and Fouls, that inquisitively eyed off the Motorhomes, at times even peering inside for a look. Needless to say, staying here for a few days whilst waiting for the others would be easy to take. There are many photos below and I hope that you too can enjoy as we did.
(Click on a Photo to enlarge)

A welcome greeting from the local Horses on our arrival!





















We were treated to a wonderful show of Lilies and daily visits from the abundant Birdlife