On the Road Again..

 Good-bye to our little Alice home.

Day 1

We left Alice on Tuesday and got back on the Stuart Hwy and headed North towards Darwin, it was a great feeling to be on the road again, although we weren’t sure how the car would go, it had only driven short distances in Alice!

We aimed to get to the Devil’s Marbles  (which is about 400 kms from Alice) to stay the night , we were excited that Megan and Stuart were on the road with us because we got to use our UHF radio to talk to them, although they did overtake us early on.

We stopped for lunch with them at Barrow Creek which is a very small town on the side of the highway,they have a heap of memorabilia, pictures, notes and clothes stuck on the walls, it's a pub with a lot of character!

I asked if we could write on the wall and the local bar man/comedian was happy to lend us a red texta so we could leave our mark, it did feel a little naughty writing on the wall, but we are glad we left our mark!

After a beer and a quick bite to eat it was off to the Devil’s Marbles for sunset.

We were surprised how close the marbles were to the freeway, it was a great sight driving in to see massive round rocks just stacked on top of each other!

We had passed the tropic of capricorn earlier in the day and it was much hotter than Alice already, when we arrived at the marbles in the afternoon it was 32 degrees, so we set up camp and paid our $7.00 fee, (to the honesty box) which we thought was pretty good and after the boy’s collected some firewood for dinner we headed off to get some sunset pictures!

The views here are amazing and we got a bit snap happy, although trying to get the perfect shot whilst having locusts flying into you is a little annoying!

Our favourite photo so far:

When we were all pictured out Stuart and Megan cooked an amazing stir fry for tea, and again it was another great night around the camp fire, we even had marshmallows. 

We are noticing a lot more bugs here and we are sure we ate a few in our dinner, for a couple who usually hates bugs I think we have come to realize that we have to put up with them or  we will go crazy!

Be aware there is only one toilet at the devils marbles and there were a heap of people there including a school group that managed to stink out the already stinky hole in the ground, it was vomit worthy!

Day 2

We got up extremely early today to see the sunrise and even Brenton managed to get up for 15 minutes to watch it, it was great to see the rocks change colour so quickly, there were lots of others up early including a heap of rock wallabies.

Brenton tried to go back to sleep but we annoyed him enough that he got up and we were on the road by 8 am.

The car playing tricks on us!

Our aim for the day was to find water so we could swim and when we looked on the map and thought Daly waters sounded inviting so that was our aim. It was about 490 kms from the devils marbles and after a quick stop in Tennant Creek to get some meat it was straight to Daly Waters.

We got there in the afternoon and realized very quickly it’s not called Daly Waters for the abundance of water around in fact there was none, besides a pool that we were very grateful for as it was pushing 39 degrees when we got there.

It is well worth stopping in very small town of only 12 people, you can check out the old post office, swim in the pool or wander around the huge pub that is attached to the camp ground. The pub, like many in small towns is covered in photo’s, writing, bra’s and other pieces of clothing, even a thong (flip-flop) shrine in the beer garden.

We decided to have the famous Beef and Barra meal that they offer and after being in the pool for 3 hours we were hanging for a big feed, and it was great, the barramundi was amazing!

After that we moved out the front and chatted with the locals, Brenton played a bit of guitar with other travellers, everyone here is so friendly, Daly Waters has very relaxed vibe and we found out you can get a house and land here on a huge block for $30,000, maybe it is worth living in the middle of no where!

Brenton entertaining the locals!

Day 3

Once again due to the heat and squawking birds we were up early and looking forward to our short drive to Mataranka, which is famous for it’s thermal pools and springs.

We got there about 10:30am and checked into a powered site next to Megan and Stuart at 'The Mataranka Homestead Resort', which is off to the right just before you enter the town.

We so were so excited, the place was a tropical paradise in the middle of the desert!

We ate our big breakfast, settled in and headed to the thermal pool that is in the resorts backyard!

So amazing, I know I use that word a lot but it is, the water was so clear and fresh, only problem was that the water temperature is about 30 degrees all year round, and when it’s 38 degrees outside you prefer something a bit cooler to jump into!

We sat for ages amongst the shade of the palm trees, we had it to ourselves in the morning because we were there early after a short drive, but by mid afternoon the place was as busy as bourke st!

We headed back for some chips and dips and noticed all the wildlife that had come out since we left! There were peacocks out the back of our van, the male one even had his tail open!! I was in awe at the colour of him, although the females didn’t seem too impressed with him. A wallaby also came out at the same time and was looking for a pat and no doubt some food, we have been making sure not to feed the animals but after a lady threw a piece of bread at Brenton he couldn’t resist!

This one is for you Mum, the spiders over the pool! xx

There are birds galore here and as great as it is the downfall is the ants!!
 They are very tiny and get into anything and everything, they took over Megan and Stuarts tent and there was no food in it at all, they also attacked our peanut butter but didn’t want the jam or the honey!? It did take us a while to get them under control and as long as you have a nice big can of flyspray you will be fine!

The boys had big plans of catching barra and after going to the resort pub to watch the footy they made there way through the forest area to drop in a nest to catch some bait, us girls decided to stay back as we had seen a croc earlier that day on the riverbed across from where they were putting the net in.

We are very glad we stayed behind because apparently the place was full of cane toads, frogs, bugs and a heap of spiders!!

Day 4

We loved Mataranka so much we booked for 2 days, thank god, there is a lot to see and do here, plus the doggies were playing Sydney in the finals so the boys were keen to stay somewhere with a big TV!

We went back to get the trap in the morning to have a swim but they only had one little cherobin, like  a yabby in the net.

We swam in the thermal pool, it was so early we had it all to ourselves, so lovely. Then we got dressed and headed out to Bitter springs which is only 15 minutes away from town and another sort  of thermal stream but more natural than our pool, no concrete sides!

Us at bitter springs.

It was  a bit cooler at bitter springs but still a bit too warm to say it was  a relief from the heat, still it was better in than out!

After that it was into town for a few supplies and then dinner before the game.

We sat with about 30 others watching the football and most were following Sydney so we were very happy that the bulldogs won! 

Went to have a quick shower before bed to get all the sweat off and found a heap of frogs living in the showers! Toads and green tree frogs so I grabbed one to show everyone else, he was so cute!

Passing my new friend to Stu.

Much cuter than the cane toad this local happily showed us:

We had a big brekkie and said goodbye to Mataranka the next day, although it was sad to leave this little paradise, can definitely recommend the Mataranka homestead, toilets and showers are not 5 star but it makes up for it in other ways, about $30 a night and you have the thermal spring right out your backyard!

Next stop Katherine!

xxxxxx

Our Time In Alice

We are now on our way to Darwin so I thought I would do one last blog about things we have done in Alice Springs and then it will be all new places and adventures!

Alice Springs Reptile Centre:


We had a great time here, we walked around having a look at some of Australia's most dangerous snakes, they have 18 of the top 20 most venomous snakes here, we also got to see a croc, listened to a talk about reptiles and even got to hold some of the stars of the show!

Simpsons Gap:

Just the other day we visited Simpsons Gap, which is only about 20 minutes from Alice, is was an extremely windy day and a little overcast but it didn't stop us getting some great shots.

Brent getting sand out of his shoe!

It's only a short walk to Simpsons Gap from the car park so it doesn't take all day.

On the way home we saw this little fella on the middle of the road!

We didn't want to hit him so we stopped and I got out to get him off the road but only made matters worse when he ran under our tyre!

We got a stick and flicked him off then were on our way again, minus the lizard!

Gigs In Alice:

We were lucky enough to get a few paid gig’s on Alice which was exciting.

Our first gig was at ‘The Rock Bar’ in town,  the owner Dom was a great guy who was very passionate about live music and put us on without even hearing us!

Apart from The Rock bar we also played at a backpackers called ‘Annie’s Place’ which was a great little bar with vintage lounges and old movie posters all over the walls, there were about 200 people there, including about 15 of our friends but it was such a great night, plenty of people up dancing!

Direct from???

We also had an article in the  Advocate newspaper about us:

So now that we have an article and have played a few gigs we are hoping to do a few more, who knows it might even pay our way around!

Desert Park

We made sure before we left Alice we visited the Desert Park which is only 15 minutes from town.

We got there about 9:30 am because we heard there was a bird show on at 10 a.m and you get to see them  feed the eagles and hawks, it was great, they even an owl in the show!

You can walk around the park at your time but we decided to spend the morning doing a few of the talks and then spend the afternoon just looking around at our own pace.

The next show we went to was the nocturnal animal talk which was very interesting but you go into a VERY dark enclosure at one stage and unless you’re a nocturnal animal yourself you can hardly see!

A few of the friendly animals in the nocturnal house!

From there it was straight to the ‘Desert’ area for a talk with a local Aboriginal woman about how they survive in the bush, a few of the tools they use and the food they eat, we even had a look at a big fat witchetty grub that they eat, not sure I could stomach it unless I was desperate, but the honey ant I may be able to handle, after that talk we were left to our own devices and we put on our special head set and wandered around to check out the wildlife.

Cheeky little bird.

They have a heap of bird aviaries at the park and some you can even go into, Brenton and I went into one and had a little friend who was very interested in our shoelaces, he was very  cheeky!

We are lucky enough to be in Alice to see the wildflowers coming out, an amazing sight in a place that is considered the desert!

There is even one type of wildflower which smells like chocolate, it was so yummy you would think it was edible!

The chocolate bush, yum!

We also met some red kangaroo’s that didn't seem too enthused about anything, it’s a great walk around as you experience all types of habitats and the audio they give you is very informative, we didn’t leave until about 3:30 p.m and on the way out we even got noticed by one of the workers who had seen us play at Annie’s, it was great feeling famous for a whole five minutes!

FOOTY IN ALICE:

We found out one of the guys from the caravan park played footy in Alice so we decided to go along with our other travelling friends to watch him in action, it was the grand final and the Federals (the team our mate played for) were playing Santa Teresa, a community footy team.

As Brenton and I were walking into the ground we noticed a HEAP of Police cars, about 8 of them and we had to be metal detected before we got in, which seemed slightly odd to us but after we got in and caught up with our friends we found out the teams that played before us got in a huge fight and a policeman was stabbed, as well as a spectator and a 14yr old umpire was bashed! In Melbourne the whole footy would have been cancelled, but not in Aice they just played on!
It was a good game but unfortunately the feds lost by 7 points! 
It’s a great ground with lovely views of the ranges in the back.

STORMS IN ALICE

The weather was fine most of the time in Alice but we did get a few nasty storms, this is one we photographed happening on the top of Anzac Hill , it came over so quickly, we even got soaked running back to the car!

HENLEY ON TODD:

We were asked by my boss at Priceline to work and hand out sunscreen at the infamous dry river bed race, “The Henley On Todd regatta”, it was a great opputunity to go have a look for free and all we did was sit the suncreen on a table and let people apply themselves, then took in the sights.

We did have rain a few days before and were worried that it might be a real boat race! But the weather must have known and it ended up beng a scorching day!

The races were hilarious, I liked the mouse wheel one the bext, it must have been tough the sand was so thick!

The homemade boats were also funny though and a few people stacked it and although we found it very amusing Im sure it would have hurt!

Our German friend Kai slacking off!

At the end three big ships that are on cars and tanks come out to fight, they have water and flour bombs and try to destroy each other, it was funny to watch but even the crowd copped the flour all over them!

It was a great day and Im glad to be able to say we experienced it!

ALICE SPRINGS BIKE RALLY:

The last weekend in Alice there was a Harley Davidson Rally and the town was a buzz with bikies from all round, we heard they were riding through a pub in town and decided to check it out. 

We got to Bojangles and the street was lined with fancy bikes, even one with a dog as a sidekick! 
Then we went to get a spot inside to watch the action happen, it was so loud in there, and the bikes were flying through and even doing burnouts, our friend Megan even managed to get herself on the back of a bike!

At the end we had to leave because the whole place filled with smoke from burnouts and you couldn’t see let alone breathe!

ALICE MARKETS:

I loved the Alice markets on every second Saturday, even when it was wet every one was out in force! Brenton loved the food!

FRIENDS IN ALICE:

We have been so lucky to make a heap of friends in Alice, most of them I met working and they became our band cheer squad, showing up to nearly every gig!

We hit the town and went to parties and had a great time!

Nicole and I

Me and the hot work girls!

Our cheer squad!

At Bojangles.

Kay's daughter little Abby, so cute!!

Our cheer squad at Annies Place

We also made some friends at the caravan park, two other young couples who are also travelling Oz, Carly and Jake who have been in Alice since March and Stuart (A bulldogs supporter) and Megan who arrived 10 days before we left.

After Jakes football game they also game to watch us that night at Annie’s and then the night after, even though we were a little hungover we cooked dinner for them at the carvan park, morrocan chicken with coconut rice, whilst we shared experiences about what we had done and where we were heading!

We were excited to learn that Stuart and Megan were leaving on the same day as us and we were heading the same way so decided to do it together, we are even going to catch up with them in Darwin for the footy Grand final and the Powder finger concert!

It was sad to say goodbye to all our new friends  although we know we will catch up with many of them again on the road.


Goodbye Alice! xxx