Took photos of “Krys” the 8.63m replica of the biggest crocodile ever caught. Checked with the council office as to the road conditions and advice on way to get to Peninsula Development Road. One of the ways that the Information Office told us, the river was too high to cross, so only 2 options open, instead of 3. Uploaded travelblogs before we left town. Went to Karumba and looked around. Saw an Ulti at Sunset Caravan Park - they waved. Took a long time at the souvenir shop, for Kate to choose her purchase, finally. On way out of town we topped up with fuel and got icy poles. Drove along Burke Development Road for 230km and watched some branding at Dunbar Station. We took the turnoff for Kowanyama & camped by the Mitchell River. The ... read more

Fuelled up and drove to Winton, stopped for a hat pin for Alex and while Kate was trying to choose a glass heart keyring, bumped into Richard and Di (the Ulty owners from Townsville). They are camped out at Bladensburg NP right by the river. Followed them out of town and set up - beautiful. There were other kids swinging on a river and jumping in the river. Kate and Alex looked on dubiously until Alex finally plucked up the courage. He loved it. Kate decided to swing, but not go in the water, so only had her t-shirt and shorts on. She let go of the stick to readjust, and fell like a stone into the water. Screamed her head off, it was pretty cold and she didn’t want to get wet. I was so ... read more

Packed up camp and on recommendation went to the Working Museum at Birdsville. A real character ran a show on all the machines from 1970’s back to the 1800’s. Old fridges, washing machines, carbine lamp, old irons, huge biscuit tins, when you bought then by weight. It was mind boggling. Met two other Ultimate Campers and their owners, both were heading in different directions. The racetrack is just all dirt, but the Birdsville Races attract around 5,000 people come September. Apparently you have to queue for fuel when it is time to leave. Left late morning and stopped at Chubby Creek for lunch. Continued on the road - it is a really good road, fresh crushed rock and being graded. Unfortunately when someone passed you, depending on the wind, you got covered in dust and couldn’t ... read more

Well, we got away a bit later than expected, but made good time. We stayed at Poplitah Lake Rest Area for the first night (137km’s south of Broken Hill). Saw lots of wild goats along the way. The kids made “seed” notes in their diary and after we set up they wrote in their journals - even though not much to write about, except the boring scenery. The Nintendo’s got a workout. After tea, Alex read to himself and Kate read to Rod, whilst Gill had to do dishes (some things never change). A chapter of Deltora Quest was read to both of them, before Gill fell into bed for a well earned sleep. There is a new mine opened up just down the road and the road trains were going backwards and forwards all night ... read more

We drove inland through Donnybrook (apple country), Bridgetown and Manjimup. Stopped at Diamond Tree - 52m high with a lookout on top. Unfortunately raining and 5.30pm so we didn’t climb it. Continued to Pemberton and camped at Big Brook Arbitorium. It had rained most of the way down and we had to set up in the rain. After Kate’s swag was done, we decided that it was too wet for the kids, with water running in streams along the ground. So we grabbed Kate’s doona and pillow and set ourselves up in the King size bed with 2 Queen Doonas and 3 pillows between 4 of us. It was very snug and poor Rod got kicked and elbowed by Alex. We found out that besides snoring, Alex also grinds his teeth. Kate grinds her teeth a ... read more