Continued through to Manning Gorge, got there on dark and didn’t see the signs to say “Coach Parking Only” and we parked in that section. Oh well, we weren’t the only ones. Two other cars that broke down on way to Mitchell Falls arrived after us. Went to do the walk to Manning Gorge and the Falls. The path was overgrown and the only other way was to swim across to the other side and then walk. 8am was too early for a swim and only 18°C. Skipped it and drove to King Leopold Conservation Park. Went into Bell Gorge (and saw another Ulty). It was a 3km round trip. Nice walk, but rocky. You walk into the gorge, cross the river at the top of the falls, climb the rocks on the other side and ... read more

Drove to Wyndham to get our mail that Mum had Express Post to us. Took a photo of the Cyclone Status Sign. Have a few in the area. Stayed at the Caravan Park and they had a friendly Bush Donkey in residence. Actually standing in one of the sites when we arrived. The kids had fun feeding him scraps. They are very casual in Wyndham. They said yep, $26 for the night, wont charge for the kids. Drive around the corner and pick a site. So we did. Had a tractor towing a caravan opposite (part of a convention). There was a giant Boab Tree at the park, over 2000 years old. Went to the wharf and 5 rivers lookout. Drove to Kununurra Information Centre. Booked a 6am flight over the Bungle Bungles and our accommodation ... read more

Booked the car in (for Friday) at ARB for a snorkel as the air filter was getting dirty and we had lots of dirt roads to go. Got an 8 stage battery charger as we could not get enough charge into the camper battery, the car alternator is 80amp so we may look at increasing its size maybe with a Landcruiser alternator if it fits. At the moment the alternator is trying to run (i) the car battery; (ii) camper battery; (iii) camper fridge; (iv) battery pack. It’s just not coping. We will see how it goes. Saw East Point Reserve and Military Museum where Darwin set up to protect during WWII. The cost of the guns and in the end were sold to the Japanese for scrap metal for 20% of the price. Darwin was ... read more

Sunday morning and yes we all went to a market (can’t get homesick that way). Todd Street Mall is transformed into a market with imported, craft, veggies and Aboriginal Art. Had lunch at Botanical Gardens - lots of wattles, very dry. Saw Anzac Hill, views all over Alice. Had an easy afternoon by the pool - kids’ choice instead of Desert Park. Went to Post Office first thing to collect replacement spas for kids’ swags. Got yoga matting to replace cardboard on rear windscreen. Filled up fuel and headed North. Went past Tropic of Capricorn marker. Ti Tree for lunch. Stopped at Wycliffe Well, the UFO capital. Arrived at Devils Marbles at 4pm and it was already busy. Indigenous Ranger talk and watched a DVD. Found out how to find a Witchetty Grub (Alex is psyching ... read more

We got to the Toyota dealership in Alice Springs and paid for the replacement rear windscreen $796 (thanks for coming) and arranged to drop the car off on Thursday morning to be fixed. We walked into Alice town centre whilst the car was being fixed and we bumped into Amy & Owen (met them at Chambers Pillar, they are from Berwick) - they were waiting for replacement clutch, which broke in Alice Springs and were waiting for parts to arrive. Picked up car and got cardboard to cover new rear windscreen. Went to see School of Air - very interesting. Bought groceries, did washing - boring. Kids had a swim in pool at Caravan Park. Got to 27° again today. Getting warmer. Headed out to East Macdonell Ranges, set up camp at Trephina Gorge. Went to ... read more