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Go Camping Fishing and 4WD Adventures : Go Camping Fishing and 4WD Adventures 105
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FACT FILE GETTING THERE Driving from Brisbane to Darwin cer tainly doesn’t require a 4WD. However, we were so pleased we had one; especially for accessing Lark Quarry, as it was only open to 4WDs at the time we visited. While we did the drive with only nine overnight stops, if time allows, consider taking at least a fortnight to really explore Queensland’s Outback towns and some more of the Nor thern Territory before arriving into Dar win. WHEN TO GO The best time to see western Queensland and the Northern Territory really is during the cooler months. Winter nights are cold, so make sure you have enough warm clothing and bedding, and the days are warm and sunny. The closer you get to Darwin, the less warm clothes and bedding you need. But you will definitely need mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Also, during the dry season in the Top End, many watering holes open up for swimming, so make sure you pack your bathers! WHERE TO CAMP All towns will have a caravan park of some description. We booked the day before, or even on the day we wanted to arrive. We did have to call around to find a spot in Mount Isa and were fortunate to secure the last available room at the Barkly Homestead. But, if you’re travelling over school holiday periods, make sure you do book in advance. We used the Wikicamps app to check reviews or check for nearby free camps. FURTHER INFORMATION For more information about these destinations visit: Roma ...................................................... www.visitmaranoa.com.au Longreach ...................................... www.longreachtourism.com.au Winton ........................................... www.experiencewinton.com.au Hughenden ........................................ www.visithughenden.com.au Richmond .....................................www.kronosauruskorner.com.au Mount Isa ................................................ www.mountisa.qld.gov.au Barkly Homestead ......................... www.barklyhomestead.com.au Devils Marbles and Mataranka Thermal Pool .................... www.northernterritory.com the softer sunrise colours on the rocks too! You’ll also be pleased if you arrive early as the campground really does get crowded! Payment is an honesty system and the only amenity is a bush toilet. With the camera packed away and the crew fed and watered, we headed north to Mataranka and the Elsey National Park – an area made famous by Jeannie Gunn’s novel We of the Never Never. We had 670 kilometres to cover, but the 130km speed limit helped put the bitumen behind us! We set up on an unpowered site at Mataranka Homestead and were only metres from the thermal pool entrance. It was a warm and relaxing way to while away the afternoon. Remember to heed all swimming advice in the Territory, otherwise you may end up as croc bait! And, we did see a freshwater crocodile at the end of the boardwalk where the thermal pool waters flow into the Roper River! As we drove our final leg to Darwin, we reminisced about our favourite spots, highlights, people we met along the way, and things we would do differently next time. And before we knew it, we could finally answer ‘are we there yet?’. We of the Never Never fame: Elsey homestead replica at the entrance to Mataranka Homestead GO CAMPING, FISHING & 4WD ADVENTURES | 57 54-57 are we there yet.indd 57 4/10/2016 4:55 pm
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Go Camping, Fishing and 4WD Adventures 104
Go Camping Fishing and 4WD Adventures 106
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