Monday 13^th July

Today we had decided to drive to a free camp called The Pebbles just past Tennant Creek so we set off early for a rather long drive. After leaving Alice Springs the vegetation is starting to change and Mez’s comment “ a new sort of nothingness” summed it up.

Our view of the landscape for hours at a time

Typical outback at the moment but its starting to change

 – more colour and much denser.

Stopped at Ti Tree and made brekkie just 195kms down the road. Not much here but a well needed walk around. After Ti Tree went through familiar named towns of Singleton and Wauchope.

Next stop The Devils Marbles aka Karlu Karlu. 

Lucky to get this shot as I set the camera up in a bush and the wind kept moving it - have heaps of pics(without people) so Spurry or Kim if you need them for your art classes just yell.

Unique rock formations

We were so lucky to have pulled up next to a lovely couple that were driving south. They were telling us that our free camp spot at the Pebbles was down a 6km very rough dirt track so we have decided to push on further and stay at Banga Banga Station about 100km north of Tennant Creek. Also picked their brain for somewhere to buy bike parts and they mentioned a garage to go to in Tennant Creek as the owner was a great bloke and very helpful, if anyone would know he would.

Before we left the Marbles I want to share with you guys a rig that we have run into a few times along the way. They are travelling from down Victoria way and heading north like us. They are a family with 2 young girls probably between 8 and 10/11. They are taking the kids out of school for 12 months. We have met a few families that are doing similar trips - what a life experience. 

So off we went to Tennant Creek with mixed feelings about this town as we had a very mixed review from people but mostly – “don’t stay there”.

Along the straight stretches of road you come across fields of small earth mounds that look like ant hills( and I have found out that they are ant or termite hills) and people have taken to dressing these in hats, scarves, shirts all forms of attire which are very funny and gives you something to look at besides the norm.

Many pics of termite hills. I am absolutely amazed at the number of these mounds everywhere 

Found the petrol station and the helpful guy and were sent to a shop in the main street that sells some bike parts. Driving into the main street was quite an experience, found the shop across the road from a VERY rough looking pub that was surrounded by not so very friendly indigenous. Lucky they had a tube to fit, now all I have to do is fit it – not so easy a task seeing it is the back wheel full of breaks and gears. The owner must have felt sorry for me when I was talking to him saying it ‘can’t be that hard a job’ as he told me to go and get the bike and he would fit it. How good was that and he only wanted $10 for his trouble I was prepared to pay a lot more. While all this was happening Mez was back at the van having kittens as she couldn’t wait to see the back of Tennant Creek.

Only another 100kms to Banga Banga. This is a working cattle station next to the highway that supplies you with camp facilities of water, shower and toilet, a small bar that they open at 6 and a campfire around where the kids roast marshmallows and the guy sings with his guitar. 

Lots of fun around the campfire - amazing people you meet

The original homestead which is now just a bar and tourist attraction.

Sun rise at Banga Banga a very peaceful experience

People very friendly good place to stay.