Emerald to Katherine

Roaming Ramblings 2008 #2 31/5/08
Emerald to Katherine
Hi to All
The Redclaw weren’t very cooperative at all this year, they say because of the floods earlier in the year. The dam is totally full and in some places is up to 80 ft deep. We did manage to find some shallow spots around sunken trees and we were getting 10 to 15 a day until we moved the traps around a bit and got on to a nice patch where we picked up over 100 in the last 3 days (good size too), so we at least had some to put in the freezer for later. The experts say that next year will be boom times as the critters will be breeding up in the deep water throughout the year just waiting for the tourists to arrive in May. (Here’s hoping anyway)
We had a good time at the camp, a big group of about 20 of Peter & Barb’s friends from the South Coast were all there and they made us feel very welcome.
The weather was a lot warmer than N.S.W. but still a bit cool at night….Doona Time.
The park is run by Andrew & Geoff, a couple of gay boys who are excellent hosts, they organise regular social events for the campers and go out of their way to see that everyone has a good fun time.
It was a bit sad to leave Emerald and head for the warmer weather to the North.
First night out we stopped at Barcaldine where the entertainment in the camp is very good, a local character named Tom Lockie cooks damper & billy tea and tells a few yarns around the campfire, this is followed by Graeme Rodger singing a few country songs, we’ve seen Graeme before and he is very good value.
Next night we stopped at Winton but because it was State of Origin, the usual campfire entertainment was cancelled which was unfortunate as Milton Taylor is one of the best bush poets around, never mind, at least N.S.W. won the football. We were surrounded by Queenslanders but for some reason they were very quiet. (No sense of humour)
Then it was on to Mt Isa for a couple of days to do a bit of shopping and washing, I had hoped to get the car serviced but no one could do it at short notice so it will have to wait till Katherine.
We had a freebie at Avon Downs across the Barkly in N.T. a nice clean camp with toilets opposite the police station, no phones, radio or tele but very popular and cold enough to light a fire which we did and had an enjoyable night.
We’re starting to notice that the increasing fuel prices are not having too much effect on the caravanners, there are just as many out here as ever although the freebie roadside camps look busier than in previous years and it appears many have been upgraded.
Tennant Creek hasn’t changed much since 2005 (still grotty) but it’s worth driving back the 25k’s from the Threeways to save about 25c per litre on fuel. I was able to buy E10 for 153.9 with a seniors card, that’s the cheapest we’ve seen since Roma. (Unleaded at Threeways was 183.9)
As we still have plenty of time before we’re due at Daly River we are just doing short days of about 200k’s (suits me fine).
Next night (Monday) we stopped behind the roadhouse at Elliott…..we looked for a freebie but our camps book had nothing with toilets between Tennant Creek and Daly Waters apart from roadhouses and commercial parks.
Advice for fellow travellers, the camp at Newcastle Waters now has what looks like a very new toilet block which we discovered the following morning, 15 minutes up the road. (Bugger)
On to Daly Waters for a night at the pub, where the entertainment is always good. We got in about 10.30 which is essential if you want a good powered site and by about 3.00pm there were probably another 30 vans in the paddock. I went for a walk at 6.30 next morning and counted 69 vans & campers. All this in a paddock next to the pub which wouldn’t be much more than about 3 acres.
Fortunately they’ve never had a fire.
Frank the “Chook Man” still provides the nightly entertainment at Daly Waters, but unfortunately he hasn’t learnt any new songs or jokes since we were here 3 years ago, nevertheless we had a good time and a great meal.
We fought our way out next morning and headed for Mataranka and the hot springs, we have never stopped here before but it is well worthwhile just to spend an hour or so in the spring water which comes up out of the ground at about 34 degrees and is as clear as crystal…very relaxing.
Before we left next day we called in to the Mataranka Manor where the owner hand feeds barramundi in a dam at the park, it’s quite amazing, he wiggles a small piece of pilchard on the water and when the barra comes to take it he grabs it by the mouth and lifts the thing clear of the water and they’re not small, probably around 12 - 15kg.
We got out of Mataranka around 10.30 for the short drive to Katherine where we were able to have a clean up, do some shopping, washing and stock up for the next month at Daly River, I was also able to get the car serviced and have blood tests done for the doctors back home.
Saturday was the annual Katherine Cup meeting and as it is the only meeting of the year everyone from town and those within about 100 k’s were there, the crowd was huge, I’m sure it must have been a great success for the organisers….not very successful for us but we had a good time anyway.
Tomorrow we head out to Daly River for the next month and hopefully some big Barra in the boat, we’ve got everything we need so if we don’t get some there will be no excuses. (but I’ll make something up if necessary)
Hopefully some good fish stories and photos next time.
Till then
Love to All
D & J