Camooweal – Daly Waters (18/4/12)

We had a HUGE day of driving today.  This country of ours is SO unbelievably big, especially in northern Australia!  Camooweal is only 14kms from the NT border, so it wasn't long before we arrived in the NT.  We were all very excited to be back in the NT and are looking forward to exploring northern NT.

It was 440kms from Camooweal to Three Ways, with very little in between.  Except of course a very silly motorhome driver who attempted to overtake us at a very dangerous spot.  It is easy to see how accidents happen.   We also had to stop at one point when some cattle were crossing the road.  The kids enjoyed watching the jackaroos on horses and motorbike keep the cattle heading in the right direction.

We stopped for snacks at one of the few places between Camooweal and Three Ways, Barkly Homestead.  We were a bit surprised at how nice it was given it was really in the middle of nowhere.   Diesel was $1.99/L so we were thankful we didn’t need fuel.

Another 180kms and we reached Stuart Highway and Three Ways.  To the south is Alice Springs and Ayers Rock and to the north is Darwin.  We were so thankful that we had visited Ayers Rock from SA last year and could head north as it is such a long way down the Stuart Highway to Ayers Rock.  Yippee!

We needed to fuel up at Renner Springs, 137kms north of Three Ways, and only paid $1.90/L here – bargain!  We drove another 100kms north to Elliot, where we had planned to stay the night.  Let’s just say it was not appealing at all and we decided to keep on driving.  So another 140kms north and we arrived at Daly Waters. 

We drove a total of 813kms and were in the car a very long time.  Simon is an absolute legend for driving for so long and the kids were so good.  However it was well and truly worth it.  We booked into the Daly Waters Pub Caravan Park, right next to the iconic Daly Waters Pub.  What a classic pub.  You name it, they had it hanging in the pub – from undies, hats, thongs, business cards, kitchen utensils, car registration plates from around the world, traffic lights, signs, etc.  In fact it is very hard to put into words.  Needless to say our drinks at the pub were very enjoyable.

We even had breakfast at the pub the next morning and it was delicious.  Daly Waters is a definite must stop for anyone travelling the Stuart Highway.

Next stop….Mataranka.

The Daly Waters Pub

Caravan park