20150518 NT Camooweal, Daly Waters Pub, Bitter Springs

20150518  We head to  a remote town which was established in 1884 and consist of a Pub with camping at the back, convenient store, a fuel and police station, I am always amazed how these town keep afloat.

The statue represents the Camooweal Drover’s Camp Festival of Sid Biondi whose job was to  deliver cattle via the hoof across the Northern Territory stock route from the late 1940s to 1960s.

The Mural depicts that era.

We were told these a great camp spot about 50ks out of town in between to bridges you can't miss it. Well! we past two bridges about 3 ks out of Camooweal but we thought that can't be it so we kept on going, which side of Camooweal Des, I asked, well that's a good point he said, so we missed it.  I don't get it, he talks to every one but still can't get his facts right, bloody hopeless, but I'm sure this will be one of many.

We camped up at Avon Downs free camp site which consisted of a single police station and thousands of fly's.

The Longest Drive:11,000 sheep left North Western Victoria in Sept 1882, 16 months and 3,500 km later Wallace Caldwell, his men and 4,000 sheep arrived at Avon Downs making it the longest sheep droving trip in Australian History.

A couple and their two children travelling to Broom camped behind us with there swags lining the fence and there four wheel drive packed to the hills.  We had a few drinks with them and they gave us some great travel tips, but the fly's were so bad you weren't game enough to open you month which is really hard for Mr Have a Chat (Des).

19-05-2015 So far from Mt Isa we have traveled 636 ks of bitumen with nothing to see, talk about boring.  Stopping at the Three Ways we were told to miss Tennant Creek which is an Aboriginal reserve and go onto Dalys Waters so we stayed at Renner Springs Caravan Park to rest up for the night.

In side the Three Way's Hotel the walls are lined with many number plates from many different states.

Followed by memorabilia of truck drivers pictures past and present.

20-05-2015  After being told, DON’T miss the Daly Waters Pub, we turned off to check it out, A "True Outback Pub"established in 1930 the old tin shack walls were lined with all types of artifacts; which grows with every traveler passing through.

It is said it all started in the 80's with a drinking bet between a coach driver and his female passenger, and the trend continue's today.

 Bra's, undies, money from all over the world, business cards, hats you name it it's their and the lay back feeling leaves you wanting to be part of it, that's when Des said do you want to stay the night, God Ya.

 Someone don't liked poor old Julia.






Des booked us in and we had no longer set up when a couple parked beside us and old have a chat was off.  Mark and Kate were our neighbors so when happy hour started we meet at the pub to check out the live entertainment which is on every night.

 All up we had three artiest that carried us through the night.

Happy hour, I don't think two at a time is a good idea Des, keep them coming.













A young mother beside us was trying to get her son up to dance only he was reluctant so I seized the opportunity and the night just got better.

Between Kate and the backpackers we dancing the night away and Des and I even forgot to eat.

Walking back to the van wasted I said to Des, let’s go and party with the back packers but Mr Kill joy had enough and I gotta say I was glad the next morning.

 Our new friend Mark has a soft spot for the King, I think theirs could be some resemblance, come on Mark flick your hair back.

21-05-2015  Mark and Kate  meet us at the Bitter Springs at Mataranka to camp the night but as usual there is no camping, what's new.

 The spring branches off into a stream and  on average, the flow from Bitter Springs is about 300 litres per second, the current floats you downstream for 100 metres to a bridge and ladder where you climb out then walk around the spring.

We made the most of it while here and went for a swim in the clear water of the spring, don't worry the spring is very warm otherwise Des would never have got in.

Time for lunch so we pooled some nibbles and crackers then decided to camp up out of Katherine and cook up a feast.  Des had brought a roast that needed to be cooked so Mark offered to cook it in his man made Weber followed by roast veggies.

Des and I wringing out the washing. 

Our Bitches for the night, that's not right their always our bitches.  While the men cooked Kate and I sat back with a wine and had a good old chin wag and laugh.

I couldn't resist, here Mark if your going to be our bitch you need to play the part and he did it so well.

Mark preparing dinner for the girl and his other bitch, check out those sexy legs,Oh! Ho!.

We had a great dinner thanks to our Bitches followed by a few drinks and a good laugh.

22-05-2015  We all left for Katherine where we parted saying our good buys, thanks for a great couple of day Mark and Kate and happy travels.