Day 38 Wycliffe Well To Dunmarra

26 June

This turned to be a big driving day. Our original itinerary called for us to overnight at Tennant Creek. However, it was only 10.30 in the morning when we arrived, far to early to stop for the day.  So we decided to push on to Dunmarra.  By the time we arrived at about 3.30 pm we had travelled 483 kms. However, we did not do this all in one go.  We were careful to stop 3 times for a break and to stretch our legs and backs!

Our first stop was at Karlu Karlu, or the Devil's Marbles, which are on the side of the highway not far north of Wycliffe Well.

Then we stopped for about an hour at Tennant Creek.  This is a much bigger town than I was expecting, much bigger than the usual roadhouse stops to which we are becoming accustomed.

We also stopped at Elliott for a lunch break and noticed that there was not a soul about.

Then we pulled in to Dunmarra roadhouse.  An interesting fact about this place.  Way back in the early days (for this read the 1930's or thereabouts) one Dan O'Mara went missing here.  The aboriginal trackers who went to rescue him could't pronounce his name; it kept coming out as Dunmarra  and this is what this place has been called ever since.  As for poor old Dan, he was not found and perished in the bush.

Dunmore is your typical roadhouse stop, petrol, pub and basic caravan park.  What distinguishes it from a lot of its fellows is an appalling set of ablution blocks.

There were two highlights to our stay here.  Just as the sun was setting, five huge tank transporters, each one carrying an Abrams tank pulled in to spend the night.  Unexpectedly spectacular.  Apparently, they are on their way from Darwin to Queensland to join in military efforts to combat a combined force of Japanese and New Zealand invaders.  I hope they win, I am not too sure about living under Kiwi rulen not to mention the Japanese.

The second highlight of the day occurred when a mobile home which was passing to the rear of our site in the caravan park, came too close and clipped our rear left-hand corner. We were sitting in the van last this point and felt this heavy knock.  When we went out to inspect the damage, we discovered that none was apparent.  Nevertheless, we got the details of the driver of the mobile home and one of the witnesses in case damage became apparent once we moved.  As it turned out all was well and has remained well on the road to Materanka.  So I think we can put that down to good luck and the patron saint of caravanners, whoever that is.  Anyway, here are some photos of the Devil's Marbles and the tanks.