Report No 7

Darwin turned out to be quite a pricey place for us. We decided to get ourselves a new digital camera so that we can still take photos on the rest of our trip. We also bought a cd player for the car (nice to be able to listen to our cds again). We spent 3 days in Darwin. It was very hot and humid. On our way down south again we visited the Kakadu Nationalpark. We went to look at Aboriginal rock paintings in Ubirr and Nourlangie. It was still very hot, so you couldn't really do too much. We were lucky to take part in a so-called cultural event. An Aboriginal ranger prepared us a long necked turtle over the fire for lunch. It was quite an experience, Luca loved the turtle meat. It tasted a bit like chicken but was much tougher. We also saw our first (and only up to now) wild saltwater crocodile.

We were still travelling with our Austrian friends. Further south at Edith Falls (again) we met up with some Swiss friends from university. There we also said bye to the Austrians as our pathes seperated.

We then took the Victoria Highway west towards Kununurra. From there we wanted to do the Gibb River Road through the Kimberleys. Unfortunately we were forced to turn around after 175 km, because we had 2 flat tyres within 20 km! Luckily we made it back to Kununurra with a 'fixed' tyre. (We only carry 1 spare tyre.) They both had to be replaced.

Not wanting to break any more expensiv tyres we decided to head south. Our first stop was at Bungle Bungle Nationalpark. The drive into the park was really rough (nearly 3 hours for 50 km, but no flat tyres). It was well worth it though. The "beehive" formations really looked impressive in the evening light. We even did a hike into Cathedral Gorge before it got too hot.

We then did the Tanami Track from Halls Creek to Alice Springs. A gravel road through the Outback, over 1000 km long with two roadhouses on the way, otherwise nothing. We stopped over at Rabbit Flat roadhouse and were the only "guests".

We did the whole track in 2 days (with an overheating car) and were glad to find a campground in Alice Springs with green grass and a pool. To our surprise the temperatures in Alice were very pleasant - even a bit cool!

We had the car's cooling system looked at and did the usual grocery shopping. We visited the Royal Flying doctors service station there, which was interesting. As we were away from home for 7 months already, we were pleased to see a Swiss restaurant (Kellers restaurant) in town. We went there for dinner with our Austrian friends (we ran into them again) but were very disappointed! Never had such a horrible cheese fondue :(

After 3 days in Alice Springs we headed west to the Western Mac Donnell Range nationalpark. There we visited a few gorges. Via the Ormiston Gorge we went to Palm Valley in the Finke Gorge nationalpark. We did a nice hike there into the valley with palms in such an arid surrounding. Luca is starting to enjoy walking on his own on longer walks. If he wants he easily walks over 1 km.

A short cut through the Boggy Hole (also Finke Gorge nationalpark) turned out to be a little adventure. Firstly our chosen picnic spot for lunch had deeper and softer sand than expected. We got properly bogged for the first time. Secondly following the wrong track (which disappeared) took us to a very rocky river bed which we followed until the park boundary fence eventually led us back to the track.

Via Kings Canyon we headed for Uluru (Ayers Rock). It was nice to see it again. At Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) we did a long hike- Valley of the winds- in the heat of the day (43°C).

Our next stop was Coober Pedy, where we found a unique campsite underground. Because of the heat alot of the people live underground.

1st of December 2004, Coober Pedy