Barb & John's Hols: Day 26 back to Daly Waters

Day 26 Back to Daly Waters

There's no doubt that Timber Creek exceeded our expectations, both the campsite and the cruise. In the morning we made a fairly rapid getaway because our drive through site allowed us to stay hitched and we hadn't put the annexe canopy up.

It's a really pleasant drive through to Katherine from Timber Creek. We called in once again to Victoria River Crossing roadhouse on the way. We were amused to have to make our own cup of tea at the roadhouse .... it reminded us of the Olary Hotel and the instruction "you know how you like it".

Arriving in Katherine around lunch time we knew it wouldn't be too difficult to make it to Daly Waters that night. We'd so enjoyed our previous stay there.

On our way through Mataranka we stopped briefly to have a look at the staues in the park of characters from the book "We of the Never Never". Must read it sometime. There's also a very large termite mound in the park but we were put off getting too near that by a crowd of local aboriginals lolling just near it. On on we go....

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Large termite mound

John was not keen to stop off at Fran's Devonshire Tea house again though for another of her famous homemade pies (too b****y right!). We did however stop in Larrimah at the Pink Panther Pub, which is virtually next door. It claims to be one of the top ten outback pubs ..... we don't know by whose reckoning. It is certainly characterful! The rather cachectic looking barman was surprisingly thoughtful offering a glass of ice and straw to go with my can of Coke Zero. Maybe I looked refined enough to need it. Everyone else was drinking their beer straight from the can. (Including me.)

Big Stubby and Pink Panther

Larrimah's Pink Panther Pub

Unusual decor

Larrimah is one of those strange little places that was thriving as a railway siding during World War Two, There were a number of WW2 airfields and bases nearby, which are today marked with memorials and plaques. There's even a Larrimah museum with a number of radial aero engines littering the precincts, all in a distinct state of decay.

Barb enjoys a cold coke

Larrimah museum

Quaint

When we finally got to Daly Waters we were shown to our campsite once again by the man on the bicycle. He must work very long hours. He'd been up before dawn cleaning the toilets and showers, and he was there until well after dark organising the cars and caravans into position. It was very busy too. It looked like nearly every available spot was taken.

4WD and caravans packed in tightly at Daly Waters

John and I booked in to have the "Beef and Barra" dinner on offer at the beer garden, where Stevie was once again singing his Karaoke songs. Because there was such a crowd it was a great atmosphere with lots of people including small children, and an 80 year old couple celebrating her birthday were up dancing and singing along. It was infectious .... you couldn't help tapping your feet, clapping your hands and joining in. We bought Stevie's home made CDs too and played them all the way to the Barkly Homestead the next day.