On Saturday evening we joined kiwi friends Dearne and Rod and their Uluru and Kings Canyon traveling companions for a thoroughly enjoyable meal in Alice Springs. There isn’t a big selection of dining choices, however I had read in the Australian about a new tapas bar having opened in town, and this is certainly the happening place on a Saturday night. Called Epilogue (for anyone interested), it is a great outdoor eating spot with live entertainment, so a good evening was enjoyed by all.

We originally planned on Sunday to travel to Barrow Creek, however took advice from Dearne and Rod and made a detour 70kms north of Alice, along the Plenty Highway, a one lane sealed road to a little spot called Gemtree. It does seem like the road is going east forever….in fact it does, converting to a dirt track and going all the way to the middle of Queensland! Gemtree is a little oasis in the midst of wilderness, and is run by a kiwi from Masterton, his wife and her family. We wondered what we had taken on when we got there, however it is a large open park with vast space between campers, and great facilities. You can go gem fossicking, enjoy scones and cream in the garden (Devonshire tea for the posh ones), enjoy nature walks or just relax. And in the evening they provide meals if you choose. There’s a big movie screen, a bar and an excellent outdoor social gathering spot. We enjoyed fish and chips (okay, Jane ate the fish without batter and bought her own salad), had a few drinks and talked to fellow campers about their adventures and experiences, which is the best way to learn where to go to enjoy the best spots off the beaten track.

Yesterday we planned to journey north to Barrow Creek to join up again with friends Rod and Dearne. We aren’t quite sure why we picked Barrow Creek, however it looked good on the map and was about 280kms which is about what we like to do in a day. Now we have been on some boring roads, but yesterday was ‘really boring’. Our highlight was stopping in Aileron, which is a roadhouse, with several fantastic aborigine statues.

Aboriginal Female with child and serpent in Aileron

Of course, along with lots of others, we had to stop to see these and take a few snaps. You can see just how small Steve is when standing beside this great piece of sculpture.

Now, Barrow Creek. Well, it comprises a roadhouse/pub that is ancient, a very old telegraph station you cannot get into and a dirt road in and out. So, as is often the case, the plans were changed and on we went to Wycliffe Well, another 70kms up the highway. There isn’t much there either! This is apparently the most prolific UFO spotting place in the country. Mmmm we say, how many red wines have they consumed! The only real attraction is a rather run down camp ground that was a secure spot for the night. It was all about the company, not the place. Dearne and Rod joined us mid afternoon, and we enjoyed sunset drinks at the end of the day.

Today did go to plan, which was for a very short drive up the road to Tennant Creek, stopping off at the Devils Marbles on the way.

Here we are looking fab in our usual garb for warm weather (sorry KIWIs) in front of a very small section of the Devils Marbles

These are a very large number of naturally formed granite boulders that are a bit like marbles. They were formed through erosion over millions of years and some are up to six metres in width. They sit one on another, appearing to defy gravity. The reserve is well managed by four different groups of aborigines. This was definitely today’s highlight although I do have to mention one thing. Steve cleaned the front windows on ‘The Tent’ this morning, making them very sparkly. We always make a point of making it easy for road trains to pass us, given most drive at 100kms per hour and we are around 90 to 95kms. Graciously, Steve allowed one to pass us this morning…..it was a cattle truck. And, yes you have guessed it. Those beautiful clean windows changed colour very quickly. Some of us had a good laugh and a few choice words were uttered. So at the Devils Marbles it was round two of cleaning. Thankfully the funny side was enjoyed by all.

We are now in Tennant Creek, a town of some 3000, which made its name for producing over five and half million ounces of gold, making it one of the most productive gold fields in the country. Truly, there isn’t a lot to see here, however it is a very handy stop for a quick food top up and chores (washing and cleaning). Later we will play a Cornish game, called smite with Dearne and Rod to close out the day.

Tomorrow we head north to Daly Creek, getting ever close to Darwin that elusive city on the northern coast.