Leaving Fitzroy Crossing we visited the site of the oldest hotel in the town
Crossing Inn.
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| After many deaths of drunken locals on the roads back home, this service was implemented to give a free ride |
Then we visited the old river crossing.
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| Crossing the new high level bridge |
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| The old crossing is completely flooded every Wet |
George told us the history behind Fossil Downs, one of the many cattle
stations in the area. The longest trek of cattle from Goulburn NSW to Fitzroy
Crossing by the MacDonald family. The subsequent large cattle station was in the
same family until purchased by mining magnate Gina Rinehart in 2015.
There is a large diamond deposit on the land but as the lease is for a cattle
station no mining is allowed. There is a land rights claim which also makes for
an interesting future for Fossil Downs. It will be interesting to hear how the land rights claim progresses. It may interfere with Ms Rinehart's ambitions for a diamond mine.
We had a comfort stop at Ngumpan Cliff where the views were lovely. A very
well serviced 24 hour stop with shady tables and benches. Then it was back on
the road which stretched endlessly before us.
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| Lots of wildflowers everywhere we stopped |
We stopped for a morning tea break at Mary River/Mary Pool. This is a very
popular stop for the Grey Nomad brigade – at least a dozen vans were parked up
under the shady trees, as well as a dozen or more cattle. Following morning tea we walked down to the river
crossing. Cattle, free ranging, were drinking at the river, it was reminiscent
of Africa as they kept an eye on us as they drank. They also have a hierarchy as
the young ones held back as the older cows drink first.
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| These colourful dragonflies are everywhere in the NW |
Just before we arrived into Halls Creek, we passed the Tanimi Road which is a
direct route to Alice Springs. We were also lucky enough to have a wedge tailed
eagle feeding on some road kill. He took off though before we could capture any pictures.
There was a convenient shady spot in a park in Halls Creek for us to have our
lunch. After lunch George took us to see China Walls just out of town, an
interesting geological feature where the quartz has eroded to the surface, then
it was on the road again, heading for Purnululu NP – the Bungle Bungles.
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| Jack Jugarie a local aboriginal tracker and policeman |
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| A tribute to Ivan Fredericks aka "Russian Jack" who pushed his injured friend 300km through the Great Sandy Desert to Wyndham to get medical help. |
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| Lunch in the park |
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| A native holly |
We just managed a couple of quick stops for photos but the light was fading.
George did a great job negotiating the rough track into our accommodation.
However, time lost during the day meant we arrived after dark, which had its
challenges.
Settled in to our tented accommodation, it was straight to dinner. This was a
marvellous feast – pork belly followed by barramundi, both beautifully
presented, then panna cotta for dessert. It was a very cold night but we managed
to stay reasonably warm with an extra blanket on the bed.
George told us the history behind Fossil Downs, one of the many cattle
stations in the area. The longest trek of cattle from Goulburn NSW to Fitzroy
Crossing by the MacDonald family. The subsequent large cattle station was in the
same family until purchased by mining magnate Gina Rinehart in 2015.
We stopped for a morning tea break at Mary River/Mary Pool. This is a very
popular stop for the Grey Nomad brigade – at least a dozen vans were parked up
under the shady trees, as well as a dozen or more cattle. Following morning tea we walked down to the river
crossing. Cattle, free ranging, were drinking at the river, it was reminiscent
of Africa as they kept an eye on us as they drank. They also have a hierarchy as
the young ones held back as the older cows drink first. 
Just before we arrived into Halls Creek, we passed the Tanimi Road which is a
direct route to Alice Springs. We were also lucky enough to have a wedge tailed
eagle feeding on some road kill. He took off though before we could capture any pictures.
We just managed a couple of quick stops for photos but the light was fading.
George did a great job negotiating the rough track into our accommodation.
However, time lost during the day meant we arrived after dark, which had its
challenges. 
Settled in to our tented accommodation, it was straight to dinner. This was a
marvellous feast – pork belly followed by barramundi, both beautifully
presented, then panna cotta for dessert. It was a very cold night but we managed
to stay reasonably warm with an extra blanket on the bed. 
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