Greg went for a pre-sunrise walk whilst Wendy packed up the van. We moved back into Camooweal for one main reason and that was to use the loo. Whist there in the rest area we decided to brew up and then have breakfast. We also re-fuelled so we didn't have a repeat of the trip to Boulia; this road can have a heavy headwind so we wanted a full tank, just in case.
After leaving Camooweal just after 8 am, we arrived at Barkly Homestead about 11:30 am NT time, midday QLD time, set up and had some lunch. After a little rest, Wendy worked again, and you will never guess what Greg got up to? Yes, he went for a ride; he rode along the highway in the direction of Camooweal until he got bored and came home, about 25 km all up.
We had a little bit of fun watching people arrive today; people trying to back into a drive-thru site, with some not knowing what they were doing. Anyway, they all got where they wanted to be without hitting anything or anyone, so all is good. We were one of only a few vans when we first arrived, and now, the park is about three quarters full. They have done a lot of work in the three years since we were here last, with a heap more powered sites.
A little bit about this place: Barkly Homestead is one of the most isolated roadhouses in Australia. They generate their own power using diesel generators and solar panels. During the peak season, they can use up to 700 l of diesel per day. They also maintain their own bore and treat the water so it is drinkable. All this is done without government asssitance, hence the higher than usual prices. Another thing we noticed is that there is no EFTPOS, you can only pay with cash; this may be for two reasons: the telecommunications in the area are not too crash hot, or they just want cash, or both?
Being a Thursday, we had dinner at the restaurant, and both meals were excellent.
Road out to Camooweal Billabong
Camooweal Billabong
A view of some of the vans at the billabong
Some helpful info at Camooweal rest stop
Crossing into the Nothern Territory
Morning tea stop
Scenery
The diesel generators at Barkly
Us at Barkly
Greg's afternoon ride
Front of Barkly Homestead Roadhouse
