After breakfast and two loads of washing we set off on the bikes to explore Daly Waters. We rode out in the direction of the highway and turned left at the Power and Water station which has 110 000 litres of diesel in five tanks to keep it going. Next stop was at the Daly Waters Airport and WW2 Airfield. Surprisingly Daley Waters at one stage was an international stopover for refuelling, It was during the period in aviation when aircraft with the longest range could not traverse Australia without numerous stops for fuel. It served as an important centre for transportation of passengers and mail in the early years. It played host to two larger airline companies - Guinea Airways and the Dutch airline KNILM (now KLM). To cater for the RAAF during the war, the runway was extended to 1.3 km and in 1942, a RAAF staging post was set up for refuelling and servicing both RAAF and USAAF aircaft. There endeth the history lesson.
Next up was Auld's Chain of Ponds which separates Daly Waters township from the airstrip. Before the bridge was built a Flying Fox River Crossing was used to 'ferry' people and cargo across the river. The remnants of the flying fox survive to this day.
The Stuart Tree, which is more of a stump now, was next. It is presumed that the explorer John McDouall Stuart carved the intial "S" into this tree on 23 May 1862 during his successfull journey from Adelaide to Darwin in 1861-2.
It was then back into Daly Waters to check out the wild pig, water buffalo and Kevin the crocodile. Kevin is guarded by Ned Kelly and one of his gang. Not sure why a 2m+ croc needs guarding though.
Lunch was had at the Daly Waters Pub and by far the most expensive meal we've had anywhere so far, but they were a lot better than at King Ash Bay.
A wander around the Museum/Junk Yard, with its classic motorbikes and cars got Greg excited but Wendy was a little underwhelmed by it all. It was worth the donation entry fee and we took some pics just to prove we did visit.
Daily Waters airport WW2 hangar and historical toilets
The support holding up the historical Flying Fox transport system at Daly Waters
The Flying Fox
The Stuart Tree
Daly Waters Power and Water Station
The 2 resident buffalo at Daly Waters
The buff didn't particularly like the grass Greg had picked for them but loved the scratch it gave them
2 aircraft that have seen better days
These pics were taken at 10 am, by 2 pm every site was taken
We drove through some mud or cow poo and this is what was left on the front of the van - almost a Southern Cross
