As we were in no hurry this morning, we both did our morning walks, then had breakfast. We were packed up and ready to leave the van park at 9 am, quite late for us. We learnt today, never judge a drive by the number of towns along it. A real interesting day in the end. First stop was not very far up the road - The Highest Point Marker, that celebrates the highest point on the 3 000 km stretch of mainly straight highway between Adelaide and Darwin. Mornos was at the Tropic of Capricorn rest area that was not far from the highest point marker; we stopped here in 2018. Maybe only a coincidence but it felt much warmer as soon as we crossed this latitude. So much so that it wasn't long before the co-pilot was reaching for the aircon button.
We stopped again not much further up the highway at Ryan Well Historical Reserve to see a beautifully restored well. The NT Govt must have put a great deal of thought, and money, into this landmark. It was the a short walk across the road to see the remains of Glen Maggie Homestead from the late 1800s. Not far was the settlement of Aileron. After a wander, some photographs and trying to get into the Aileron Outback Art Gallery, which was closed, we had lunch. The gallery was closed when we were last there in 2018. There were five RVs parked outside the shop and many others stopped briefly but pulled out again when they saw it was closed. Apart from the Art Centre at Halls Creek, we can't recall seeing any indigenous-run art centre on the whole trip that were open and operating during regular hours. Greg has been looking for a nice aboriginal painting to buy on the trip, without success.
About 10 km out of Ti Tree we saw a sign advertising mango ice cream for sale directly from the farm. So we just had to visit. They also sell frozen mangoes, dried mango pieces and mango wine. Wendy was tempted to try the wine, but given she does not like mangoes, she was only slightly tempted. Greg enjoyed the mango ice-cream and the dried pieces.
Onwards to Ti Tree, our final destination for today. We are staying in a free camp behind the 'do-it-yourself' diesel station and shop. It is just a paddock with a few dried up plants and prickle bushes; no toilets. We discovered that there are no public toilets anywhere in Ti Tree, which is a bit puzzling. We can only assume it's because they got trashed? After an afternoon cuppa, we went for a walk around the small community of Ti Tree. We bought a couple of drinks from the shop, just to thank them for the free camp. Ended up drinking them back at the van whilst sitting in the shade, discussing our options for when we cross back into QLD. We have a number of ways of getting home (at the moment) depending on how we are feeling after the crossing. Will decide on which way to point the Cruiser then.
Drive scenery - another red road
Mornos stop
Ryan Well
Pads for the water tank to sit on
Aileron
Resident camels at Aileron including a baby - look carefully and you will see it having a feed
Our Ti Tree camp, there were another six vans behind the photographer
Ti Tree Roadhouse murals
Ti Tree park
