Day 27, Larrawa Station
Yes, you guessed it -- another hot day today (38°)
I packed up and left Kununurra promptly, keen to get as many miles down the road as I could.
The Great Northern Hwy is very picturesque all the way to Halls Creek. Continuous mountain ranges, interesting rocky outcrops, winding road and a bit of up and down as well.
I was contemplating going in to have a look at Purnululu National Park. There's a caravan park at the start of the access road. They do 4wd tours. At least they do during the season. Sign on the gate -- "Closed September 30th"!
So on I went.
After Halls Creek the country flattens out. I'd done a good day's drive so I started to look for somewhere to stay. Larrawa Station caught my eye -- working cattle station, hot showers, $10/night, ...
I turned off into their drive. The gate was closed.
Fortunately a sign on the gate said "Yes we're open, come in".
I packed up and left Kununurra promptly, keen to get as many miles down the road as I could.
The Great Northern Hwy is very picturesque all the way to Halls Creek. Continuous mountain ranges, interesting rocky outcrops, winding road and a bit of up and down as well.
I was contemplating going in to have a look at Purnululu National Park. There's a caravan park at the start of the access road. They do 4wd tours. At least they do during the season. Sign on the gate -- "Closed September 30th"!
So on I went.
After Halls Creek the country flattens out. I'd done a good day's drive so I started to look for somewhere to stay. Larrawa Station caught my eye -- working cattle station, hot showers, $10/night, ...
I turned off into their drive. The gate was closed.
Fortunately a sign on the gate said "Yes we're open, come in".
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| Larrawa Station campground |
All was well. Pleasant surroundings, lots of room, 1 other van (been on the road 12 months).
I watched the sunset, made some tea, tidied up a bit and then sat out.
I watched the sunset, made some tea, tidied up a bit and then sat out.
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| Larrawa Station sunset - the calm before the storm |
There was quite a good show of thunder and lightning in the distance. A few drops of rain began to fall. Intermittent gusts of wind were springing up. "Hmmmm," I thought. "I might just close the van up a bit". Lucky I did because within minutes the wind and rain were buffeting the van. Of course the storm was coming from the worst direction -- dead side on, on the door side. I noticed that my bare feet were feeling a bit wet. The storm was blowing rain through the closed door. I got all the old sponges out and began mopping up the puddles. For a while I wasn't sure if I was winning the war. Fortunately the wind shifted 90°. Now it was coming from the best direction. I prevailed and was even able to look out and enjoy the show.
An hour or so later all is calm again and I think I'll sleep well tonight.
An hour or so later all is calm again and I think I'll sleep well tonight.