Homeward Bound

Days 50, 51, 52, and 53

Wednesday 30^th May to Saturday 2^nd June.

We left Jabiru at 9 am. With mixed feelings! The journey, our big adventure, was nearing the end, we were about to set our sights for home.

Home! That’s what makes the journey even more memorable, the comfortable feeling and the appreciation that home is where it all began with the months of planning. The anticipation of seeing our family and friends added to the desire to hurry this last stage of our trip along the track.

However; we weren’t quite finished with our adventuring! We had one more experience that we wished to complete. A meal at the iconic Daly Waters Pub. We had paid this pub a fleeting visit on a previous trip but were unable to stay the night so having no time constraints we decided to stay there the first night on the homeward bound track.

We met a new species of animal. They migrate North for the winter, these giant 4WD beasts towing huge caravans laden with air conditioners, TVs, Ensuite bathrooms and toilets. They are known for their social habits of gathering at free 24 hour way side stops at about 2 in the afternoon, their masters are in the grey nomad set and they set up their camp stools and watch as more beasts lurch in to take up any available space. They are very neat and park parallel to each other, the beast remains tethered to their loads ready for a quick getaway in the morning to race onwards to the next free overnight stop.

The beasts lined up and tethered ready for the next day

They do make one exception. It was apparent as we drove into Daly Waters. We had to join a huge queue to line up to be parked in the Caravan Park next to the pub. Fortunately they had a quiet spot at the back for we canvas dwellers, complete with grass and a more natural outlook.

Our beautiful campsite at Daly Waters. Note beasts tethered in paddock behind.

The evening at the pub was an experience that every Australian should have as “Chilli” the comedian/outback musician brought out the Aussie Ocker in all who dwelt there. The material of the jokes was such that only Australians could really appreciate the humour, plus it was good to see that our outback still had some real characters and wasn’t completely staffed by English, Irish, German, Scandinavian and Japanese back packers! The “Barra-Beef” meal was good too!

Quirky pub designed by Berlei ! What drink do they serve here, to get this reaction?

DJ's desk and rocking chair by the fire at Daly Waters pub

The next morning the beasts began humming and buzzing and in single file began their northward migration while we folded our tent and began the long trip South, mindful of the fact that we were heading into the cold weather country.

As we headed South we were passed by a constant convoy of the new species, and each time we passed a rest stop area after 2pm we could see them nestling down ready for the night.

We spent the next night at a small place called Aileron, which has a special place in our memories; we stayed there once before and were welcomed by a giant Aboriginal Sculpture on the hill, made by Steve Egan. As the sun set it looked as if he was watching over us and bidding us a safe farewell from his country.

10 m sculpture by Steve Egan, watching over campers at Aileron.

Our last night was spent in the same spot as our very first, in the bush, off the side of the road between Coober Pedy and Cadney Homestead. We sat by the campfire, watched the setting sun and reminisced of the many adventures we had experienced over the last seven weeks and talked longingly of home.

This last day Saturday was to be a marathon; we were completing the final dash for home. There would be no fiveses tonight, just a warm shower and our own beds.

Our last night on the track

  

Our last night on the track, same place as the first night. we watched the sun set and reminisced, was it really seven weeks ago. This track has really challenged our budget, relationship, and  desires to continue with this form of travel, but we won through, we ticked off both Tanami and Gibb River Road, but more important, we are already planning our next trip, but first we must get that axle fixed. Ouch$$$$

After travelling 12,620 Kms, at 8.30pm Saturday 2^nd June, the track came to an end.