Day 13. Early onto the Stuart Highway north as we have another 600km to drive today before we can relax in the Kimberley. Lots of huge road trains up to 54 metres long with 3 wagons carrying fuel and cattle. Turned west onto the Buchanan Highway, good dirt for 400km through Top Springs, crossing the mighty Victoria River, past the famous Victoria River Downs Station and finally stopping the night at a lovely campsite by a pandanas palm lined waterhole at Jasper G...

Day 12. On the Stuart Highway early today as we wished to get closer to the Kimberley, our main goal of The Great Northern Adventure. About 600km on the bitumen, seems so strange to have a smooth road after a couple thousand kilometres of dirt roads and tracks. Stops along the way at Ti-Tree Roadhouse, the Djilbari Hills, Barrow Creek Roadhouse and the old Telegraph Station, Devils Marbles, lunch at Tennant Creek and finally stopping the night at a grassy campsit...

Day 11. Up early to the ARB shop to get a loose driving light fixed, no charge. Found a brand new Bunnings warehouse so we went to have a look. Shiny polished floors, very friendly team members, so we were very impressed. Next the Alice camping shop for another look, again we were very impressed. Downtown for a stroll and coffee, then a short drive along the beautiful red West McDonnell Ranges. Walked around the Desert Park admiring the native desert flora and fa...

Day 10. Sunday breakfast in the desert of bacon and eggs over the open fire, and then 150km along the Old Ghan Track to Alice Springs. The magnificent McDonnell Ranges growing on the horizon as we approached Alice. Checked into a cosy cabin for 2 nights at the G'day Mate Park just outside the Gap. Showers, shave and downtown to the Sunday city market for kransky on the run and coffees. Great atmosphere with a biff up between some indigenous women and police bust...

Day 9. Early breakfast and then onto the dreaded track of 65 km to Mt Dare Homestead. So rocky and muddy it felt like the car would fall apart. The new Cooper light truck tyres and heavy duty suspension on the Prado performed admirably. Great pies at Mt Dare and then crossed into the Northern Territory before reaching the indigenous settlement of Finke, then crossing the dry sandy river bed of the Finke, Australia's mightiest inland river. The old rail bridge w...