Out of Borroloola by about 8.30am and as we get off the black top and after about 2-3kms on the gravel we drop the tyres on the car and van, the next 80kms are pretty rough.

We take it pretty slow and stop at a our first river crossing for some lunch the journey has been ok so far, the waters are still running quite fast but the water level is easy to cross. We plan to stay at the next river crossing being Robinson River but when we get to the very pretty spot with running waters and swimming holes, you can swing a cat anywhere. Vehicle are actually parked in the water way, so we move on. After another hour of driving we find a nice camping area for the night out in the bush, with a great fire and bbq dinner we enjoy the quiet night at our last NT destination before crossing the border tomorrow.

The next morning we head off around 7.30am Qld border and the famous Hell's Gate roadhouse.

At 8.30 NT time we cross into QLD it is now 9am and we have completed 3,655kms and it is the 23rd July, and nearly 4 months on the road.

The 1kms sign to Hell's Gate is a welcome sign as the fuel gauge is looking sad. We spend some time chatting to the owners who are wanting to sell up the farm property and not sure if new owners will take on the running of the roadhouse which they started back when they bought the property some . The cattle station is very lucrative and the roadhouse not so much. So watch this space for future travellers - Hell's Gate may no longer be.

The cattle pretty well run the area and we had to stop many times to let them cross the road or get off the road as they were walking down it, they stood there ground many times.

Our next fuels stops were Doomagee and Tirranna and both a quick in and out, the young people at Tirranna were very nice and revamping the place - even had a real coffee machine. W.e are on black top now until Burketown

As we turned left into Burketown it is an amazing site to see the Brolgas standing tall and graceful on the Salt flats and waterways.

Burketown was a very nice town and we stayed here for 4 nights it had a pub, bakery,butcher. post office, 2 small mini marts, fuel and a takeway place all walking distance from the Caravan Park YAH.

We tried our luck at a spot of fishing on the Nicholson River and caught 1/2 dozen catfish and set them free, fun day out. The Artesian Bore was a beautiful spectacle and the water boiling hot.

The van got a big clean inside and out, yes it is actually white again.

Our next journey is to Adel's Grove - Lawn Hill

From the Great Outdoors

Alida and Mal