A full day of travel brings us to the outskirts of Darwin to stay at Howard Springs with the most excitment coming from the kids upon seeing the splash park in the caravan park ... squee!!!!! A time to regroup, restock supplies and explore our first major town the boys are not sure what to expect ... a bookshop at the very least!  Thomas has had his head down in the first 2 Harry Potter books as he has now reached a point where he is able to read them relativel...

Up until now we had seen what we thought was alot of red sand but we knew nothing!!!! As we turned east onto the Roper Hwy the bitumen narrows but we mainly stay off the red sand/dirt on the side unless of course we have a road train or over zealous 4WD hurtling towards us and we nervoulsy make way onto the dirt. This somewhat prepares us for the final 30kms towards our destination which leaves the bitumen and we travel along a heavily corregated red dirt road a...

We've reached the top end and our first multiple night stay of the trip! Tables and chairs were out, awning pegged down and bikes off racks ready for adventure! I even managed a 5km run along the Katherine river it's amazing where running can take you! The kids the most excited about the pool at the caravan park. Our first day was spent restocking supplies, planning of what to see and do and the mundane tasks of laundry. Our poor molly coddled clothes have spe...

Geez we're excited campers this morning! Awaiting us as we woke (without alarm) and after packing the van, was the promise of a "must see" pub visit and a swim in the thermal pools of Mataranka! The van set up/pack up is becoming a slick well oiled machine now but to date have been only getting out the bare neccesities for our overnight stays. Between using the camp kitchens at caravan parks or the adjoining bistro/pub we have minimized the amount of cooking and...

Another dawn wake and pack up to head off embarking on our 2 biggest driving days to date. Our first destination is Alice Springs. Dawn gives us the amazing view of the unique landscape that surrounds Coober Pedy. With the sandy hills and mounds from the opal mines bursting through the red rocky desert soil it really seems that this is a world unlike no other. We soon re-commence our car game that began the day before ... Who can spot an animal first. The ru...