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Christmas 2009 Davenport Ranges- Old Police Station Waterhole
All packed and ready to hit the road, Binns track awaits us.
Our trip North was going to start on Christmas eve, although since we had a storm heading our way we decided to stick around.
The the storm was a complete let down and a few phone calls later to check the road conditions we were on our way. I'm not a big
fan of driving on Christmas Day, but we had no choice. We had already lost one day. We ended up stopping overnight at Wycliffe Well.
I guess all places have their themes etc, well theirs is the UFO capital of OZ.
The art was impressive and was everywhere, somebody was really busy for a while by the looks of it.
Plenty for the kids to do and see, although a shame the train wasnt running as my 3 year old boy is a huge train buff.
They have a great undercovered pool thats a great draw card too.
The next morning we packed the Prado for a day trip to Devils Marbles, Wauchope (walcup), refilled our LPG tank and subtank in Tennent Creek.
We picked up the camper trailer back at Wycliffe Well and headed back up towards Bonney Well for the Ranges turnoff.
This is the Northern entrance and from this point is 167klm to Old Policeman Waterhole on dirt from the Sturat Hwy.
The road in was nice and wide and well maintained as it services a few communities out this way and offers the only 2wd access.
Although it does get a little rougher as you get to the last turnoff and caution is needed if towing.
After an hour or so on some pretty good roads we got our first look at the Old Policemans Waterhole.
There's plenty of great shadey campsite next to the Frew River, and shared it with only 4 other lots of campers.
This place has become my new favourite waterhloe campsite.
What a relief too. It was so hot, the flies where on a mission and that Frew River was so inviting.
The water was the right temperature but not too cold and what better way to cool off after a hot long drive.
We swam all arvo then after dinner, kicked back and relaxed while we watched the sunset with few ales.
After our liitle holiday by the water it was time to hit the tracks home to Alice.
I really wanted to go out via the Frew River loop track but trailers where not recommended.
I should have driven it after we set up camp, sounded like fun. Maybe next time.
On the map the distance is roughly the same to go home the Southern route compared to the North.
It seemed quicker. Little did we know its not only a non maintained track but it was rather slow and winding.
The bush changes so much from Arnhem Land scenery to a rugged dry rocky landscape, with plenty of water crossings.
It was a little rough, but the driving changed from sand to dirt back to rocky tracks again.
At this water crossing I realized the Prado and the camper trailer had taken a bit of a beating from the rocky tracks.
One cracked spottie, rear passengers side plastic fairing peeled off and a slowly deflating rear tyre, and that was just the Prado.
The camper trailer had a hole in the water tank and a few bits missing but survived quite well considering it was copping it from the mud terrains.
I would highly recommend good tyres and maybe 2 spares just in case. Having good protection on your tralier and covering the rear window helps as well.
After about what seemed forever on this track we finally reached Davenport Road, the quickest wy out to the Hwy.
This would happen to be the smoothest dirt road I've ever been on, it was smoother then some of our major Hwys.
Doing 80klms to 100klms before dropping it back to fourth even thrid to get over the sand dunes that popped up now and then.
We got to the train line and knew we weren't far from the Stuart Hwy. We made it, what a great drive. This trip is a must do.
A few stops on the way home, grabbed something to eat, drink and top up with fuel.
It started to get dark just before Ti Tree. Without extra lighting from the spotties the last part
of the trip was more risky due to the amount of roos on the road. We came close several times but no strikes.
But we made the 1200klm or so round trip home. Tuesday morning was painful to say the least when I had to go back to work.
Long weekends always goo to quick, but it was the best trip we have done in a while.
Easy the best spot to camp North of Alice Springs, its worth the drive. Hope you enjoyed it,
Zook.
All packed and ready to hit the road, Binns track awaits us.
Our trip North was going to start on Christmas eve, although since we had a storm heading our way we decided to stick around.
The the storm was a complete let down and a few phone calls later to check the road conditions we were on our way. I'm not a big
fan of driving on Christmas Day, but we had no choice. We had already lost one day. We ended up stopping overnight at Wycliffe Well.
I guess all places have their themes etc, well theirs is the UFO capital of OZ.
The art was impressive and was everywhere, somebody was really busy for a while by the looks of it.
Plenty for the kids to do and see, although a shame the train wasnt running as my 3 year old boy is a huge train buff.
They have a great undercovered pool thats a great draw card too.
The next morning we packed the Prado for a day trip to Devils Marbles, Wauchope (walcup), refilled our LPG tank and subtank in Tennent Creek.
We picked up the camper trailer back at Wycliffe Well and headed back up towards Bonney Well for the Ranges turnoff.
This is the Northern entrance and from this point is 167klm to Old Policeman Waterhole on dirt from the Sturat Hwy.
The road in was nice and wide and well maintained as it services a few communities out this way and offers the only 2wd access.
Although it does get a little rougher as you get to the last turnoff and caution is needed if towing.
After an hour or so on some pretty good roads we got our first look at the Old Policemans Waterhole.
There's plenty of great shadey campsite next to the Frew River, and shared it with only 4 other lots of campers.
This place has become my new favourite waterhloe campsite.
What a relief too. It was so hot, the flies where on a mission and that Frew River was so inviting.
The water was the right temperature but not too cold and what better way to cool off after a hot long drive.
We swam all arvo then after dinner, kicked back and relaxed while we watched the sunset with few ales.
After our liitle holiday by the water it was time to hit the tracks home to Alice.
I really wanted to go out via the Frew River loop track but trailers where not recommended.
I should have driven it after we set up camp, sounded like fun. Maybe next time.
On the map the distance is roughly the same to go home the Southern route compared to the North.
It seemed quicker. Little did we know its not only a non maintained track but it was rather slow and winding.
The bush changes so much from Arnhem Land scenery to a rugged dry rocky landscape, with plenty of water crossings.
It was a little rough, but the driving changed from sand to dirt back to rocky tracks again.
At this water crossing I realized the Prado and the camper trailer had taken a bit of a beating from the rocky tracks.
One cracked spottie, rear passengers side plastic fairing peeled off and a slowly deflating rear tyre, and that was just the Prado.
The camper trailer had a hole in the water tank and a few bits missing but survived quite well considering it was copping it from the mud terrains.
I would highly recommend good tyres and maybe 2 spares just in case. Having good protection on your tralier and covering the rear window helps as well.
After about what seemed forever on this track we finally reached Davenport Road, the quickest wy out to the Hwy.
This would happen to be the smoothest dirt road I've ever been on, it was smoother then some of our major Hwys.
Doing 80klms to 100klms before dropping it back to fourth even thrid to get over the sand dunes that popped up now and then.
We got to the train line and knew we weren't far from the Stuart Hwy. We made it, what a great drive. This trip is a must do.
A few stops on the way home, grabbed something to eat, drink and top up with fuel.
It started to get dark just before Ti Tree. Without extra lighting from the spotties the last part
of the trip was more risky due to the amount of roos on the road. We came close several times but no strikes.
But we made the 1200klm or so round trip home. Tuesday morning was painful to say the least when I had to go back to work.
Long weekends always goo to quick, but it was the best trip we have done in a while.
Easy the best spot to camp North of Alice Springs, its worth the drive. Hope you enjoyed it,
Zook.
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