Lake Argyle

About the town of Halls Creek, we continued on to Lake Argyle. A lake where approximately 35,000 freshwater crocodiles live. During the current very hot season, the crocodiles stay in the lake where it is cooler for them. So, we were able to relax and swim in the lake. We treated ourselves to two very pleasant and relaxing days at the beautiful campsite, which is particularly popular for its infinity pool with a wonderful view of the entire lake.

Just before we leave in the evening, we check the tires once again. Unfortunately, the rear tire seems to be quite flat and has actually lost some air. (instead of 40 PSI, it was only 15 PSI) Moritz promptly fetched the spare tire from the van and changed the tire. The evening drive was exciting again as the animals were particularly active. This time, however, there were hundreds of toads and we drove slowly, slaloming around them. The birds were also sitting cheerfully in the middle of the road. Unfortunately, they only flew away very low, with one barely flying above our roof. That definitely woke us up. We were also able to observe a cute little owl. After 2 hours, we were both so exhausted that we decided to find a campsite and continue driving tomorrow.

The next morning, after just a few kilometers, we reached the border to the Northern Territory. Incredible, we have already driven through four states. Since Melbourne, the odometer has increased by 10,000 kilometers. The time also changes from a 7-hour difference to an 8 hours and 30 minutes difference from German time. We choose the shortest route and unfortunately have a bad experience. The highway goes straight ahead and the short route suggested by Google Maps turns right. So, we turn right onto a road that is just as well-paved as the highway. But after 150 km, the road intersects and we can only continue to our destination on a 190 km long gravel road. Unfortunately, the road is so bad in some parts that we can only drive at 20 km/h. After about 3 hours on the gravel road and already 7 hours of driving before that, we check into a motel to get a good night's sleep again. (the last nights in the campervan have still been extremely warm and partly sleepless) We were very relieved that our tires survived the gravel road well. During a small dinner at the roadhouse, we got talking to some Australians and they warned us about the Aboriginal people in Tennant Creek. They said they were very rough and drunk, and we should be careful. We had been seeing more and more Aboriginal people in the small towns, especially from Halls Creek onwards. The supermarkets were full and there was constant coming and going. The supermarkets and the few shops all had bars on the windows and were surrounded by high fences. The Aboriginal people definitely stand out. In Tennant Creek, it’s exactly like in Halls Creek. There are many Aboriginal people on the street, sitting in groups on the meadows or going in and out of the supermarkets. They wear dirty clothes and some of them walk around barefoot. They actually look homeless. We have been told several times that they steal a lot. But it is partly tolerated by the shop owners, or they just look the other way. In Tennant Creek, we find a motel where we feel safe. Tomorrow we will make our way to the farm, our last stop for the next 3 months.