NT-Ross River Resort

We stayed here for three nights while we spent day trips to the magnificent East Macdonnell Ranges.
The campsite, with powered and non-powered sites, was in a beautiful position with stunning surrounding cliffs but the amenities and general maintenance of the park is very poor. The electricity is by generator that is sometimes on and sometimes off. The mesh over the eating areas is falling down and torn. The entire camping area is neglected. The reception person wasn’t very welcoming either.
The resort has cabins, a bar, restaurant and a pool.(Hopefully the cabins are better cared for)
It is such a shame because this is in a spectacular area and could be a great park. This is the only park that you can take a caravan into so you don’t have much choice if you want to stay in the East Macdonnells.

Ross River Resort
Ross Hwy
Ph: 08 8956 9711
www.rossriverresort.com.au

NT - Gemtree

Gemtree is situated 69klms on sealed road, off the Stuart Hwy. This turnoff is 68klms north of Alice Springs.
There are large powered and non powered sites as well as a few cabins. Most sites share a fire pit and as the nights were rather cool, sitting by a fire at the end of a tiring day digging for garnets, was very welcoming. All the sites are dirt but there are a few shade trees and some scrub.
One morning we joined a tag-along tour to the gem fields which are about half hours drive away. Mike did most of the digging and we both sifted piles of red dirt and rocks and found 17 garnets big enough to have cut so we were delighted. Mind you, it will probably cost us more to have them cut than the actual gems are worth. But, we had loads of fun and things like this are always a great experience.
They have jewelers on site so that you can have your stones cut and set if you wish.
There is fuel, a few basic grocery items and some take away food. Everybody here was very friendly and they have worked hard making the place interesting. There is a golf course,( no grass or sand though) nature walk, and a man made billabong.

Gemtree Bish Caravan Park
Plenty Hwy,
Ph: 08 8956 9855
email:gemtree@gemtree.com.au

NT - Donner Well

This is a free camp number 31 on the Hema Maps, 95 km north of Alice Springs on the Stuart Hwy.
It is a rest area beside the road with water but no facilities. The area has several tables and chairs and one under cover. We had a fire, a wonderful night an once again met some lovely people.
This was the first time that we had seen the Mulga parrot so I spent lots of time trying to take a photograph.

NT - Wycliffe Well

This is a BIG 4 park on the Stuart Hwy south of Tennant Creek and Devils Marbles. Apparently there have been UFO sightings in the area so the park has embraced it with UFO paintings on the walls of many of the buildings and fences. There are also statues of super heroes around the grounds. An interesting mix - UFO’s and super heroes! There are emus, donkeys and a few bird avery’s to view while you walk around the park. Many beautiful parrots fly around freely.
There is an indoor pool which is refreshing to say the least.
The restaurant has a Chinese chef making some lovely dishes as well as western food. A small shop caters for some basic food items, fuel and alcohol.
We stayed here for two nights catching up on washing and general cleaning and maintenance.

Wycliffe Well Holiday Park
Stuart Hwy, Wycliffe Well, NT 0862
Ph: 08 8964 1966
www.wycliffe.com.au

NT - Barkly Homestead

Barkly Homestead is 261 klms west of Camooweal on the Barkly Hwy and our first taste of the Northern Territory hospitality. This is a roadhouse and a camping ground. We decided to spend the night here as they had a swimming pool and some grass sites for $24.00 per powered site.
We had a lovely spot beside a pepper tree and close to one of the several amenities blocks. Everything was old but clean.
The bonus for me was $12.00 roast beef and vegetable dinner for campers. Count us in. It was delicious, roast beef, mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and gravy. Why would you cook? The restaurant and bar was packed. It always amazes me, out here in the middle of nowhere. Where do all the people come from?
Great stay.

Qld - Camooweal

As you leave Camooweal heading west, turn onto the gravel road as soon as you have crossed the bridge for a beautiful free camp.
There are many parking places along the water holes. When we were there in September the water was starting to dry up but the water lilies were beginning to bloom. We had a beautiful spot right by the water and watched the brolgas and other bird life come and go all afternoon and also again in the morning.
There are no facilities so you do need to be self sufficient.
This is not on the hema maps, we heard about this from other travelers.

Qld _ Mt Isa

There are numerous caravan parks at Mt Isa. We chose this one purely on the size of the swimming pool. While there, each day was in the high 30’s so we knew we would be spending a reasonable amount of time in it.
The Mt Isa Caravan Park is the second park on your right as you enter the town from Cloncurry. The facilities are clean and you need a key for all everything. Even the dump station and laundry are locked. Most sites have shade and there are a few grassed sites.
The park is $25.00 per night for a powered site and across the road from the IGA which made food shopping very handy.

Mount Isa Caravan Park
112 Marian St, Mt Isa, Qld.4825
Phone: 07 4743 3252
www.mtisacaravanpark.com.au