Big Nanny's Aussie Adventure: Broome to Derby

I did my washing before I left Broome yesterday morning and then travelled 106km to the Nillibubbica Rest stop. As soon as I got there I hung my washing on the clothes line which attaches to the side of the van and it dried in no time in the breeze.

This morning I travelled 114km along the Great Northern Highway and arrived in Derby late morning. First of all I visited the old boab tree jail which was supposedly used for holding aboriginals well over a hundred years ago, then I headed for the pier and had grilled barramundi and chips for lunch while I gazed out over the mud flats towards the mouth of the Fitzroy River. Derby experiences some of the highest tides in the world and I intend to return later on to watch the tide come in – well worth seeing according to the locals. The main street of Derby is quite unusual with boab trees lining the centre medium strip.

Along the Great Northern Highway it is not unusual to see cattle grazing along the edge of the road as there are no fences to keep them in. It is difficult to see them as you drive along because of the thick scrub, but the side verges of the highway are cleared to about 5 metres either side which makes it easier to see them when they come out of the bush ahead of you.

I had to slow down to avoid a big grey Brahman bull which strolled across the road in front of me this morning, but a couple of kilometres further down the highway a chap towing a caravan wasn’t so lucky and he hit one. It had only just happened before I passed and his wife was hysterical. The poor animal appeared to be still alive. A couple of other travellers had pulled up to help so I didn’t stop. It was very distressing. I usually cruise along at about 85km per hour, but I drove even slower after witnessing that.

Derby is about 50km off the Great Northern Highway so I am staying in a caravan park tonight before heading. back on to the highway tomorrow.

Boab tree prison.