Daly Waters to Kunjarra - 384

Daly Waters to Newcastle Waters  - 121km

Newcastle Waters to Banka Banka Station  - 173km

Banka Banka to Kunjarra  -  90km

I left late Wednesday morning from Daly Waters and stopped for the night at the next rest stop, Newcastle Waters, which was on a hilltop overlooking a valley.   A young couple from Belgium was camped nearby, and they mentioned that they hadn’t seen any kangaroos.  I was standing looking out over the valley when I heard the thump, thump of approaching kangaroos.  I called out to the couple to come quickly, but the kangaroos disappeared into the bush before they had the chance to see them.  They then spent the rest of the afternoon watching out for them, but unfortunately there were no more to be seen, so they are still disappointed.

On Thursday I travelled  173km to the Banka Banka Station.   With a constant supply of natural spring water and nice grassy areas to camp on I found myself a nice spot and then sat in the shade for the afternoon.   With the temperature hovering around 26 degrees it was a beautiful day, much more bearable than the constant 30 plus temperatures further North.  Later in the afternoon I took Oscar for a walk up the hill behind the station so I could take some photos.  

Today - Friday.  It was so nice at Banka Banka that I was tempted to stay another night, but the thought of home and the urge to move on was too strong.  I did a load of washing before I left, so I pulled up at a rest stop which was about 40km down the road and hung it out to dry.   With the sun and strong warm breeze blowing it was dry within half an hour and I continued on to my stop for the night - Kunjarra.

Kunjarra, or "The Pebbles" is a sacred site about 6 km off the highway where, in their dream time, Warumungu Aboriginal women danced the Munga Munga Dreaming around the granite boulders.  Apparently it is a very special place to be at dusk.  

Old overland telegraph pole circa 1870.

View across valley from Newcastle Waters rest stop.

An old out building and one of many pieces of old farm equipment laying around at Banka Banka Station.

An restored outbuilding at Banka Banka Station - over 100 years old.

Looking over Banka Banka Station campground from hilltop.

Monument beside the highway commemorating Constable John Shirley who died whilst performing his duties in 1883.

 Kunjarra - The Pebbles.

Kunjarra - The Pebbles

My very dusty camp spot for the night at Kunjarra.