Outback Australia
6th June – Mitchell Falls
We have been told that it the “Worst road in the whole of Australia” and I have no reason to doubt that claim. The Karunjie track is a highway by comparison. If these vehicles have been here very often it really does explain their condition. Bang, thump, judder and that's the smooth bits.I gather the experience was amplified in the other truck when Dave took a swallow of his iced coffee drink (a concoction involving milk and coffee flavour) that had not been in the refrigerator. One lump or two?
Birgit suggests that the track to the Falls will take two hours or three at the start of the season. We took three and a half. The grader was working but that seemed to have made it worse not better.
Arriving at noon we have opted for a walk to the Falls with a helicopter flight back but that's going to be a stretch today as the last flight available today is at 3:15. There's also been a yoghurt disaster in the fridge, stuff needs to be stored properly otherwise
the 'fridge acts like a tumble dryer. A brief pause for thought suggests that we should spend the night here and do the walk to the Falls in the morning when it will be a) cooler and b) not so much of a rush. We might just as well enjoy it?We'd like to get back to the King Edward River tomorrow evening then we really will be back on schedule. The other truck will be heading for Drysdale tomorrow which will be a very full day for them but they are on a different return schedule.
Our revised plan for the afternoon includes a little laundry, divvying up the provisions and a stroll to the river for a dip.
Later.
The Little Mertens Falls is a great spot to visit for a touch of culture with the Aboriginal cave paintings, standing under the falls and a swim in the pools at the top. Hugely entertaining and refreshing.