TOD TOUR 2.0 Day 38 - Camooweal to Barkly Homestead

Buck you bastard, buck

Fuel, up this way, creates quite a shock at the bowser. Unleaded 95 was 1.87c/L when we filled in Camooweal this morning, although having driven this track twice before, I know bigger shocks await.

I had a run in with Camooweal's famous Bullaroo not long after, trying my hardest to recreate the deeds of rodeo riders but instead looking more like a rodeo clown.

A few minutes drive and Queensland was behind us. We stopped for the obligatory photo of the border sign. The Queensland sign behind us was neat, tidy and to the point. The NT sign was heavily defaced and covered in tags and a bizarre collection of stickers. I determined not to stand still for too long.

The 260km drive was uneventful, generally flat and without the headwind that signs warned us of and we arrived shortly after noon. Barkly Homestead - a fancier name that Barkly Roadhouse but basically the same thing - has certainly changed since 1995, when we stopped here for fuel on the Australia Under Canvas Tour with our three children. Actually, follow the link for an interesting comparison with today. On that day, we stopped for fuel at Barkly and I was complaining about paying "an exorbitant 95c/L. The fuel pump read 209.9c/L when we pulled up today. In the 1995 report I am bragging about our best fuel consumption figures for the trip of 12.9L/100km. Today, I average 10.8. A more than two litre/100km better result for an engine nearly 40% less capacity and towing a vehicle that is twice as heavy!

Powered sites are near full at Barkly Homestead

The van sites at Barkly are red dirt, but we have power and water and good ablutions (they were amenities in Qld). There is a well maintained pool but the water is still too cold for swimming. The roadhouse has a restaurant, a bar and the obligatory gift shop. Motel units are also available.

In 1995, there was a lot less on offer in terms of facilities and service. We were so unimpressed after '95, that we filled a jerry can in Mt Isa in 2008 and drove straight past in what would prove to be a disastrously long day, when accommodation fell through and we were forced to drive 800km.

Click for today's photos

Apart from the sound of the generators which power the roadhouse - some days using 700L of diesel - its a quiet night as largely full campground settles down. No TV or radio reception so a quiet Saturday night.