Barkly Highway

Hi . While near Kakadu check Escarpement and Rock paintings near the border store at Ubbirr , Merle campsite nearby was reasonable when I was there in 05 and 06 Other places to check on computer are Adelaide R War cemetery ,Pine Ck , Katherine Gorge , Materanka , Never Never graves at Elsey ,Daley Waters pub , turn off to Borroloola and Bung Bong on the Gulf back to Cape Crawford to Barkly Homestead ,Cloncurry ,Blue Heeler Hotel at Kynuna , Combo Waterhole of Waltzing Matilda fame ,Winton , Longreach , Barcaldine , Blackall also Nindigully pub if travelling that way . I did not visit Walkabout Hotel at McKinlay . There are plenty of historic and scenic sites to see . have an enjoyable trip .

Have you been to Lawn Hill Stu? More than a day trip, but lovely for a couple of days or so. Nothing really special between Camooweal and the Stuart Highway. You have a lot to fit into eight weeks.

Motherhen

Stu,
You can turn off at the Daly waters roadhouse and go through to Cape Crawford. If you stay there you can do a day trip up to the lost city. This is well worth the drive.

Then carry on down to the Barkley roadhouse. Distance wise it is about the same as going via the Stuart and along the Barkley.

The Heartbreak Hotel at Cape Crawford is a good spot for a cool drink and to stay.

Just be careful of the few K's to the west and a few K's to the south of Cape Crawford as the road is narrow and is used by roadtrains.

Hi Stu
We are currently in Darwin and have driven from Newcastle 2 months ago travelling with 3 children (6,7,10) and have been to ; Barraba, St George, Roma, Charleville went to the Cosmos Centre, School of Air and the BOM ( weather info) Longreach went on the Kinnon Co coach ride excellent, Qantas museum, Stockmans Fame not really for children for any longer than an hour or so, Winton ,Matilda Centre good, went Hughenden, Richmond , Julia Creek all little towns then onto Mt Isa didn't like much, Barkly Homestead, Alice, Ayres Rock, Olgas, Kings Canyon big walk for little kids, back to Alice, Mataranka lovely, Katherine, Litchfield Ok, Katherine now if you want to do the 2 gorge trip $75/A $42/C ! Then here onto Jabiru then West Coast. All i can tell you that it is a bloody long way with lots of driving and not much to see in between, fuel prices $1.60- $2.35, caravan parks $40-$50/night they don't miss charging for the little ones. Stock up with food and beer in the towns with a Woolies or Coles and use your fuel vouchers. Think carefully about your trip with the kids, remember lots of time in the car. If you would like more info reply with email.
Regards
Richard

Stu,

Unless you've got a thing for spinifex, snappy gum and blue skies, the Barkly Highway doesn't have a lot going for it - except the Camooweal Caves.



But there is one exception - Barry Caves. These are situated to the south of the highway, approximately 5 kms east of the Barry Caves truck parking bay. After passing the Wunara Community, and the now defunct store and toilets, you pass the parking bay, then the h'way swings to right, before sweeping to the left a few clicks further on. There is an unmarked parking bay here too. A few hundred metres past this spot, is a pair of wheel tracks, heading towards a dome shaped hill.The caves are on the southern side of the hill.

Would have been a popular spot for the Aboriginals during heavy rain events, the cave/s are quite large, and are, from memory, 5 or 6 metres deep.

Camooweal Caves are worth a look too, but are more like sink holes, rather then caves. there are deep, and quite impressive.

Safe travels,
Bob.