Barry Caves Roadhouse NT did it exist?

Hi Oldsquizzy, From what I can remember, it was not just the fuel that was expensive..... I think he was trying to cash in on everything. But back then you didn't have much choice. We did the same trip once again about a month ago & it seemed so easy compared to back then. Thanks for you reply.

Peter,
Glad I didn't stay overnight then. I ended up buying a jerrycan of fuel from another vehicle & got on my way after being stuck there all day. How times have changed!

Can you please advise approximately where this Barry Caves was located?

Hi Doug,
At the time I first went through Frewena was already gone, although it was still marked on my maps. I'll bet you wont find any mention of either of them on the newer maps now. The character of those places is what I remember....... Something's not the same about these trips today. But stories like your "sleepy driver" should be told to keep the history of these places alive.
Thanks for the memories!

PMK
Another 2 Quickies for Frewena, was having a meal there one night and the generator went off, so they lit candles , then the bloody Christmas Beetles started dropping onto the plate , All you could do was flick em out with the knife and keep eating,

Oh yeh then there was the Dwarf called Lofty that was the gardener,he wore a huge cowboy hat, someone upset him one night and he up onto a chair and dropped the bloke before he knew what hit him,

Bob,

Thanks for the info, the place is a liitle more known of than I expected. The name Fred does ring a bell although it was a long time ago & I can't be sure.
The track out to the caves is still there. We went past it in July this year. Had a quick look on previous trips, but I wouldn't say it was worth the stop.
This is good, we are starting to paint a picture of what the place was really like..... Thanks you are prompting my memory.
PMK

PMK,

Another time I was there, the old fellar conned some blokes to unload a D9 off their float, for a carton of beer, and fill in, or tidy up a mess that was the remains of a burnt-down building. They were scratching around when I left, but always wondered if they got their carton.

Beer was about $8-$10 a carton then, and D9 hourly rate would have been heaps dearer than that!

Hooroo...

Hi Bruce & Anne,
Yep ! It's all coming back to me now, although I must say I do miss these types of outback experiences nowadays. It's getting all too easy now.
PMK

Good thinking PMK putting this thread up, as I said I have another good story about the people I was with when we pulled in to Frewena. Might start another thread sometime heading "Most unusual thing you have seen on an out back trip".
Cheers Bruce.

Bruce & Anne,

Yep, Its nice to have a topic that prompts your memories.......
Your idea sounds good.... I watch out for unsual stories.
I still have a couple more questions up my sleeve about "older times" myself. You will just have to wait & see.
PMK

Bruce & Annne,

Freweena used to have a sign inside the bar, this is back in mid-60's, that said "In case of fire, lift flap".Well, I wasn't gullible(at that time) to do this, so was delighted when some time later, a tourist came in and did this.

Under the flap was written: "Not now, Stupid, in case of fire" The sign was in a position where everyone could see if you made a fool of yourself.

Another time we were camped about 20 clicks north @ No.7 Bore. I was included in a foray, with 3 or 4 other blokes, onto Alroy downs to attempt to bring back a bull who had jumped the fence. We found the bull, who proved to in a mood that wasn't too congenial, and he was left there. One bloke, Mick Hay, got off on foot with a hobble chain, to intice the angry gent to vacant his position, but after a roll in the sand, we left the bull, and went across to Freweena, only a few K's away.

Spent an hour or so there, and came away loaded with chocolates, lollies and some beautiful Granny Smith apples. Tied up the sleeves in a cardigan, to cart all this loot back to camp. S'pose we tied the horses out the back of the roadhouse, don't really remember that part.

Bloody hell, I was only 18 then.

hooroo...

George,
Sounds like a very similar experience to mine, The guy was obviously trying to make as much as possible out of the traveller.

PMK

George,
Sounds like a very similar experience to mine, The guy was obviously trying to make as much as possible out of the traveller.

PMK

Hi Richard,
Some pics would be good, I have recieved a lot of stoies about the place which have described it as I remember, but to actually see a photo would be great. I am about to post a new entry on this subject with a map showing Barry Caves & Frewena's locations & some photos of the actual caves themselves. Once I can figure out how to do it.
PMK