Into the outback

(Note to those who are following along...I have just added some photos to the Broome posting)

April 24, 2010
Heading east on the Great Northern Highway we both felt the relief of returning to the outback. Even a town of 20,000 was beginning to feel too urban.

We spent our first night in campsite behind the roadhouse at the Willare River. Kangaroos timidly ventured onto the well irrigated grass at sunset. As we slept the sound of the crickets and the cicadas almost drowned out the growl of the generator.

Packed up and rolling again at 6:20 AM – an absurdly early start but the best way to beat the heat. A long day’s drive ahead. We listen to stories on my iPod and are mesmerized by the red sand and termite hills- multiple monoliths standing two to four feet tall. Clumps of cattle appear randomly looking dull and bored as they range the large ranches that define much of the region’s economy and lifestyle. Boab trees - fat, old and gangly- scattered across the baked landscape.

At the end of the day we left the highway and drove south on a dirt track for two hours in order to reach Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park. The setting sun turned the distant ridge a warm glowing red as we approached.

Photos along the road...

Into the outback