Nitmiluk National Park - Leilyn (Edith Falls) Campground

 6 -8 July 2022

We left Pine Creek and stopped at a couple of spots along the way where we might find some birds to photograph. One was just off the highway but we couldn't figure out how to get down to the river and the other was on the road into Leilyn. Mick had been to a spot that we think is known as Dead Woman Waterhole before, so he knew we could get in with the camper trailer.

This waterhole is only a little way in from the main road, with a loop track at the end. There was water and a few birds so we stayed a while, and finished up with morning tea before setting off for the campground. 

As we had expected, it was full with many families enjoying the natural surrounds. Our spot was, once again, not ideal, but was better than the one we'd had previously. The layout and orientation of many of the campsites makes them difficult to get into. The sizes on the map may be accurate but the length given for some is actually the width. Hopefully someone in NT National Parks will fix this as it makes it a bit tricky when booking using the new online system.

Although the sun was shining, there was a cold wind blowing so swimming was not on our agenda this visit. We did walk down to the pool and there were some brave souls in the water. We opted for an ice cream from the cafe instead. 

We rose early the next morning to go back to the waterhole. Mick wanted me there as spotter as he had heard dingoes during the night and was a bit worried about sitting there all alone in his throw-over hide. We spent a good while there then drove back down to the free camp near the highway where he had previously seen Gouldian Finches. We didn't stop this time as it was absolutely packed with caravans and other campers. Back at our camp we relaxed away the rest of the day, with Mick doing some more photo editing. 

We had a leisurely final morning, with Mick spending some time with the camera in the campground and day use area before having morning tea once we were packed up. We then set off for Katherine where we were to spend the next week.

Marla, Erldunda and Curtin Springs

Marla

23 - 24 April 2022

We had 4 nights to fill in between leaving Coober Pedy and our booking at Yulara (Ayers Rock Campground) so we set off with a bit of a plan - and the ability to be flexible. Driving north we stopped at Cadney Park Homestead (Roadhouse) and bought lunch. We'd seen the campground coming in and it didn't look too appealing so we decided to keep going. Rain was forecast but it didn't look like there would be much and it seemed that the chance lessened further north.

We pulled in to Marla and the campground looked nice so we decided that would do us nicely. Marla has only existed as a town since 1981, when the roadhouse was established. We checked in and were directed to the campground where we set up in the unpowered section. As with most places, unpowered was a bit of a free-for-all but we eventually settled on a nice spot beside some green grass. We went for a drive to have a look for birds out near the airstrip and returned home to find the weather forecast had been changed and that more rain was predicted to fall overnight.

We only heard a few light spots of rain overnight and weren't too concerned to see that the forecast now indicated thunderstorms. We couldn't see any rain on the BoM radar - even though it was raining when we climbed out of bed. Unfortunately we had left it too late and the promised thunderstorm was fast approaching. We quickly made a cup of tea and beat a hasty retreat into the car - there was lightening around so we didn't want to be sitting in the camper. Eventually the worst of the storm passed and we waited a while but had to pack up in the rain. It's not easy folding in all the canvas when it is wet - lucky we don't have to do it very often.

From Marla we continued north and the clouds cleared ahead of us, but it was very black to the south and east of us. We stopped to make a cup of coffee at The Marryat Creek Rest Area then contiued to SA/NT Border rest stop. Between the border rest area and Port Augusta there is only one rest area with toilets - Bon Bon. It's no wonder Bon Bon is so popular and the toilets in need of some maintenance. Surely it's not too much to expect a toilet stop (without having to be paying customer at a roadhouse) every few hundred kilometres?

From there we continued on to Erldunda Roadhouse at the turn-off to Yulara.

Erldunda

24 - 26 April 2022

We had planned two nights in Erldunda because there is a particularly birdy spot about 20km north. We arrived just on lunch time and checked in. You can choose your own site so we selected one with some nice shade. We settled in and enjoyed a relaxed afternoon while the canvas dried out. We walked up to the sunset lookout and saw lots of black clouds around. We hoped we wouldn't get rained on again.

We were up early the next morning to go chasing birds. We found the spot and Mick spend a couple of hours traipsing around with the camera in hand. Then it was back home for another restful day. Erldunda is a very popular overnight spot and we were one of only about three who were staying longer.

We still had one night to kill before our booking at Yulara so we headed off for Curtin Springs for another overnighter.

Curtin Springs

26 - 27 April 2022

We headed west from Erldunda towards Curtin Springs and made a couple of stops along the way. The first was a roadside rest area where we had a cup of coffee and a quick look around. The second was at the Mount Conner Lookout Rest Area. This one has toilets and a good view of Mount Conner. Walking up the dune across the road reveals a huge salt lake. Most travellers don't know that it's there. It's well worth the climb.

From there we continued on the short distance to Curtin Springs. This is a popular spot that offers free unpowered camping. Some people stay and do day trips in to see Uluru. There is a roadhouse, shop, bar and bistro. To stay all you need to do is check in at the shop, where a map and explanation of where you can camp is provided. We found a spot near a tree that provided some good shade through the afternoon.

Because we only had a short distance to travel to Yulara we had a lazy morning and didn't leave until mid-morning.