The NT Nomads: Lake Dunn 11/06/2010 to 21/06/2010

When we were at Dartmoor (Vic) back in March we met Pat and Mick who said they were going to Lake Dunn. This wonderful camping spot is not on any maps or in the " Bible". Pat said that it had a nice amenities block with hot showers and the lake usually had water in it. She expected wiht all the rain that they had had up north that there would be plenty of water in it. It sounded such a nice place that we decided it was worth a look and it fitted in wiht our plans for wandering around that area.

When we were at Barcaldine we started to meet people who had been there and they advised us that it was very nice and that the road was sealed all the way . The maps showed an unsealed road. We aslo heard stories about Tennis courts etc and that power was available for $5 a night. Fresh water was also avaiable at various places and that the cabins afforded great views over the lake for sundowners.

We set off from the weir at Barcaldine and then stopped off intown to stock up on groceries as we planned to stay a while. On our way we stopped at Aramac for a quick look around before heading out.
It was a nice drive there and we passed through some interesting counttryside.

When we arrived we were pleasantly susurprised to find ther were quite a few other people there but there was still room for us on a powered spot. We had a lovely outlook over the back wetland area which was often busy wiht different bird and there was always ducks and grebes around.

The first night we were there we were treated to a magnificent sunset which kept on changing in colour and formation as the clouds moved. We went up onto the deck of a nearby cabin and had a perfect view.

I had started to go for morning walks so one day I went off to find the famous tennis courts which I was told were down the road a bit and the turnoff was at the crossed tennis raquets. I found it easily enough and had a peasant walk to the "desert recreation club". Where I found the tennis courts, bar facilities, cricket pitch and bbq facilites all just waiting to be used by the locals who come out aminly during the summer months to fish etc.

Crossed raquets

The Desert Recreation Clubhouse

While we were at Lake Dunn we took the opportunity on a day that wasn't so nice weatherwise to go to Muttaburra. We weren't very impressed with the town finding it very dusty and untidy and rundown , particulalry when compared with Aramac which was green and tidy. However we did find the dinosor.

Lynn and Mutt

On our return from our daytrip we were surprised to find a couple from the weir were set up across the road from us. The next day Dave and Jan also from the weir arrived and parked in the same area. this led to a great time . Les was a keen fisherman and had his boat but didn't use it instead he spent a lot of time over at the back billabong getting yabbies. There were some others from Vic who had a boat and brought back lots of shrimp which they shared wiht us so everyone had lots to eat but they were fiddly to peel.

one of Les''s yabbies

Jan and Elaine peeling shrimp

As we were allowed fires and there was lots of wood easily collected. We all cooked meals in camp ovens . Morning teas for a few days were really special as we had damper, scones and fruit cake all cooked in camp ovens.

My scones before they were cut up.

The men found that filling the water tanks on the rigs was best done as a joint effort so they would connect up enough hose to reach all the rigs and then one by one fill them up.

Towards the end of the week another coule from Vic arrived and Len also had a boat. After going out several times with his wife he offered to take Dave out. Dave is in a wheelchair as he is a paraplegic from a chopper accident. It sure doesn't slow him down too much.Much to Jan ( his wife ) amazment he accepted the offer and wiht a little effort he got into the boat. Fotunately it was a punt with a flat bottom which was run up onto the sand and was quite stable for him to get into.