Tuesday 1st March 2022
We woke up after a relatively good night sleep. Getting out of bed at 7am to leave our camp by 830am.
We were in for a big day with 330km to cover. We usually drive around 95km/hr on the highway to allow for better fuel economy, less wind buffeting and less caravan sway. So on a 130km/hr road, it takes a bit longer to get places.
We drove along the Stuart Highway, stopping at Daly Waters to fill petrol, feed Charlotte and have a stretch.
The drive along the Stuart Highway can appear to be very mundane and repetitive. When you look closely you can see the constantly changing landscape. From tall gum trees, changing to short mallee scrub. You quickly can tell what was ancient lakes, rivers and mountainous areas. The trees give us a hint at what the ground beneath them once was. With this in mind, the landscape takes on new meaning and it’s fascinating to watch the changes along the journey.
We then drove on to Elliot. Here we stopped to have lunch in the van. Madeline played with her toys and we fed Charlotte.
We headed off again for another 1 hr drive arriving at Renner Springs Desert Inn around 2pm.
We parked, set up and went to get a cold beer at the pub. Jason had a good conversation, with a trucker named Tom, about the Rabbitohs. Madeline had a drink of ice cold water and a packet of Doritos. Eva held Charlotte while she slept.
We then cooked dinner at the van and got an early night sleep.
Renner Springs
Renner Springs is a location in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is in the heart of the cattle country. In fact, the town promotes itself as “The Heart of the Beef Country.”
Like so many places along the Stuart Highway, it owes its origins to the Australian Overland Telegraph Line. It was named after Dr. Frederick Renner, who was the medical doctor accompanying, and looking after, the men who constructed the Overland Telegraph Line when they passed through the springs in 1872.
These freshwater springs, which bubble up from underground, helped the area surrounding Renner Springs achieve its importance because they provided water to the area.
Tomorrow
We drive through Tennant Creek and to The Devils Marbles.
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