8 – 10 June 2022. 12670kms.
Miriwoong & Gajirrabeng Country.
Sometimes a good camp is just the tonic. Farewelling WA was a milestone moment, such huge section of our trip, so many far flung spectacular places long desired, now experienced and logged in our memory bank. Entering the NT brought a different vibe, a return to more familiar country and the promise of meeting up with family. But with one down with Covid, we needed a spot to isolate and recuperate. Keep River was just that. A place of unexpected beauty and magic. Sometimes referred to as the mini Bungle Bungles, we’d found a quiet campsite with only a few other campers, right by a spectacular and perhaps sacred site. Our time here was spent sleeping in the swag under the stars (including the girls, which perhaps kept the virus from them), bushwalking, identifying birdlife, campfire dinners, discovering an ancient hawk catching stone structure and chilling out.
We battled a few camping shenanigans. Apparently everyone faces these. Our second gas strut (not a term we knew before the trip started) on the camper had now failed, and rookies that we are, we were left wondering how in hell we would wind up and down the camper with our mere muscles. Luckily a neighbouring camper tipped us off that setting up a second winch with the just-in-case rope we brought would do the trick (the things you learn!). Time was also spent driving the 20km dirt road to and from the highway to find reception, to discuss with soon-to-visit Sydney family how we might deal with the covid situation and to liaise with Cub re the struts. Such is life on the road! Oh, and I also tested positive.
Shenanigans to one side, Keep River had a great feel – our Liyanns were assured this was a special place.
Passing the time during camper setup
