We didn’t have very far to travel the next day, so in the cool of the morning we had a bit of a look around Banka Banka.
The historic homestead is constructed of mud brick with the deep low verandah protecting the walls as well as providing much needed shade and protection from the rain. It is heritage listed.
Inside consists of just three rooms, which didn’t even have a ceiling, One room is now used as a bar and souvenir shop, so has had a ceiling added. The property is owned by the local aboriginals. The grazing rights are leased out.
The outbuildings are interesting as well.
There is a lookout that you can walk to.
You can see for miles and miles across the Barkley Tablelands.
Back down at the campground, Mick patted their pet Brahman steer.
The bright entrance to the amenities area made good use of a defunct windmill.
Back on the road, we had our lunch at the Dunmarra Roadhouse, as we had heard that they bake the best vanilla slices and meat pies.
Well, they didn’t bake any pies that day, but they had yummy home made sausage rolls and yes, their vanilla slice was one of the very best we have tasted.
There was a huge windmill over the road.
Our destination for the day was the Daly Waters Pub, a famous pub that we couldn’t miss visiting. Camp sites are first in, best dressed. I stood behind a lady who was allocated the last three powered sites. Bugga!! No worries, there were plenty of unpowered sites and we had lovely neighbours.
It is the longest continually licensed pub in the Northern Territory, since 1938. However, it has been selling alcohol to travellers and drovers since the 1880s without a licence.
Let’s just say it’s quirky.
I’ll interpret if necessary.
The pub was packed in the evening, but once again, you didn’t feel crowded. The staff were flat out, but cool and calm. It had a lovely relaxed vibe.
The weather was now really heating up, reaching the mid 30s each day. Therefore, we were very surprised, but very pleased to see that there was a pool area out the back of the pub and we had our first swim for the trip. It was the first night that the temperature didn’t cool down and we had the fan on all night.
Over the road there was the fuel station, which was cheaper than on the highway, and “Tim’s Junkyard”. We didn’t pay to go in, but what as outside was interesting enough.
They even have “Kevin” the pet salt water croc. The first we have seen. He was purchased as a 60cm juvenile and is now about 7 years old and 2.2 metres long, according to the sign, which looked quite old. So he’s probably bigger now.
Once again, there was next to no internet access, with only texts being able to be received and occasionally sent.
The highlight of the day was of course the pub and in particular the pool.
1 comment:
Looks like an interesting place.
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