23-Jul-2009 --

While returning from a camping trip in the Kimberley in WA to our home on the Sunshine Coast, 100km north of Brisbane, I had my eye on the map for some confluences that had not been done. After camping at Marella Gorge we drove by the Duncan Road and Buntine Highway, crossing the WA/NT border.

We passed several confluences as we drove to Kalkarindji and Top Springs but they weren’t near any cattle stations that we needed for permission and access. After a coffee at Top Springs we headed east on the Buchanan Highway, a good gravel road.

About 40 km east of Top Springs a dirt road led off towards the confluence at 17S  132E, 36 km away. It was in good condition but not signed. We thought we would give it a go with sunset approaching. We hoped to pass a station to ask directions but saw no-one at all.

As it was the dirt road followed a fence line with a few turns and it was well graded, finally taking us to 1.7 km from the confluence. The countryside was open grassland with strands of stunted trees, the grass quite high after the good rainfall from the wet season several months before.

Walking to the confluence was fairly easy except for a few patches of particularly high grass. We took the photos before the light failed, but it was too dark for a good group shot at the end. We made our way slowly back in the dark, avoiding tree stumps and termite mounds and startling kangaroos with our camping torches.

Using the breadcrumb on the GPS to take us back, it was a relief when the car keys were in range to light up the car in the gloom. A great way to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.

We finished driving to the Stuart Highway, dodging kangaroos and cattle along the way and arriving at the Dunmarra roadhouse about 10.30 PM.

The next day we made successful visits to 18°S134°E visit #1 and 18°S136°E visit #1