The next part of our trip involved backtracking from Darwin to Katherine and then heading west on the Victoria Highway to the junction with the Duncan Highway. It would be a long day and most unlikely we would reach the junction before dusk.
That assessment proved correct and by 3:30pm we were looking for a suitable campsite away from the road. This proved to be more difficult than anticipated as all the side roads had locked gates and both sides of the highway were fenced. Eventually we found a spot set back from the road adjacent to a road train rest area.
By now Carlin had realised if he wanted to eat well he would need to do all the cooking. Nothing was said, but he assumed the role of cook whilst I was content to wash pots, pans and dishes.
Another great sunset
The photos don't do justice to the vivid orange sky.
The following morning we were less than an hour into the journey when we reached the Victoria River Roadhouse. The roadhouse caravan park appeared to be full of Grey Nomads. My preference is to be solo in a free campsite
Something appears to have changed in the roadhouse domestic partnership
The Victoria River delineates a change in topography from the flat plains of the previous day to hills
However it didn't last. Although the flora changed and we started to see more Boab trees
On reaching the Duncan Highway we noticed a large sign stating entry was restricted and a permit was required. Proof of COVID vaccination was also required. With any breaches of the requirements be prosecuted to the fullest extent in the High Court of Australia.
The Duncan Highway is a public road (actually a track!). I considered this sign to be either a bluff in an effort to prevent the public from using the road or it was only applicable to the cattle station adjacent to the road. We ignored it!
The Duncan Highway has numerous water crossings and a change in flora.
Carlin was driving and each time we reached a water crossing he would ensure 4WD was engaged before placing the vehicle in 1st gear and removing his foot from the accelerator. The vehicle then walked itself across in idle.
At the southern end of the road I heard a loud bang and asked Carlin "What was that?" Nothing appeared to be wrong with either the vehicle or trailer and we assumed it was a stone that had been flicked out by a tyre. Fifteen minutes later Carlin said "We have a flat tyre on the trailer"
It turned out to be much more serious than a flat tyre. One of the suspension arm bolts had snapped and the suspension had collapsed on the right side of the trailer causing the inside wall of the tyre to rub on the wall of the wheel arch.
A near new tyre that was now beyond repair. We were carrying three spare tyres which meant the tyre wasn't a major problem. However the broken suspension was!
Coincidentally the bolt that broke was in the same location as the one that also broke on our 2019 trip across the Gunbarrel Highway.
Fortunately I had packed an assortment of spare bolts in case there was an emergency. We had a replacement bolt the right length but a smaller diameter. You can see it in the photo below.
The next issue was the suspension. It would probably now be out of alignment and the replacement tyre would likely scrub out (wear) very quickly. Two of the spare tyres were new. However the 3rd tyre was my "tyre of last resort". A 14 year old used tyre I had inherited when I purchased the second hand steel rims. It had a smaller diameter that the other tyres but that shouldn't be an issue on the trailer. If we were going to destroy a second tyre this would be the one.
We also found a nail in the left rear tyre on the 4WD. After removing the nail Carlin plugged the hole and replaced the tyre.
By now sunset was upon us and we still hadn't reached a campsite.
I examined the map and identified a potential campsite some 60km further down the road. We carefully drove on in the dark as I counted out the 60km with fingers crossed. Surprisingly the campsite was full of Grey Nomads. However we managed to squeeze in.
Neither of us felt much like cooking dinner and settled instead for grilled pork sausages wrapped in a slice of bread.
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