Day 10. Day trip. 6.7.26

This morning we headed out to explore Caranbirini Conservation Reserve. C&G have generously offered to chauffeur us.

***warning there are a lot of photos ***

A glimpse of the McArthur River Mine.

Due to flooding some of the walk was closed with a detour in place, which ended up combining 2 walks together. We walked 3 kms. 

There was a crocodile 🐊 warning so we stood well back but didn't see any signs of a croc.

We came across a water crossing which we managed to find a dry patch thankfully. 

There lots of these little holes 

Amazing that plants can grow on these rocks. 

A translucent leaf that i found.

Out of nowhere appeared purple rock.

I took many photos to capture just 1 of the 100s of butterflies we saw.

Our walk was over and we all agreed it was spectacular and amazing and that it was well worth the 68 km drive to get there.

Picnic lunch before heading home.

Back past the mine pile. 

A google search found...

The McArthur River Mine (MRM) is a major open-cut zinc, lead, and silver mine in the Northern Territory, located roughly 970 km southeast of Darwin and 60 km southwest of Borroloola. Owned by Glencore, it is one of the world's largest zinc deposits.

The mine produces roughly 260,000 to 270,000 tonnes of zinc, 50,000 tonnes of lead, and over 1.2 million ounces of silver annually.

Managed to snap a mini excavator at work as we drove past.

What an absolutely amazing adventure today was. Would totally recommend it to anyone in the area.

Back at the Heartbreak Hotel Mark had a swim while I sat under a beautiful big tree and read.

We all had a coldie at the bar before retiring to our vans to cook dinner and relax for the evening. 

The temperature range today was 16-29°

Day 9. Cape Crawford. 5.7.26

Went for a wander through the bushland behind our vans. Cathy and I enjoyed looking at and photographing the wildflowers. 

Termite tunnels. 

A spider has moved into an old termite mound.

AI suggests Sturt's Desert Rose 🤷‍♀️

Wallaby grass

AI suggests this Grader grass.

Emu bush.

After a few kms today we were very pleased to unexpectedly be on the black top. It was very undulating and eventually after about 40kms went back to a decent quality single lane.

I found a 'Bedrock Quarry ' on WikiCamps to stop for our morning tea. It was really good,  termite mounds a plenty, rocks, old drums and a hill to climb 👍 👌 

I just had to climb the hill.

Looking back at the vans.

We headed off to complete the last 30 kms until we get to Heartbreak Hotel. 

We have booked in for 2 nights at the Heartbreak Hotel.  It's the first time we have been on this road.

Today we travelled 106 kms, total of 2585 kms. The temperature range was 15-30°