It’s been twelve weeks since we left home, caravan parks have become our second home. Some of them are a welcome sight at the end of a day on the road. John and I didn’t book ahead for most of them, except for busy towns or cities, such as Perth. As one goes further away from big towns, the parks get more basic. We always stay in parks, some people free camp, pulling in off the road where there is no power or water. Most of these vehicles have solar power and generators and carry water. They usually have company, we have passed these mostly bush camps and there are quite a few caravans and motor homes in the group. John and I like to have a powered site which includes water. Prices vary, the most expensive is not usually the best kept park, but rather the area it is in, One of the more expensive ones was in the goldfields of Kalgoorlie, $45 per night, although John asked for and got a senior’s discount. Other parks are part of a chain or franchise and offer discounts to members. Some parks are crowded, with every park having a strict rule, no noise after 10pm.
Roadhouses are favorites of ours. They are in isolated places, in the middle of no where, basic amenities, sometimes no water, but have a certain charm, beautiful sunsets, brilliant night sky and quiet. Of course the roadhouses are run by generators, they are very noisy but necessary. We try and think to look where the generators are so we can hook up a bit further away from the noise. Being the roadhouses are in the middle of no where, usually 200 klms away from the next fuel stop, they provide meals and basic groceries, Roadhouses do not have mobile reception or television, some have satellite reception and have a television in the bar for patron’s use. Telstra provides a public telephone on the grounds.
One must forget how isolated one is for the duration of the stay. One night is enough to rest and move on. On the Barkley Highway in Northern Territory, John and I booked in for two nights to Barkly Roadhouse to rest up before our next trip up to Cape Crawford. This roadhouse is well known and has a certain character of it’s own. Backpackers are employed as bar assistants or cooks. It’s not unusual to hear an Irish, Dutch or German accent when one walks into a roadhouse. Road trains pull in to re fuel, these giants of the road are king. The drivers hate caravanners and motor homers. We have heard them on the two way radio, not in a kind way. Caravan parks supply washing machines and dryers, a common charge is $4 for washing machines. Women are at the laundry at first light to grab one of the two or three machines that are available. I usually miss out and give up until we hook up early afternoon and things are quiet. It’s a bit of a social gathering when women meet up around the machines. You get some good hints of where to go for sight seeing or what to avoid.
There is always the” know it all “ in a park, someone who likes to let you know what’s best for you or if your tap is leaking, something you already know. One guy even turned off our tap, thinking the tank was overflowing! Meaning well, but John wasn't impressed.
