Despite our night of entertainment at the Pub, we awoke refreshed after a good night’s sleep and set to breakfast and packing up the fiver. As it turned out, the Pub’s caravan park was quite full and we had to wait for a few other vehicles to leave before we could escape.
Once back on the highway, it was interesting to watch the changing scenery. At times there were dense plantations of healthy green trees growing right up to the roadway, whereas at other times the trees thinned out markedly. In general the terrain was quite flat with gentle undulations – not great for fuel economy but better than rolling hills or mountain ranges.
Changing Landscape
Changing Landscape
Changing Landscape
Our first stop for coffee was at the Newcastle Waters Rest Area, which was very well set-up and very popular. As an over-nighter for us maybe not, given our size, but for smaller motorhomes and campervans there would probably be a good selection of spots to choose from.
After Newcastle Waters the landscape changed again with the trees making way for plenty of dead, dried scrub and much more dusty and rocky soil.
View from Newcastle Waters Rest Area
Dead Scrub
Rocky Landscape
We stopped for fuel at Elliot and later stopped for a stretch at Renner Springs Roadhouse. This had been our intended overnight destination as there is a caravan park behind the roadhouse, but we had been making good time so we decided to press on a bit further today and save some driving time tomorrow.
Further down the highway the landscape seemed to change again, with a sudden rocky outcrop standing out in the generally flat terrain. We also saw a huge plume of what we assume was smoke on the horizon. Hopefully we’ll hear more about it in due course.
Renner Springs Roadhouse
Changing Landscape
Looks Like Smoke
Some 60 kms from Renner Springs we arrived at Banka Banka Station. Followers of our blog will be aware that we like to stay on farms, certainly in preference to camping behind roadhouses, so this was ideal accommodation for us tonight. We much prefer the sight and sounds of cattle and sheep to those of road trains, diesel and exhaust fumes at a roadhouse. Just after we arrived, three large trucks arrived to disgorge their cargo of cattle. This is very much a working station.
Although there is no power, there is abundant spring water available and the caravan sites are large and grassy. There are several short bush walks around the station and plenty of interesting artifacts and bits of old equipment around and even the original Banka Banka Homestead, which was restored a few years ago.
After setting up the van and awning, we happily sat and read for a while and chatted to some of our new neighbours. Ann also did a load of washing which only cost $2 and it was dry in a couple of hours.
Arriving at Banka Banka Station
Unloading Cattle
Banka Banka Station Caravan Park
Banka Banka Homestead and Farm Buildings
Interesting Furniture at Banka Banka
Banka Banka Laundry
Banka Banka is a great spot.
Shorty's RV Adventures 