We are at Adelaide River tonight after our 200km run from Mataranka. Almost at the top of central Australia.
We have seen camels, emus, kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, brumbies, snakes , bungarras, and cattle on the road, green frogs in the toilet, and little yellow frogs in the shower,
We left Mataranka for the easy run to Adelaide River. The scenery was spectacular and made the drive enjoyable. It was very green with lots of wattle trees and other wildflowers showing off after the recent rain three weeks ago.
We stopped at Pine Creek for morning tea and had a look around the Pine Creek Museum, housed in the old Railway Station. Gold was the reason Pine Creek came into existence, then the Overland Telegraph provided work followed by the railway.
We checked out the old steam train on display and climbed into the old carriage with its beautiful timbers.
Adelaide River was a strategic location during WWII. It was the tactical forward supply base for the large number of Army units camped along the road to Darwin, and was also a major communications base.We camped at the showgrounds which is situated on the old WWII airstrip.
Having visited the Adelaide War Cemetery in France 2 years ago I was keen to visit the Adelaide River War Cemetery where 463 Australian servicemen were killed during the Battle of Darwin during February 1942. There are also the graves of the 9 civilians killed on that fateful day.Visiting the War Cemetery was a moving experience, especially as they were killed on Australian soil…………and to think we still have servicemen & women fighting and dying.
Tomorrow I finally get to see Darwin.
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