Heading back down the Explorers Way or Stuart Hwy as some may call it you are reminded how close war got to our shores by all the remnants of WWII bases and facilities.
After an enjoyable few days at Katherine Gorge we headed for a campsite we had previously visited on the way up to Darwin, Gorrie Airfield. During WWII the establishment at Gorrie comprised over 6,000 RAAF personnel responsible for aircraft and vehicle maintenance for the RAAF and United States Army Air Forces. A large petrol storage and bomb dump were constructed as part of the airfield. The remains of the runway and many of the buildings and structures foundations are still visible. We experienced another exciting monsoonal thunderstorm during the evening while camped on one of a taxi way adjacent to the runway. Down the track we came upon a family from Darwin who had fuel problems 5km short of Three ways. As we still had a few litres of unleaded fuel in the generator jerrycan we helped them out.
Our next night stopover Karlu Karlu, or the Devils Marbles, one of our good friends “The Woodies” fav places, we also really like this place as well. Karlu Karlu, or the Devils Marbles is a living cultural landscape and the traditional country for the Warumungu, Kaytetye, Alyawarra and Warlpiri people. Karlu Karlu, literally translated as ‘round boulders’. Karlu Karlu is recognised as of great cultural importance and became a jointly managed park in 2009. Almost the entire Reserve is a registered sacred site and many stories and traditions are associated to the area. Information displays explain and indicate certain locations they do not want photography, so I chose not to, but we did enjoy the short walk through the marbles at sunset.
The next day we arrived in Alice Springs and caught up with young Carlie and her friend Brad for an enjoyable dinner and ice-cream treat in downtown Alice.
