There is not much to detain us in Timber Creek; there appears to be no ‘safe’ fishing spots within 2wd range. Just outside Timber Creek is Policeman’s Lookout which provides a superb view of the majestic Victoria River winding through rugged hills and untouched woodlands as far as the eye can see. The silence broken only by the raucous skwarking of white parakeets or some such similar bird.
Western Australia and the Kimberley beckons. But first, just a but further down the highway is a sealed road which serves no other purpose but to access three superb lookouts; two wonderful views of the Victoria river valley and one of Timber Creek and it’s nestled under a sandstone escarpment. At the latter there are a series of information boards about the Nakarous who were stationed out here from 1942 to patrol the coast and inland region in case of invasion by the Japanese. It turns out that the found the struggle to survive the harsh conditions of the tropical bush country left little time for defending Australias front line!
As we drive west the trees become more stunted and large boab trees often carved with the initials of previous travellers are more in evidence. The boab has to be one of the strangest looking trees with its, grey, bulbous trunk that grow up to 20 metres in diameter, toped by a crown of disproportionate branches. Plumes of smoke waft into the area across in the distance where small spontaneous fires have broken out.
We arrive at the border with Western Australia much sooner than we anticipate and decide to camp the Northern Territory tonight and cross tomorrow. This decision is entirely based on the strict quarantine regualtions which mean that we can’t take any fresh fruit or vegetables into WA and would mean dumping tonights dinner! We stop for a brew in the car park on the border and suddenly a huge fire breaksout across the road. Lots of smoke, flames dancing and crackling as it devours the grasses over a stretch on either side of the border.
The Keep River National Park is only3 km up the road. This small park is known for its striking landforms, similar in structure to the Bungle Bungles further west. There are excellent bushwalking tracks that run through the rugged terrain of sandstone formations. There is also a camping ground 18 km into the park along a red gravel road and despite the restrictions of our hire agreement which prohibits any travel on unsealed roads we spend the night in probably the remotest camp site of our trip so far.
Remote though it may be there are two 4wd campers on the site when we arrive. Both have neat arrangements involving tents that fold out and sit on top of the vehicles. This is basic camping; some bbq areas and two pit toilets one of which is infested with ants! It’s a beautiful spot though, so peaceful and a walk awaits us in the morning.