Larrimah - Cape Crawford (Heartbreak Hotel)

Off to Daly Waters the most interesting pub we’ve seen on our travels. Visited the National Trust 1934 Listed Aerodrome the oldest airfield in Australia. Looks like its still a working airfield. There were interesting stories on the wall that the American and Australia Soldiers posted there thought they’d been sent to hell. One recounted their platoons arrival of about 20 personnel. The preceeded straight to the Pub and drank it dry. I would imagine it would be some time before stocks could be replenished, especially during the wet season.

Finally left the Stuart Highway and turned into the Carpentaria Highway. The weather is certainly on the change now. Started watching the puffy alto-cumulus clouds, which were really cute to start with, but on our arrival at Cape Crawford, its now thick cloud cover and quite humid. We’ve travelled about 300kms south of Katherine, and 270kms east, so we’ve moved into Savannah Grassland. Covered in Mitchell Grass and varying trees.

Arrived at the Heartbreak Hotel and Cape Crawford (no where near water) but the hotel had an interesting sign up when we went to check into the caravan park. The sign said the owners of the pub/caravan park/petrol station had so many problems sourcing contractors to build the place when they decided to setup here, that he lamented with a mate over a beer that his friend said it should be called the Heartbreak Hotel. He tried in vein to change it, but it had stuck. So for ever and a day it will remain the Heartbreak Hotel. The Ladies are called Pricilla and the Mens, Elvis, needless to say!

After a Jamaican Rum and Grape Juice, Steve got out the bird book to see our latest finds were a Bustard – quite a large and some Apostlebirds , always seen in groups of 12 around supper tables, they squeak and carry on as well!