The De-Tourists — A Saunders Family Adventure

Slowing down, growing up and finding our feet in the dust...

Gallery

Snapshots from the journey

Photos will fill up as the adventure unfolds.

Sunset on a dirt track through the bush Josephville, QLD
The girls sitting in the boot of the LandCruiser Josephville, QLD
Rustic Hipcamp signpost with directions to Creek, Dead Tree Alley and Grey Gum Hill Josephville, QLD
Dylan framed in the caravan doorway Josephville, QLD
The girls walking hand-in-hand down a track at golden hour Josephville, QLD
Thumbs up in front of the caravan Josephville, QLD
Dylan with a miniature pony at sunset Josephville, QLD
Cuddling a chicken on the farm Josephville, QLD
Horse riding at the Hipcamp Josephville, QLD
Horse ride with chickens scattering Josephville, QLD
Cows wandering through the campsite Josephville, QLD
Family selfie on a golden hour walk Josephville, QLD
Campfire at dusk by the caravan Josephville, QLD
Video: departure day — waving goodbye and hitting the road Brisbane to Miles, QLD
Family selfie in front of TITANIUM HARDCORE on departure day Brisbane to Miles, QLD
Peeking over the map of Australia in the back seat of Reg Brisbane to Miles, QLD
Dylan with his first dim sim at the Toowoomba Truckstop Brisbane to Miles, QLD
Dylan driving Reg through the open plains Brisbane to Miles, QLD
The big watermelon in Chinchilla Brisbane to Miles, QLD
The girls outside TITANIUM HARDCORE at the free camp in Miles Brisbane to Miles, QLD
The girls following geese through the trees Brisbane to Miles, QLD
The girls by the green creek at Miles Brisbane to Miles, QLD
Leah by the caravan at golden hour Brisbane to Miles, QLD
Erin and Leah cooking dinner at sunset Brisbane to Miles, QLD
Bedtime stories in the van — There's a Wocket in my Pocket Brisbane to Miles, QLD
Video: Cockadoodledodo Miles to Charleville, QLD
Leah having breakfast in the van Miles to Charleville, QLD
Dulacca Wind Farm from the road Miles to Charleville, QLD
Hazel snacking in the back seat Miles to Charleville, QLD
Welcome to Outback Queensland sign Miles to Charleville, QLD
Scrap metal cattle sculpture at Roma saleyards Miles to Charleville, QLD
Roma saleyards — the empty yards Miles to Charleville, QLD
Family selfie at the Roma Saleyards sign Miles to Charleville, QLD
Reg and TITANIUM HARDCORE parked at Morven Community Hall Miles to Charleville, QLD
Hazel on the old tractor at Morven Miles to Charleville, QLD
The kerosene tin hut at Morven Miles to Charleville, QLD
Little sheep toy on the dashboard, long straight road ahead Miles to Charleville, QLD
Welcome to Charleville sign — red dirt appearing Miles to Charleville, QLD
TITANIUM HARDCORE at sunset in Charleville Miles to Charleville, QLD
Hazel and Leah in front of the Charleville Bilby Experience banner Charleville, QLD
Two bilbies in their enclosure at the Bilby Experience Charleville, QLD
The girls watching the bilbies — Hazel holding Bob the Bilby toy Charleville, QLD
Dylan and James doing dodgy DIY auto-electrics under Reg's bonnet Charleville, QLD
Erin and the girls scooting down Charleville main street Charleville, QLD
Hotel Corones — classic outback Queensland pub Charleville, QLD
Family posing with the big kangaroo statue on Charleville main street Charleville, QLD
Hazel and Leah exploring the backyard garden Charleville, QLD
Dylan and the kids sitting in the backyard with guinea pigs Charleville, QLD
Hazel and Leah each holding a chicken on the deck Charleville, QLD
The girls grinning by the chicken coop Charleville, QLD
Group selfie saying goodbye in front of TITANIUM HARDCORE in Charleville Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Saying goodbye to friends — Dylan holding Leah, kids with plushies Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Tambo Teddy on the dashboard with a long straight outback road ahead Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Erin and Leah selfie outside Fanny Mae's Cafe in Tambo Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Caution Teddies Crossing road sign in Tambo Charleville to Longreach, QLD
The Lodge on Hawthorn in Blackall — beautiful old Masonic Temple building Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Inside The Lodge on Hawthorn — grand staircase and chandelier Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Erin and Leah at The Black Stump memorial in Blackall Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Tree of Knowledge closed for maintenance in Barcaldine Charleville to Longreach, QLD
The Tree of Knowledge memorial — looking up at the timber canopy Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Leah on the Telstra payphone in Barcaldine Charleville to Longreach, QLD
James and the girls at sunset by the Thomson River at Muddy Duck Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Leah framed by river gums at golden hour in Longreach Charleville to Longreach, QLD
James and Leah by the river at sunset Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Hazel and Leah playing in the mud by the Thomson River at sunset Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Cooking dinner on the BBQ by TITANIUM HARDCORE Charleville to Longreach, QLD
Stockman's Hall of Fame live show — sheep dog herding sheep in the arena Longreach, QLD
Dylan holding Leah patting a horse at the Stockman's Hall of Fame Longreach, QLD
Family selfie with headsets at the Stockman's Hall of Fame — And the bush hath friends... Longreach, QLD
Video: whip cracking at the Stockman's Hall of Fame live show Longreach, QLD
The girls bike riding at the Muddy Duck Caravan Park Longreach, QLD
Family bike ride on the road under big outback skies Longreach, QLD
Dylan and Hazel kayaking on the Thomson River Longreach, QLD
Dylan and Leah in a pink kayak on the river Longreach, QLD
Family dinner at sunset by TITANIUM HARDCORE Longreach, QLD
The girls in front of the Qantas 747 at the Qantas Founders Museum Longreach, QLD
Little wool sheep on the dashboard with endless outback highway ahead Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Video: the fuel stress moment on the road to Winton Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Erin and the girls selfie inside the Tattersalls Pub in Winton Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Family selfie at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs lookout over the outback plains Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
The fossil storage room at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Dylan posing with excavated dinosaur bones at the museum Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Volunteers extracting fossils in the preparation lab Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
The dinosaur stampede trackway at the museum Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Family photo with the life-size dinosaur sculptures Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Family selfie with dinosaur sculptures in the background Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
The museum tram heading out across the red dirt Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Family selfie on the museum tram ride Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Lil Ripper — the museum shuttle tram Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
The girls striking poses with a raptor dinosaur sculpture Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Pickle air freshener and wool sheep on the dashboard Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Erin driving Reg with rocky outback mesa in the windscreen Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Family selfie at sunset over the plains at Dinosaur Creek Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
The girls holding hands watching the sunset at Dinosaur Creek Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Leah and Hazel glowing in the sunset light at Dinosaur Creek Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Dylan with the girls at sunset — big smiles at Dinosaur Creek Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Video: sunset at Dinosaur Creek free camp Longreach to Dinosaur Creek, QLD
Dylan with a pie from the Cloncurry Bakery Dinosaur Creek to Mount Isa, QLD
Chinaman Park dam at Cloncurry with rocky ridge and blue sky Dinosaur Creek to Mount Isa, QLD
Scenic highway toward Mount Isa through rocky ridges Dinosaur Creek to Mount Isa, QLD
Hazel and Leah laughing in the back seat with headphones Dinosaur Creek to Mount Isa, QLD
The girls eating burgers watching live music at the caravan park Dinosaur Creek to Mount Isa, QLD
Hazel and Leah tucking into bloody big burgers at sunset Dinosaur Creek to Mount Isa, QLD
Hazel and Leah cosy in bed in the caravan Mount Isa, QLD
Dylan making coffee at the outdoor kitchen on TITANIUM HARDCORE Mount Isa, QLD
Leah sitting on her bike after a tumble at the caravan park Mount Isa, QLD
Driving through Mount Isa — mine stack and industrial skyline Mount Isa, QLD
The missing water tank cap — taped up at Camooweal Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Water tank cap taped over with duct tape Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Reg and TITANIUM HARDCORE at the Welcome to the Northern Territory sign on red dirt Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Family selfie at the NT border sign Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Video: crossing into the Northern Territory Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
130 speed limit sign on a straight NT highway Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Reg and TITANIUM HARDCORE set up under a tree at Barkly Homestead with solar panels out Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Wire emu sculpture at the Barkly Homestead Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Dylan and Hazel at the Barkly Homestead pub Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
The girls looking at the giant goanna sculpture at sunset Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Giant goanna sculpture silhouetted against the sunset sky Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Hazel laughing at sunset by the goanna sculpture Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Video: road train at Barkly Homestead Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Road train parked at sunset at Barkly Homestead Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Erin and the girls in front of Reg and TITANIUM HARDCORE at Barkly Homestead Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Erin making dinner at sunset — Good Vibes t-shirt Mount Isa to Barkly Homestead, QLD/NT
Leah bike riding at sunrise by TITANIUM HARDCORE at Barkly Homestead Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Video: leaving Barkly Homestead Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Erin and the girls at the Shell Threeways Roadhouse map Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Video: Threeways — where the highway goes three ways Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Dylan and Leah at the Tennant Creek sign Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Leah covered in Nutella in the back seat Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Red dirt highway under stormy skies south of Tennant Creek Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Devil's Marbles — giant granite boulders from the road Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Leah sitting inside a split boulder at the Devil's Marbles Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Leah running through the Devil's Marbles Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Erin and the girls walking past the giant boulders at the Devil's Marbles Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Family selfie on top of the Devil's Marbles with the landscape stretching out behind Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Dylan and the girls in the dry creek bed at Barrow Creek Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
The girls by the campfire with TITANIUM HARDCORE and a red sunset behind Barkly Homestead to Barrow Creek, NT
Video: leaving Barrow Creek Barrow Creek to Alice Springs, NT
Reg parked on the red dirt under the gum trees Barrow Creek to Alice Springs, NT
Leah rugged up in a beanie at breakfast at the Barrow Creek free camp Barrow Creek to Alice Springs, NT
The girls piggyback in front of the old Barrow Creek Telegraph Station Barrow Creek to Alice Springs, NT
The Barrow Creek Telegraph Station building Barrow Creek to Alice Springs, NT
Dylan and the girls exploring the stone outbuilding at the Telegraph Station Barrow Creek to Alice Springs, NT
Video: rainy Ti Tree Barrow Creek to Alice Springs, NT
Dylan and Leah walking across the wet road at Ti Tree in the rain Barrow Creek to Alice Springs, NT
Emus and emu chicks at Stuarts Well Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, NT
The girls with the camel statue at Stuarts Well Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, NT
Hazel face-to-face with an emu through the fence Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, NT
The girls with the camel melons on the red dirt Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, NT
Dashboard sheep and pickle air freshener on the red dirt road Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, NT
Video: the dirt track landscape on the Ernest Giles Track Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, NT
Dylan and Leah airing up the tyres on the red dirt Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, NT
The girls running on the red dirt at Kings Creek Station Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, NT
Climbing the stone steps of heartbreak hill at Kings Canyon Kings Canyon, NT
Family photo at the top of Kings Canyon with the red rim behind Kings Canyon, NT
The girls sitting on the red rock at Kings Canyon Kings Canyon, NT
Dylan among the rock formations of the Lost City at Kings Canyon Kings Canyon, NT
Panorama of Kings Canyon with Leah at the edge Kings Canyon, NT
Family selfie at Cotterill's Lookout over Kings Canyon Kings Canyon, NT
Dylan sitting on the edge of Kings Canyon looking out over the gorge Kings Canyon, NT
Kings Canyon landscape — sheer cliff faces and green valley below Kings Canyon, NT
Erin sitting on the canyon edge with the cliff face behind Kings Canyon, NT
Leah looking out over Kings Canyon Kings Canyon, NT
Erin patching up Leah's scraped knee on the rocks Kings Canyon, NT
Leah standing by the rock pool in the Garden of Eden at Kings Canyon Kings Canyon, NT
Dylan sitting on the rim edge with backpack, canyon stretching out below Kings Canyon, NT
Dylan and Leah walking along the rim track at Kings Canyon Kings Canyon, NT
Erin and Leah walking the track with the valley stretching out ahead Kings Canyon, NT
Leah bike riding on the red dirt at Kings Creek Station Kings Creek Station, NT
Erin cooking dinner at sunset by TITANIUM HARDCORE at Kings Creek Kings Creek Station, NT
Erin and the girls looking at the Australia map on the van fridge Kings Creek Station, NT
Close-up of the Australia map with the route drawn on Kings Creek Station, NT
Video: coo-eee across Kings Canyon Kings Creek Station, NT
Dylan with the camel burger at Kings Creek Station cafe Kings Creek Station to Uluṟu, NT
Erin and the girls having breakfast at Kings Creek cafe Kings Creek Station to Uluṟu, NT
Video: I can see my breath — frosty morning at Kings Creek Kings Creek Station to Uluṟu, NT
The girls hugging with Mount Connor (Fooluru) in the background Kings Creek Station to Uluṟu, NT
Video: our first glimpse of Uluṟu driving into the park Kings Creek Station to Uluṟu, NT
Family photo with Uluṟu behind on a cloudy evening Uluṟu, NT
Leah eating a snack on the roof rack with Uluṟu behind Uluṟu, NT
Dylan and Leah on the roof rack at the Uluṟu sunset viewing Uluṟu, NT
Erin and Hazel popping out of the car sunroof with Uluṟu glowing behind at sunset Uluṟu, NT
Video: Uluṟu! Uluṟu, NT
Family photo at the base of Uluṟu Uluṟu, NT
The girls running down the red path toward Uluṟu Uluṟu, NT
Dylan and Erin selfie on the Kuniya Walk path with Uluṟu behind Uluṟu, NT
Erin and Hazel selfie at the base of Uluṟu Uluṟu, NT
Erin and the girls walking toward the cliff face at Uluṟu Uluṟu, NT
The cliff face and Mutitjulu Waterhole on the Kuniya Walk Uluṟu, NT
Leah with her arms up in front of Uluṟu Uluṟu, NT
Uluṟu wide landscape under blue sky Uluṟu, NT
Family selfie with Uluṟu from a distance in the sunshine Uluṟu, NT
Dashboard sheep with Uluṟu in the background Uluṟu, NT
Video: selfie pano at the base of Uluṟu Uluṟu, NT
The girls eating chips under the awning at camp Uluṟu, NT
The girls on iPads with headphones in the van — screen time delivered Uluṟu, NT
Leah on the UHF radio in the car on a foggy morning Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Erin and the girls laughing in the car on the way to Kata Tjuṯa Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Dylan and the girls arriving at Kata Tjuṯa with fog swirling around the domes Kata Tjuṯa, NT
The foggy path toward the domes at Kata Tjuṯa Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Hazel arms up with fog pouring through the domes at Kata Tjuṯa Kata Tjuṯa, NT
The girls standing with fog-wrapped dome and a rainbow behind Kata Tjuṯa, NT
The girls with a dome emerging from the fog at Kata Tjuṯa Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Fog pouring through Walpa Gorge — tiny figures for scale Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Video: the foggy Olgas Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Leah standing on a rock at Kata Tjuṯa with the landscape behind Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Hazel arms up in front of the honeycomb rock face at Kata Tjuṯa Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Hazel on the boardwalk into Walpa Gorge, domes towering either side Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Dylan and the girls at the entrance to Walpa Gorge Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Erin walking through Walpa Gorge between the towering red walls Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Leah at the waterhole in Walpa Gorge with reflections in the water Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Kata Tjuṯa wide landscape — the many heads under blue sky Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Family selfie with Kata Tjuṯa in the sunshine Kata Tjuṯa, NT
Uluṟu from the road through the windscreen Uluṟu, NT
Leah walking the sandy path at the base of Uluṟu Uluṟu, NT
The girls biking along the base of Uluṟu Uluṟu, NT
Hazel with cocktail and canapes at the Wintjiri Wiru deck with Uluṟu behind Uluṟu, NT
Dylan and the girls looking out at Uluṟu from the Wintjiri Wiru deck Uluṟu, NT
Uluṟu from the Wintjiri Wiru deck with rolled blankets in the golden light Uluṟu, NT
Family seated on the Wintjiri Wiru deck with Uluṟu at sunset Uluṟu, NT
Family selfie with pink sunset sky and Uluṟu glowing behind Uluṟu, NT
Dylan and Erin sunset selfie at Wintjiri Wiru Uluṟu, NT
The girls grinning with pink sunset sky and Uluṟu behind at Wintjiri Wiru Uluṟu, NT
Stuck behind an enormous oversize mining truck on the road to Alice Springs Uluṟu to Alice Springs, NT
The car at Pedders Suspension and Brakes in Alice Springs for its service Alice Springs, NT
Leah grinning with pink hair holding a snake at the Newlandia Festival Alice Springs, NT
The girls with food at the Newlandia Festival with the MacDonnell Ranges behind Alice Springs, NT
The girls on the teacup ride at the Newlandia Festival Alice Springs, NT
The girls drawing and colouring at the camp table in the morning sun Alice Springs, NT
Panorama of Alice Springs from ANZAC Hill with the MacDonnell Ranges behind Alice Springs, NT
Dylan and the girls looking out over Alice Springs from the lookout at ANZAC Hill Alice Springs, NT
Erin cooking butter chicken at camp with a pink sunset sky behind Alice Springs, NT
The girls eating butter chicken and naan at the camp table under a pink sunset Alice Springs, NT
The Tropic of Capricorn monument beside the Stuart Highway, a wire globe on a sticker-covered pedestal Tropic of Capricorn, NT
The Desert Mermaid and her lover, two painted lizard sculptures at Aileron Roadhouse Aileron, NT
Hazel under the highway signs at Aileron, 134km back to Alice Springs and 370km on to Tennant Creek Aileron, NT
The Anmatjere Man statue holding a spear on the hill above the Aileron Roadhouse Aileron, NT
Video: the long final stretch north of Three Ways Stuart Highway, NT
Camp set up at Churchill's Head free camp with the caravan, camp table and fire going as the sun sets Churchill's Head, NT
Dylan, Leah and Hazel in the long golden grass on the hill at sunset Churchill's Head, NT
Sunset over the bushland at Churchill's Head with silvery grass and red rocky outcrops Churchill's Head, NT
Dylan and the girls looking out over the valley from the top of the hill at dusk Churchill's Head, NT
Video: kick starting the campfire at Churchill's Head Churchill's Head, NT
The girls eating breakfast at the camp table by the fire as the sun rises over the ridge at Churchill's Head Churchill's Head, NT
Hazel carrying branches of firewood across the red dirt at the free camp Churchill's Head, NT
Dylan with his coffee and Hazel grinning by the morning campfire Churchill's Head, NT
A road train loaded with classic cars and hay bales parked at Renner Springs Renner Springs, NT
Leah and Hazel playing cards at a beer garden table in front of the number-plate wall Daly Waters, NT
Dylan celebrating with a beer under the enormous pink bougainvillea at the front of the Daly Waters Pub Daly Waters, NT
Inside the pub — hundreds of t-shirts hanging from the ceiling above the sticker-covered bar and golden croc head Daly Waters, NT
The wall of bras above the bar with the Welcome to the Daly Waters Historic Pub sign Daly Waters, NT
Tim's Junkyard entrance with a camouflage helicopter and KFC sign perched on the roof Daly Waters, NT
Australia's Most Remote Traffic Lights, plastered in travellers' stickers Daly Waters, NT
Tim cruising past the crowd on his mobility scooter with its WIDE LOAD sticker Daly Waters, NT
Hazel giving Erin a cuddle at the table in the beer garden Daly Waters, NT
Hazel tucking into the barra under the fairy lights on Beef and Barra night Daly Waters, NT
The Daly Waters windmill of hand-painted distance signs framed by pink bougainvillea Daly Waters, NT
Family selfie under the bougainvillea at the Daly Waters Pub sign before setting off Daly Waters, NT
Baaanaby the dashboard sheep watching the road with 169km to go on the sat nav Daly Waters to Mataranka, NT
Hazel with her pool noodle on the boardwalk through the palm forest at Mataranka Mataranka, NT
Erin and the girls in the thermal pool, Leah giving a double thumbs up Mataranka, NT
Erin mid-pool at the Mataranka Thermal Pool with towering palms all around Mataranka, NT
Leah beaming in her rainbow goggles in the warm water Mataranka, NT
Hazel by the stone wall of the thermal pool with goggles at the ready Mataranka, NT
Family selfie in the thermal pool with the sun bursting through the palms Mataranka, NT
Dylan and Leah in her hooded towel walking the boardwalk back from the pool Mataranka, NT
Leah feeding the water buffalo through the fence at Little Roper Stock Camp Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
The girls climbing the hay bales under the rope-swing tree at golden hour Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
The freshly baked loaf on the rack with its Pre-Ordered Bread for Erin label Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
Campers gathered around the long tables under the big tree for billy tea and johnny cakes Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
Hazel feeding a cow through the fence at morning animal feeding Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
Leah smiling down at the turtle she's holding in the reptile house Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
Hazel grinning as she holds a big blue-tongue lizard Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
Hazel and Leah each holding a blue-tongue lizard while Dylan looks on Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
Leah with an albino python draped around her shoulders Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
Panorama of Bitter Springs — crystal clear blue water winding through palms and paperbarks Bitter Springs, NT
The impossibly clear turquoise water of Bitter Springs beneath the palm forest Bitter Springs, NT
Hazel floating in the clear blue water with her noodle Bitter Springs, NT
Hazel and Leah floating along Bitter Springs with their noodles Bitter Springs, NT
Hide and seek in the hay — one kid completely buried with just a hat poking out Little Roper Stock Camp, NT
Hazel and Leah popped up through the car sunroof at the Katherine fuel stop Katherine, NT
Wangi Falls in golden-hour light — both falls pouring into the still plunge pool Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Dylan and the girls wading in for the spontaneous sunset swim Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Hazel chest-deep in the plunge pool, scooping up the water Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Dylan lifting Leah out of the water mid-laugh, the cliff glowing behind them Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Erin in the plunge pool with the falls behind Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Erin and Hazel cheek-to-cheek, laughing in the water Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Hazel mid-swim with a gasp — the water was freezing Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
The girls in their pyjamas clinking cups at camp dinner after the swim Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Dylan's morning coffee at the falls, with company ankle-deep in the shallows Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Everyone in the water with pool noodles — including cousin Meredith! Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
A goanna strutting through the Wangi campground Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
The girls in the shallows as the cliff glows red at sunset Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Sunset over Wangi Falls, swimmers tiny in the plunge pool Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
The crescent moon and Venus over the darkening campground Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
The bowerbird's bower with his collection of shells and treasures Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Back on the road — Baaanaby keeping watch from the dash Litchfield NP, NT
Litchfield Park Road signs through the windscreen Litchfield NP, NT
Hazel and Leah dwarfed at the base of a giant cathedral termite mound Litchfield NP, NT
Leah in the clear shallows of Walker Creek Walker Creek, Litchfield NP
Waterfall hopping at Walker Creek — all three at the cascade Walker Creek, Litchfield NP
One last morning ride — the girls and their bikes in front of Wangi Falls Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Hitched up and pulling out of the Wangi campground Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP
Video: driving into Darwin Litchfield to Darwin, NT
Selfie with Gordon and Tricia at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, juices in hand Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Darwin
Leah and Hazel sitting cross-legged on the grass with a margherita pizza each at the markets Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Darwin
Family selfie on the picnic rug in the golden light at the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, Darwin
Dylan strolling along Mindil Beach as the sun drops towards the water Mindil Beach, Darwin
Hazel and Leah digging in the sand as the sun sets over Mindil Beach Mindil Beach, Darwin
Hazel holding a handstand on the sand in front of the Mindil Beach sunset Mindil Beach, Darwin
Hazel mid-cartwheel against the sunset, sand flying off her toes Mindil Beach, Darwin
Dylan and Erin's selfie with the sun sitting right on the horizon at Mindil Beach Mindil Beach, Darwin
Video: sunset over Mindil Beach Mindil Beach, Darwin
Hazel and Leah in matching fleeces colouring an egg carton in the morning sun at the campsite Oasis Tourist Park, Virginia
Erin outside the Charles Darwin University sign in the city Darwin City
Hazel and Leah carrying the post office parcels through the city together Darwin City
Dylan holding the parcels aloft outside Charles Darwin University — the Gameboys have landed Darwin City
Hazel and Leah in front of a huge dot-painted rainbow mural in the city Darwin City
Family selfie on the e-scooters at the Darwin waterfront — Hazel with Erin, Leah with Dylan Darwin Waterfront
Hazel helping with the great washing fold — every item of clothing rolled and lined up on the picnic rug Oasis Tourist Park, Virginia
Leah on her bike, helmet on and ready for laps of the caravan park Oasis Tourist Park, Virginia
Erin, Hazel and Leah squeezed into a sunny selfie at the campsite Oasis Tourist Park, Virginia
Hazel and Leah in their goggles at the edge of the Oasis Tourist Park pool Oasis Tourist Park, Virginia
TITANIUM HARDCORE parked up for a couple of days of storage at Chris’ place Humpty Doo
Bursting through the backlit spray on the orange slide at Leanyer Recreation Park Leanyer Recreation Park, Darwin
Mid-splash grin on the yellow slide at Leanyer Recreation Park Leanyer Recreation Park, Darwin
Video: hitting ALL the slides at Leanyer water park Leanyer Recreation Park, Darwin
The view from our apartment balcony — Hazel and Leah in their swim ponchos surveying the Wave Lagoon and Aqua Park below Darwin Waterfront
Leah and her noodle in the swimming lagoon at the Darwin Waterfront Darwin Waterfront
Hazel with her crocodile sand sculpture on the lagoon beach Darwin Waterfront
Bilby, two storeys down on the neighbour’s balcony — our note and pen alongside Darwin City
Leah leading the way across the footbridge to Stokes Hill Wharf at golden hour Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin
Leah silhouetted against the sunset over the lagoon on the walk to dinner Darwin Waterfront
Erin and Leah’s selfie at the wharf dinner table, sunset glowing behind Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin
Family selfie at our Stokes Hill Wharf dinner table as the sun sets behind us Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin
Hazel celebrating her fish and chips (and first ever Moreton Bay Bug) at the wharf Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin
Leah picking her ice cream for dessert at the gelato cabinet Darwin City
Leah with the official Bilby substitute — Dylan’s jumper-and-hairties creation Darwin City
Hazel watching dawn break over the Wave Lagoon from the apartment balcony Darwin Waterfront
Hazel and Leah riding the waves in their tubes at the Darwin Waterfront Wave Lagoon Darwin Waterfront
Pa on our balcony rigging up his specially made rod and hooking device Darwin City
The rescue in progress — Pa lowering his line down towards Bilby Darwin City
Video: the Bilby recovery operation Darwin City
Video: surprise Pa arrival Darwin Waterfront
Life jackets on with Pa, ready for the Aqua Park inflatables Darwin Waterfront
Plane spotting at the bar — Dylan and Pa pointing out the jets to the girls Darwin Waterfront
All five of us at the wharf as the sun goes down on a perfect Darwin day Darwin Waterfront
Sunrise over the Wave Lagoon and Stokes Hill Wharf from the apartment balcony — one last Darwin view before checkout Darwin Waterfront
Pa and the girls collecting ‘Lizzie’ the campervan — gecko logo and all Darwin
Hazel and Leah buckled into Lizzie’s car seats for the first leg, walkie-talkie at the ready Darwin
An enormous saltie gliding right past the boat window on the Adelaide River Adelaide River
Jaws open — a saltwater crocodile lunges for the meat on the pole Adelaide River
Fully vertical — a huge saltie launches its whole body length out of the water Adelaide River
Video: a saltie launches for the meat pole Adelaide River
Video: another croc jump, right beside the boat Adelaide River
Kites swooping low over the river to catch the meat thrown from the boat Adelaide River
Dylan pointing out his electrical handiwork on the Bluetti setup in the back of Reg Purple Mango Brewery
Gordon, Tricia, Pa and Erin settling in for pizza night at the Purple Mango brewery Purple Mango Brewery
Hazel and Leah drawing at the brewery as the sun sets behind the garden Purple Mango Brewery
Hazel and Leah buckled into Lizzie’s car seats, snacks and thumbs at the ready Arnhem Highway
The resident water buffalo in the backyard of the Bark Hut Roadhouse Bark Hut Roadhouse
Family selfie at the Kakadu National Park welcome sign on the way in Kakadu NP
Pa and Leah at a swap stop — Lizzie, Reg and TITANIUM HARDCORE all in convoy Kakadu NP
An ancient painting of a hunter with his spears on the walk up to Ubirr Ubirr
Climbing the rock shelves toward the Ubirr lookout in the last of the afternoon light Ubirr
Dylan taking in the endless Nadab floodplain from the top of Ubirr as the sun drops Ubirr
Family sunset selfie on top of Ubirr Ubirr
Pa, the girls and Erin watching the sunset from the rocks at Ubirr Ubirr
Pa with a lap passenger as the sun sinks over the floodplain Ubirr
Huddled together on the rock as the sky turns orange over the floodplain Ubirr
Pa and Dylan at the top of Ubirr at sunset Ubirr
Breakfast at Merl campground before the walk out to Cahills Crossing Merl campground
Pa warming a tin of beans on the fire at Merl campground Merl campground
The girls at the camp table, fuelling up for the day Merl campground
A saltwater crocodile loitering metres from a 4WD making the Cahills Crossing Cahills Crossing
Pa and the girls on the dusty walk out to Cahills Crossing Cahills Crossing
Following Lizzie south through Kakadu, walkie talkies crackling between the cars Kakadu NP
The Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru — yes, the whole building is a crocodile Jabiru
‘Devil Spirit’ by Robert Namarnyilk — the beautiful ochre art we found in Jabiru Jabiru
Dylan getting some work done at the Mardukal picnic table — best office in the country Mardukal campground
Burger night selfie at our private bush campsite at Mardukal Mardukal campground
Dawn at the Yellow Water jetty, boarding the boat in the dark Yellow Water
First light over Yellow Water billabong, mirror-still Yellow Water
Erin and the girls watching the banks drift past Yellow Water
Paperbarks reflected in the glassy water just after sunrise Yellow Water
A darter perched high in a dead tree, scanning the billabong Yellow Water
A flock of magpie geese crossing the sunrise Yellow Water
A sea eagle soaring over the wetlands Yellow Water
The sun climbing over the billabong Yellow Water
All five of us on the boat as the sun comes up — troopers, every one Yellow Water
Pa on photography duty Yellow Water
Egrets working the floodplain shallows Yellow Water
Sunrise through the pandanus Yellow Water
A white-bellied sea eagle keeping watch from the tallest dead tree Yellow Water
One of the resident salties lying low in the weeds beside the boat Yellow Water
A darter drying its wings on a snag out on the green floodplain Yellow Water
Pa and Leah mid-piggyback in the Cooinda Lodge pool Cooinda Lodge
Leah trying her luck off the pontoon at golden hour — no luck whatsoever Yellow Water
Pa at the wheel of Lizzie at dusk, personalised playlists no doubt playing Cooinda
The top pool at Gunlom, looking out over Kakadu forever Gunlom Falls
Erin cooling off in the infinity pool at the top of Gunlom Falls Gunlom Falls
Erin and Dylan in the top pool — very cold, entirely worth it Gunlom Falls
Hazel taking in the view from the edge of the top pool Gunlom Falls
Looking down over the lip of Gunlom Falls to the closed bottom pool — resident salties somewhere below Gunlom Falls
Summit selfie — the four of us above Gunlom Falls Gunlom Falls
Erin and Leah exploring the rock pools above the falls Gunlom Falls
All five at the lookout above the Gunlom campground, bushfire smoke on the horizon Gunlom Falls
Heading back down the infamous Gunlom stairs Gunlom Falls
The bottom pool and cliff face of Gunlom Falls — croc territory for now Gunlom Falls
Baaanaby navigating the corrugations on the way out, radio antenna reattached and holding on Gunlom road
Sunrise over Reg and TITANIUM HARDCORE at Gungurul on our last Kakadu morning Gungurul campground
One last family photo at the Kakadu sign on the way out — thanks for having us Kakadu NP
Pa settling into the Adelaide River Inn beer garden Adelaide River
All five of us committing fully to the Adelaide River Inn’s face-cutout board Adelaide River
Leah making friends with Jock the Croc at the Inn Adelaide River
Charlie the buffalo — star of Crocodile Dundee, now presiding over the bar Adelaide River
The magnetic termite mounds — hundreds of thin tombstones all facing exactly the same way Litchfield NP
Dusk swim in the Florence Falls plunge pool, both falls still running Florence Falls
Erin at the slide-out kitchen, butterflied lamb headed for the BabyQ as the sun sets Florence Falls
Pa tending a very respectable fire at our Florence Falls camp Florence Falls
Sunrise through the trees behind TITANIUM HARDCORE at the elevated campsite Florence Falls
Three around the morning fire as the sun comes up through the trees Florence Falls
Pa with a full lap of girls at the breakfast campfire Florence Falls
Site number 8 in all its glory — room for everyone and a vista over the park Florence Falls
The bread operation begins — flour, yeast and optimism under the awning Florence Falls
Wangi Falls for the explorers — Pa and one of the girls in the plunge pool Wangi Falls
The DIY camp oven — alfoil, sticks, and a refusal to be beaten Florence Falls
The verdict: sort-of baked, entirely edible Florence Falls
Afternoon swim below the falls at Florence Florence Falls
Dylan and Leah on fish-watching duty in the creek Florence Creek
Hazel wandering camp at sunset Florence Falls
Dylan squeezing in some sunrise work under the awning Florence Falls
Leah doing laps of the campground in the golden morning light Florence Falls
Dylan and Leah taking a seat in the Buley rapids — a highlight, officially Buley Rockhole
Erin and Leah sitting in the small falls at Buley Buley Rockhole
The girls dwarfed by a cathedral termite mound on the way to Sandy Creek Litchfield NP
Dylan and Reg tackling the 4WD track Litchfield NP
Blyth Homestead, est 1928 — carried over the plateau by teenagers and 32 horses Blyth Homestead
Leah and Pa walking through the forest of golden grass trees Sandy Creek
Dylan and the girls on the rocks at Sandy Creek Falls Sandy Creek Falls
Sandy Creek Falls in full panorama — worth every step Sandy Creek Falls
Pa and Dylan swimming out to touch the waterfall Sandy Creek Falls
Erin and Leah warming up after a swim in the falls Sandy Creek Falls
The two creek-crossing drivers on the sandy walk back out Sandy Creek
Leah leading the way through the palm forest Sandy Creek
Baaanaby navigating the sandy track — Erin’s turn at the wheel Sandy Creek track
Erin and a fully functioning BBQ — steaks to celebrate Florence Falls
Dinner all together under the awning to cap off a huge day Florence Falls
One last look at Buley — the cascades all to ourselves for the morning Buley Rockhole
Erin and Leah claiming the top pool for one final Buley swim Buley Rockhole
Hazel, goggles at the ready, mid-rapids at an empty Buley Rockhole Buley Rockhole
Straight off the bike for a golden-hour gaze across the Edith Falls pool Edith Falls
Erin and the girls dipping feet at the water’s edge as the cliffs turn gold Edith Falls
Dylan and the girls watching the falls across the glassy pool Edith Falls
The top pool cascade — worth the hot walk up Edith Falls
Pa taking a well-earned seat at the top pool Edith Falls
Post-swim recovery position — hats down, towels up, picnic pending Edith Falls
Spaghetti night at the slide-out kitchen as the sky goes pink Edith Falls
End-of-weekend energy: one of us is thriving Edith Falls
Sunrise over camp on our last Edith Falls morning Edith Falls
The Katherine Hot Springs — crystal clear, palm-fringed and a very acceptable temperature Katherine Hot Springs
THE WASHING: ten days’ worth strung in every direction while Dylan holds a very calm office in the middle of it Katherine
The newest member of the fleet — our True Kit inflatable with its Mercury electric outboard, fresh from the demo Katherine
Kitting up at Rod and Rifle with the resident fishing expert Rod and Rifle, Katherine
A very sad goodbye — Pa buckling Leah in one last time Katherine
One more buckle-in for Hazel before Pa heads off on his next adventure Katherine
Baaanaby pointing us down the Victoria Highway, westward bound Victoria Highway
Baaanaby surveying a very straight, very empty Victoria Highway Victoria Highway
Arms out the windows at the WA border — goodbye NT! NT/WA border
Border-crossing selfie — all four of us officially in Western Australia NT/WA border
Winding through the rust-red ridges of the Carr Boyd Ranges on the way in to Lake Argyle Carr Boyd Ranges
Craft with a view while we set up camp Lake Argyle
Home for two nights — somehow one of the best sites in the ground Lake Argyle
The piggyback express, en route to the infinity pool Lake Argyle
In the infinity pool with Lake Argyle stretching out behind Lake Argyle infinity pool
The whole crew in the famous infinity pool Lake Argyle infinity pool
A sunset pool selfie while the girls weren’t looking Lake Argyle infinity pool
Watching the light change over the lake from the pool’s edge Lake Argyle infinity pool
Golden hour on the grass above the pool Lake Argyle
The Carr Boyd Ranges glowing as the sun drops Lake Argyle
Dusk at the infinity pool Lake Argyle infinity pool
Sunrise over the cliffs — craft out early, coffee in hand Lake Argyle
Baaanaby leading the way down to the boat ramp Lake Argyle
All aboard — Dylan at the helm, Gordon and Tricia settled in, deckhands at the ready Lake Argyle
Taking our turn at the wheel Lake Argyle
Swimming right in the middle of the lake — noodle-assisted Lake Argyle
Noodle duty between swims Lake Argyle
Lines in off the back Lake Argyle
Driving lessons with Gordon while Dylan trolls off the stern Lake Argyle
Lunch service aboard — the BBQ in BBQ boat Lake Argyle
Dylan’s silver cobbler, presented for inspection Lake Argyle
The pink rod gets a workout Lake Argyle
Caught one! A very close inspection of a very small catfish Lake Argyle
My turn — silver cobbler number three for the day Lake Argyle
Boat cuddles Lake Argyle
Three at the helm Lake Argyle
Leah takes command Lake Argyle
A freshie sunning itself right by the water’s edge Lake Argyle
Glassy afternoon water and one last family selfie on the lake Lake Argyle
All swum out — watching the shoreline slide past Lake Argyle
The road across the Ord River Dam wall — this little thing holds back all of that Ord River Dam
Winding through the ranges on the short hop from Lake Argyle to Kununurra Lake Argyle Road
Three weeks’ worth of groceries crammed into one very full boot Kununurra
Testing the see-saw at the most amazing playground, right next door to the caravan park Kununurra
Sunset over Lily Creek Lagoon from Kimberleyland Lily Creek Lagoon
Sunday-morning bike laps in PJs — Hazel up front, Leah close behind Kimberleyland
The flood clean-up — washing machine out, cupboards open and every fan we own drying the back of the van Kimberleyland
Ivanhoe Crossing — the road running straight into the Ord River Ivanhoe Crossing
Late sun over Ivanhoe Crossing, fishermen out on the causeway Ivanhoe Crossing
Sunset drinks on Kelly’s Knob with Gordon and Tricia Kelly’s Knob
One last Kimberleyland morning — the girls on the bench under the 2,000-year-old boab Kimberleyland
Sunrise runs on the lagoon lawn before we hit the Gibb — Leah leading the charge Lily Creek Lagoon
Last drinks by Lily Creek Lagoon before the big drive Lily Creek Lagoon