Day 138, Friday, 14 August 2009

Distance travelled – 91.9 km
Avg speed – 21.1 kph
Max speed – 37.1 kph

Victoria River Roadhouse to Timber Creek

Immediately west of the roadhouse there is extensive roadworks controlled by traffic lights. The problem with these lights is that the time allowed to get through each section is set for cars driving at 60kph and not bikes at 20kph. This can cause a problem, which we only just avoided when a road train was just about to enter the single lane as we had just passed through. I am not sure where we would have gone if we met it half way.

The highway passes through some very scenic country as it leaves Gregory National Park and much to our relief there were not the big hills that we had feared yesterday, with the highway keeping to the valley created by the Victoria River.

We arrived at Timber Creek just after 3.00pm and discovered that there was a Victoria River Cruise leaving at 4.00pm. We bought 2 large chocolate milks and sat down in the shade to discuss the options. At 3.30 without much thought for cost we paid for a motel room, booked the cruise, unpacked and locked up the bikes, had two showers and were sitting on the bus by 4.00pm. It was only then we began to wonder if we had done the sensible thing. After riding 91km in the heat I could see us going to sleep on the boat.

The term “cruise” had us imagining a slow and sedate journey down the river. This trip was far from slow and sedate, it was a flat out run down the Victoria River to its junction with the Angalarri River. A stop to have a drink and nibbles, watch the setting sun and then a fast run back again, a distance of about 40km. On the way down we did get to see salt and fresh water crocodiles, jabiru and sea eagles but there was no opportunity to snooze, (which from a value for money was a good thing). We are glad we did the trip as we saw country we would not otherwise see but after our rather slow ride over 91 km earlier the cruise did feel a little rushed.

Zoom into the map and use the 'Satellite' layer to see our new location.

Sunrise. We were surprised to discover that hay is grown behind Victoria River Roadhouse

Early morning shadows

Denise on the Victoria Highway

Another photo opportunity

I am not sure why I was drawn to this burnt tree but when I got close I discovered the baked bird nest below.

Baked bird nest and burnt tree

She's not wearing a yellow shirt!

Salt water crocodile

Hills behind Angalarri River

Victoria River near junction with Angalarri River

Sunset over Victoria River near junction with Angalarri River

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