Stopping at Australian outback pubs are an absolute must when traveling through the Northern Territory. We soon discovered that some of the most interesting pubs are found along the Stuart Highway (the track), from Darwin to Adelaide. Our Spaswinefood travels through the Northern Territory, was not only a discovery of diverse landscapes and ancient culture, but also colorful characters. Most of these colorful characters, both past and present, can be discovered by visiting outback pubs. For example, one of my earlier posts described a visit to the 303 Bar at the Adelaide River Inn. There you can pose with "Charlie the Buffalo" from the 1986 movie Crocodile Dundee. This post will feature pubs along the route, from Katherine to Alice Springs (1,181 km). Yes, the distance between pubs in the Northwest Territory will give you a new perspective on a pub crawl.
After leaving Katherine it was onto Mataranka. In Mataranka we stayed at Mataranka Homestead
Caravan Park where we soaked in the hot springs. We also enjoyed the entertainment at the caravan park. The show that evening included a local entertainer, and a young man by the name of Grant, an excellent whip cracker.
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| Highest Bar, Northern Territory, Pink Panther Pub © Spaswinefood |
Mataranka to Tennant Creek:
Next morning we continued our travels southwards on the Stuart Highway, Highway 87. Soon we saw a pink sign.
After seeing the pink sign we knew that our first pub stop was not too far away.
Pink Panther Pub
Next morning we continued our travels southwards on the Stuart Highway, Highway 87. Soon we saw a pink sign.
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| We Saw The Pink Sign © Spaswinefood |
Pink Panther Pub
Our pub crawl began at the Pink Panther Pub in Larrimah Wayside Inn Caravan Park.
It is not only the pink color that will catch your attention. Let's take a closer look.
Some visitors have reported seeing wildlife at the Larrimah Wayside Inn Caravan Park. In our case we managed to see some turkey vultures.
It is so easy to miss the details, if you do not look closely.
But if you look closely there are even more details to see.
Obviously, we were not the only ones on tour. There was Mr. Greg's motor home parked at the front.
Soon, we were off to checkout the pub.
Onto the pub we go.
It was an opportunity to chat folks at the "Highest Bar in the Northern Territory".
Now, let's look around. A few of the pub details include:
The charm of the Pink Panther Pub is unique.
Nothing is wasted, lots of evidence of recycling here.
Obviously, some visitors know how to relax.
Too bad, it was too early in the morning, just before 10. Still, we were not the only visitor.
After a delightful stop we continued onwards towards Alice Springs.
As we travelled southwards we viewed the blue sky, lots of blue sky with clouds.
Soon Daly Waters, our next pub stop was just 2 km away.
When we reach the exit Daly Waters was just a little further off the highway.
We passed by the exit to the Stuart Tree.
Daly Waters Pub
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| Pink Panther, Larrimah Wayside Inn Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
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| Outback Services, Larrimah Wayside Inn Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
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| Turkey Vultures, Larrimah Wayside Inn Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
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| Checkout the Pink Panther, Larrimah Wayside Inn © Spaswinefood |
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| 13CABS, Larrimah Wayside Inn © Spaswinefood |
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| Spring Water, Larrimah Wayside Inn © Spaswinefood |
Obviously, we were not the only ones on tour. There was Mr. Greg's motor home parked at the front.
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| Mr. Greg: Travelling Entertainer © Spaswinefood |
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| Checking Details, Larrimah Wayside Inn © Spaswinefood |
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| Pink Panther Pub, Larrimah Wayside Inn © Spaswinefood |
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| Highest Bar, Northern Territory, Pink Panther Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Book Exchange, Pink Panther Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Bullshit Corner, Pink Panther Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Table Waiting, Pink Panther Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Cycling Bear, Pink Panther Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Relaxing, Pink Panther Pub © Spaswinefood |
Too bad, it was too early in the morning, just before 10. Still, we were not the only visitor.
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| Mr. Greg: Travelling Entertainer © Spaswinefood |
After a delightful stop we continued onwards towards Alice Springs.
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| Alice Springs is Only 992 km More © Spaswinefood |
As we travelled southwards we viewed the blue sky, lots of blue sky with clouds.
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| Onwards to Alice Springs © Spaswinefood |
Soon Daly Waters, our next pub stop was just 2 km away.
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| 2 km to Daly Waters © Spaswinefood |
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| Onward to Daly Waters © Spaswinefood |
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| Onwards to Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
Daly Waters Pub
Soon we arrived at the Daly Waters Pub. First, we decided to refuel. Never run out of fuel while traveling in the outback.
Again, we checked out the details.
Let's take a closer look at the display.
Let's take a look at the drive through.
This is Aussie humor at its best.
Yes, let's finish that fill up.
Now, finally we visited the pub.
Careful, do not forget the traffic light.
Finally we were inside checking out the details.
A few more details to checkout.
This is quite a spot.
Again, it was too early to stop
for lunch. We did however, take a restroom break before leaving.
Soon, it was time to leave.
The drive on Highway 87 continued, only 902 km to Alice Springs.
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| Outback Servo, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Display, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Map, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Translation Please, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| I Guess the Tours are Cancelled, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
Let's take a look at the drive through.
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| Drive Through, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
Yes, let's finish that fill up.
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| Self-Service, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Road Ready, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Off to the Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Traffic Lights, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
Finally we were inside checking out the details.
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| Reecepshun, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Reception Area, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Lots of Details, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| T-Shirt Display, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Construction Zone, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Beer Garden, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
This is quite a spot.
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| Panorama, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Blokes, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Shields, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Leaving, Daly Waters Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Alice Springs is only 902 km © Spaswinefood |
We continued south, passing caravans heading north, amid ever changing
blue sky and nearly flat highway with turns.
We passed caravans heading north.
Southwards we continued.
Picnic Lunch
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| Onwards to Alice Springs © Spaswinefood |
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| Onwards to Alice Springs © Spaswinefood |
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| Onwards to Alice Springs © Spaswinefood |
Picnic Lunch
We stopped for picnic lunch at roadside rest near Newcastle Waters,
just before Elliott.
We delighted in noting the many types of termite mounds, as we travelled through the Northern Territory. Past travelers obviously delighted in dressing up some of the termite mounds. This added the much needed entertainment, as we travelled along Highway 87. In fact some termite mounds were worthy of photos.
More service signs continued to appear along Highway 87. These are great reminders for travelers on Highway 87.
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| Alice Springs is only 783 km © Spaswinefood |
We delighted in noting the many types of termite mounds, as we travelled through the Northern Territory. Past travelers obviously delighted in dressing up some of the termite mounds. This added the much needed entertainment, as we travelled along Highway 87. In fact some termite mounds were worthy of photos.
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| Termite Mound, Highway 87 © Spaswinefood |
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| Onwards © Spaswinefood |
Our journey continued pass Banka Banka, and onto Attack Creek 24
hour rest-stop where we stayed overnight.
John enjoyed talking with
Jimmy and Lloyd from Sydney. It was Aussie humor at its best! He even took time to pose with his new mates.
The delights of traveling Highway 87 are endless.
Tennant Creek Onwards
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Attack Creek Rest-Stop © Spaswinefood
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| New Mates, Attack Creek Rest-stop © Spaswinefood |
Tennant Creek Onwards
Next morning we continued on towards Tennant Creek. We passed, just before Threeways, the
junction with the highway to Queensland. We continue south towards Alice Springs.
After passing the sign for Tennant Creek we started to look for a restaurant to have breakfast.
Around Tennant Creek
We stopped at Katerina's Cafe in Tennant Creek for breakfast. After an overnight at a 24-hour rest stop we so enjoyed breakfast.
We ordered a classic and a Greek breakfast.
After breakfast we back tracked to the Peebles, a sacred site for aboriginal women. Then we drove south to the Marbles, another sacred site. The latter site is more frequently visited. We found both sites to be worthwhile experiences, for us to better understand their cultural and spiritual significances to the local people.
The Marbles
Visiting the Pebbles and Marbles sites provided insights into the importance of the land to the aboriginal people.
Onwards to Wauchope
We stopped at Wauchope Roadhouse to visit the old pub. The pub was not as exciting as those visited yesterday.
After a quick look we continued south.
Beyond Tennant Creek to Wycliff Wells and Barrow Creek
We stopped at Wycliff Wells, UFO Capital of Australia, then Barrow Creek, another decorated pub, before heading onto Ti Tree Roadhouse Caravan Park for the night.
Wycliff Wells, UFO Capital of Australia
Just because we felt the need to travel further that day, we missed out on staying at the Wycliffe Well Holiday Park.
I guess we passed up hanging out with the aliens. Yes, it was our lost.
Barrow Creek
Our next stop was Barrow Creek to checkout the pub.
Again it was another colorful pub.
We continued our travels south on Highway 87. That day the blue sky and clouds provided quite a show.
Onwards we continued to Ti Tree.
Ti Tree Caravan Park
Soon after we checked in at Ti Tree Caravan Park it was time to prepare dinner and watch the sunset.
Yes, it was the perfect time to open a bottle of Margaret River wine from Vasse Felix, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. It was the perfect place to reflect back on our earlier visit to Vasse Felix.
After a restful night at Ti Tree Caravan Park it was onto Alice Springs next day.
Nowhere will you find more colorful pubs than in the Northern Territory. The pub crawl was fun given there is so much to do and see in the Central Australia region of Australia's Northern Territory. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or you can visit my travel column at the Examiner.
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| Tennant Creek © Spaswinefood |
Around Tennant Creek
We stopped at Katerina's Cafe in Tennant Creek for breakfast. After an overnight at a 24-hour rest stop we so enjoyed breakfast.
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| Katerina's Cafe, Tennant Creek © Spaswinefood |
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| Katerina's Cafe, Tennant Creek © Spaswinefood |
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| Greek Breakfast, Katerina's Cafe © Spaswinefood |
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| Classic Breakfast, Katerina's Cafe © Spaswinefood |
After breakfast we back tracked to the Peebles, a sacred site for aboriginal women. Then we drove south to the Marbles, another sacred site. The latter site is more frequently visited. We found both sites to be worthwhile experiences, for us to better understand their cultural and spiritual significances to the local people.
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| The Pebbles © Spaswinefood |
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| The Pebbles © Spaswinefood |
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| The Pebbles © Spaswinefood |
The Marbles
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| The Marbles © Spaswinefood |
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| The Marbles & Pebbles © Spaswinefood |
Onwards to Wauchope
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| Alice Springs is only 505 km © Spaswinefood |
We stopped at Wauchope Roadhouse to visit the old pub. The pub was not as exciting as those visited yesterday.
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| Pub, Wauchope Roadhouse © Spaswinefood |
Beyond Tennant Creek to Wycliff Wells and Barrow Creek
We stopped at Wycliff Wells, UFO Capital of Australia, then Barrow Creek, another decorated pub, before heading onto Ti Tree Roadhouse Caravan Park for the night.
Wycliff Wells, UFO Capital of Australia
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| Wycliff Wells, UFO Capital of Australia © Spaswinefood |
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| Wycliff Well Holiday Park, UFO Capital of Australia © Spaswinefood |
Barrow Creek
Our next stop was Barrow Creek to checkout the pub.
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| Barrow Creek © Spaswinefood |
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| Barrow Creek Pub © Spaswinefood |
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| Barrow Creek Hotel © Spaswinefood |
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| Onwards to Alice Springs © Spaswinefood |
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| South to Alice Springs © Spaswinefood |
Ti Tree Caravan Park
Soon after we checked in at Ti Tree Caravan Park it was time to prepare dinner and watch the sunset.
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| Sunset, Ti Tree Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
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| Relaxing at Ti Tree Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
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| Vasse Felix, Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 © Spaswinefood |
After a restful night at Ti Tree Caravan Park it was onto Alice Springs next day.
Nowhere will you find more colorful pubs than in the Northern Territory. The pub crawl was fun given there is so much to do and see in the Central Australia region of Australia's Northern Territory. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or you can visit my travel column at the Examiner.
Sharon
June 2015
Ti Tree
Ti Tree
Northern Territory, Australia
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