The Crawshaws’ Road Trip To Darwin - Halls Creek

Sunday 05 May - although the next leg of our journey was about a 7 hour drive, there was little to engage our interest in Halls Creek, so we departed Broome at the more leisurely hour of 9am. Goodbyes and many thanks to Terry and Angela for a wonderful stay, with great value for money. We left amid promises to return in the not too distant future, and hit the road, bound for Halls Creek.

The journey was uneventful, with the obligatory cows wandering across the highway in their leisurely fashion. Thus far, we were able to see ahead and slow down when necessary. I would hate us to tangle with one of those impressive sides of beef.

We made a pit stop at Fitzroy Crossing, then arrived in Halls Creek in the late afternoon. We were booked in to the Kimberley Hotel, which, while comfortable, was unable to compete with our previous abodes. It brought us back to basics and reality. 

Michael went off to have a beer and I was to join him later. I’m not sure why I thought this plan would have any chance of working. Possibly I am ever hopeful . We had been to the bar area when checking in, as reception was in the same building. However, this building is tucked away in the middle of the compound. As I left our room, the light was fading fast. I set off. I walked this way and that, not recognising any landmarks that might give me a clue. Of course I should have done the breadcrumb trail because that is the only way I would have found the bar. There were a few people smoking outside their rooms, and I was conscious, yet again, of looking like a lost dill. I walked back, thankfully found our car, and phoned Michael. Basically I said where are you, and where am I? Fed up with my insane lack of direction. He managed to get me through the narrow walkway to reception (very tiny sign!), past the pool and into the aforementioned building. I eventually found reception and while I was there, let them know our aircon remote was not working. Of course, in my haste to find the bar, I forgot to bring it with me. So the manager said he would come back with me and get it. Then he asked me where was our room. I guess the look on my face was enough for him to grab a map of the compound and off we went. Our remote needed new batteries. The manager didn’t have a screwdriver to replace them and the maintenance man had knocked off at 4pm. So he just gave me the remote out of his office. I headed to the bar for a much needed drink.

We ate dinner in the bar, which was tricky due to the amount of flies vying for their share. We went back to our room fairly early, big drive to Kununurra the following day.

                               Fitzroy Crossing 

Kimberley Hotel