Banka Banka

200 kilometres after an uneventful stopover for the night at Barkly Homestead Roadhouse, we reach the Stuart Highway, the major artery through the centre that connects Adelaide in the South with Darwin in the North. If you think that things change, think again! The traffic is so low that oncoming car drivers wave their hand. The road continues to be unfenced, and of course there is only one lane; now however for each direction.

Our first stop is Banka Banka Station. Banka Banka is a lovely and relaxed spot. A historic cattle farm, and there is a little private museum with collectables that witness a time long gone by.

In Aussie terms Banka Banka with its 1,500 skm area is average size — but still bigger than most German councils. Today, only around 200 skm are still being used for cattle farming. We presume that the revenue through camping is more important now.

In walking distance from the station’s dwellings there is a waterhole that at dusk apparently attracts lots of wildlife. It's here that Claudia and I (after our first visit in 2005) rediscover the magnificent colours of the Outback, especially the teaming orange of the glowing rock surfaces, and the bright white of majestic eucalyptus trees.

After sunset, a community fire is lit in the farmyard, and an interesting bunch of people from all over the world sits together over a happy banter. We like the place so much that we return again after our “detour” up north to Kakadu National Park.

[Barkly Homestead Roadhouse, 14.-15. August]
[Banka Banka Outstation, 15.-16. and 26.-27. August]