Mt Hart

 

Monday 12 June – Silent Grove to Mount Hart

We had read some reviews recently that Mount Hart was ‘boring’ and ‘overrated’ so we set off today with some small fear that we had filled Shaun with unrealistic expectations about how good it is.  We didn’t have a huge drive today so there was time for bacon and eggs for breakfast but, as we all wake up fairly early, we were probably still on the road by 8am.

A short back track to Imintji for fuel as L decided it was probably best not to stress about running about before we get to the other end as we are not sure how much fuel lugging the van in and out of numerous creek crossings to and from Mount Hart might be chewed up.

The drive in to Mount Hart puts a lot of people off as it is about 50km but we find it interesting as there are lots of fun creek crossings (albeit some quite muddy) and the road wends through picturesque hills that have interesting geological features with very black rock flowing down from the top of the hills that looks very igneous.

We made it to the station after about an hour of muddying up the car and van (and losing one leg handle in the bottom of a creek somewhere) and noticed immediately upon entering reception that the place has picked up its game since we were here last – lots of new helicopters, cars and plenty of staff running around in bright, shiny new uniforms with big smiles and European accents.  The backpackers are back!

We were checked in quickly and efficiently and made our way down to the campground where there were very few campers and hence we were able to set up in a “L” shape right on the riverbank.  We set up so that we are in the shade and Shaun in the sun as he needs his solar panels on his roof to be charging whereas our lithium batteries store charge for much longer.  J made Ryvitas with vegemite, cheese and tomato for all while the boys set up solar panels and made a fire pit and then we sat in the shade, ate lunch and admired the river views for a while.

Before we could start to get lazy and think about hammocks and naps, we roused ourselves and put on bathers etc and headed off to Barker’s Pool which is a deep section of river to the south of the station. Showing that this place is indeed improved since our previous visits, they have installed a bit metal staircase down into the river (whereas before you had to scramble down the muddy river bank)  and further down river we discovered a pedal boat for paddling up and down a 200m stretch of river.  Therefore much fun was had with swims and paddles and much guffawing at Shaun and Larry’s attempt to paddle their boat in a straight line.  Once they had mastered it, they were able to come and pick me up from the riverbank and I was then chauffeured up and down the river and decided there weren’t many better ways to spend a Monday afternoon.

We eventually hauled ourselves back onto dry land and headed back to the vans.  It is so warm that it was easier to just stay in wet bathers for the late afternoon/evening especially as tonight’s plan was to have a big campfire (probably our last of the holiday) and therefore there was no point in having showers and then getting all smoky.

Honey mustard chicken in the campfire was another hit and, once again, no leftovers.  To make the most of the campfire coals  we then had a mixed berry damper.  Shaun, having had a fridge drama earlier in the day when his van fridge kept tripping, contributed half melted Magnum icecreams to dribble over the hot damper.  Once again a winning combination was discovered and soon gobbled up.

Off for showers in the amenity block (also clean and tidy – what are these people on Facebook complaining about??) before the generator went off at 8pm and then time for bed.