Changes to accommodation- Pine Creek & Doon Doon

Just received an email from Doon Doon Roadhouse in WA on the Darwin to Broome ride stating that they are sorry for the inconvenience but their camping ground will be closed for the year of 2013. Collis rang them straight away to confirm and it is true. Apparently they were having work done on the toilet blocks when something drastic went wrong and it will take the whole year to sort it all out.

There is a spot on the Dunhum River but it is a 24 hour public rest stop and these aren't always very pleasant. It is about 20 kms short of Doon Doon making the ride on that day around 90 kms (was 110 kms) and the next day would go up to 115kms (was 95 kms). Too far for the riders to ride for a meal so therefore I will have to add another bush camp meal onto the itinerary. Hopefully there will be some water in the river, not too much though. Here are some pictures from the internet showing some of the extremes of the Dunhum River.

If the rest area is not too busy and the water is not too high then we probably will give it a go for camping.

Pine Creek

We have been trying for months to contact our friends in Pine Creek re- accommodation at their small intimate caravan park but without success. They are still living at the park but they do not seem to be taking any guests.

Collis is currently investigating a night (on the way to Darwin and one night on the way from Darwin) at a different stop called Emerald Springs. It looks very nice as they have renovated the roadhouse and are continuing to update with a swimming hole and a lake. We are waiting for a response from the owners as to whether they can cope with a large group of rowdy cyclists. 

Will update the itineraries once these changes have been confirmed.