The drive to Fitzroy Crossing wasn't especially exciting, except for the torrential rainfall as we left Brome, followed by the massive weather systems that were forming around us as we drove. Somehow, after the first hour of rain we managed to drive down a corridor of sunshine.
Enroute we saw the massive Boab Tree. Big enough to warrant its own siding, complete with benches information boards and BBQ bays.
Other than that our stops were mainly to appreciate the landscape, incredibly long straight roads, and the impressively large and imposing clouds around us.
We arrived in Fitzroy and checked into the Fitzroy Lodge. The lodge is really the only place worthy of staying in, but the photos in their brochure are wildly outdated to the reality these days. Needless to say it was still a pleasant stay. They lodge is built within the flood plains of the Fitzroy River, and I don't say flood plain lightly. The entire complex bar the restaurant and reception building which was already on raised ground, was built entirely on stilts approximately 3.5m off the ground.
Dinner was another scotch fillet, cooked rare and breakfast was eggs Benedict.
The problem with driving between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek is that there is no fuel, or anything at all for that matter. Some river crossings that had obviously been upgraded, leaving the old bridges as a cascade, great for rest stops, but I don't expect this drive is one they rave about in the guide books.
As we arrived in Halls Creek, we made a quick detour to China Wall. On the way, we say a Willy Willy start and then stop right in our path. I've seen a fair few of them, but they usually pass within seconds, never long enough for a photo.
China Wall itself was alright. Described as a natural vein of sub-vertical white quartz, a natural occurring 'wall' that rises up 6m from the ground and basically looks like a stone wall, with bricks and everything.
We checked into the luxury Halls Creek Motel. I'm being sarcastic, but it wasn't bad at all. The rooms were big, clean, food in the restaurant was good, which they opened on request (it seems a fairly common thing during off season), and there was only one lizard in my room.
