Land Watch in the Territory: A Journey through the Top End
Our latest adventure took us to the Northern Territory, where we flew from Brisbane to Darwin. The flight felt longer than expected, especially with no food offered by Virgin Australia (come on, Virgin!). But we were pleasantly surprised by Darwin Airport. It’s bigger than we imagined and looks like it's had a fresh renovation – quite impressive!
Car hire was a breeze, and soon we were in our trusty steed for the trip: a Mazda BT-50. I was hoping for a Hilux with a bulbar, but we’ll see how this one handles the dust of the outback!
First Stop: Mount Bundy Station
After a quick pit stop at Bunnings to pick up some concrete for an installation at Mary River West Station, we made our way to Mount Bundy Station near Adelaide River. But not without a stop at Berry Springs for a swim! If you haven’t been, put it on your list. The water was clean, clear, and warmer than expected – a popular spot for good reason. I’d highly recommend a dip.
We arrived at Mount Bundy Station and settled into our cabin before heading to the famous Adelaide River Pub for dinner. The pub is a gem with good food and great atmosphere. The 5.5-meter-long taxidermied crocodile and the real-life (taxidermy) buffalo from Crocodile Dundee are just a couple of the quirky features that make this place unique.
Security on the Stations
The next morning, we were up at first light and off to our first station to meet the manager and confirm the plan for their Stage 1 security camera installation. This station is no small fry – it's about 1.2 million acres across a couple of blocks and has been facing issues with unwanted visitors. Poachers have been sneaking in, not just shooting feral animals but also the occasional Brahman, just for fun – and not even taking the meat!
Our goal was to get cameras set up at the two main entrances, but we needed repeater stations to make it work. Thankfully, the property had some existing UHF repeater towers, which will be perfect for maintaining line of sight. Starlink at the office should do the trick for connectivity.
On the way out, we got a little taste of adventure with a few water crossings. The "Beware of Crocodile" signs were a stark reminder that we’re a long way from the Sunshine Coast!
Lunch and More Adventures
Lunch was at the Lazy Lizard – great food and a unique venue with all sorts of paraphernalia and even a car and bike museum out back, which made for a nice break.
Our next destination was a station with new owner’s keen to protect their investment and improve efficiency. The station is off a long, dead-end gravel road, making it crucial to have a record of anyone on the road. They had massive fuel storage on site that needed monitoring, and extending Wi-Fi coverage around the complex was key. After some in-depth discussions about their operations and how our systems could help, we were on our way.
Our accommodation for the night was at Mary River West, a station of around 250,000 acres. With a roadhouse on the highway, it felt like a perfect home away from home. Two of our install team were on site, completing a water and trap monitoring camera project – the first stage of a comprehensive monitoring and connectivity plan.
South to Mataranka
Thursday morning saw us heading south past Katherine and Mataranka to another enormous station. Connectivity was crucial here for keeping an eye on the avgas to prevent any unwanted chopper refuelling and securing the yards and grids, given its proximity to Daly Waters. Naturally, a visit to the famous Daly Waters Pub was a must-do.
On the way back, we stopped at Bitter Springs just outside Mataranka. What an oasis! The clearest water I’ve ever seen, floating along with just a handful of tourists, after driving through a dry, fire-scorched highway. It was surreal.
Wrapping Up the Trip
Friday was dedicated to exploring the area and the station we were on, planning the next stages of our installation. We had a bit of fun with the local wildlife and met some friendly folks along the way.
Saturday was all about helping wrap up the install before heading back to Darwin. A quick (and much-needed) car wash for the Mazda – not sure rental cars are meant to get quite that dirty! – then it was off to the airport. Just made it in time, though our flight was delayed.
Final Thoughts
The Northern Territory was everything I hoped it would be – vast, rugged stations, larger-than-life characters, and that thrilling 130 km/h speed limit on the open road. It's a place where every trip is an adventure, and I can't wait to get back out there. Until next time, Territory!