Another day, more kilometers, more red dust and surprisingly few additional creatures. We spotted the dingo at our morning tea break and the snake was crossing the road just a little later. The aeroplane needs some explanation. Roughly mid way along the Tanami Road there is a gold mine called the Granites Gold Mine run by Newmont Gold Mine. While passing this mine we spotted this passenger jet getting ready to takeoff. It was a little mind blowing. Here we are in what feels like the middle of nowhere and we see a jet plane just off to our left!

Once past The Granites Gold Mine the road seemed to improve a bit and we passed a number of road trains. So I thought it worth giving a few figures that I have seen about road trains. I have seen a number of roadside signs that specify the maximum length of a road train as 53.5 meters, or 173 feet and on the side of some of the prime-movers or tractors I have observed a weight limit of 130 metric tonnes (thats 286,000 lbs). Here is an interesting link on road trains.

Late in the afternoon we arrived at Yuendumu and took a quick look around but since fuel was not low we did not stop. About 30kms later the gravel road gave way to nice new sealed road and for all practical purposes our Tanami adventure was over.

We found another informal camping spot near a derelict windmill and dam and settled in for the night, again postponing bed time in order to watch the stars emerge.