Date: 19th July 2025
Travelled: 130 kms from Nitmiluk to Pine Creek
Visited: Lazy Lizard and the Shed
Stayed: Lazy Lizard CP, $45, S13.82138, E131.83458
After leaving Nitmiluk we do a quick stop at Katherine to empty the cassette, a loaf of Brumbyโs bread and fill with diesel. From Katherine itโs an easy hour to Pine Creek. This section of the Stuart Highway is poor.
We could have easily continued on as it was still early but a night at the Lazy Lizard was highly recommended. Pine Creek is one of the oldest towns in the NT, originally titled Playford although it was never known by that name. The name was only officially changed in 1973 to Pine Creek.
Historically Pine Creek was a gold mining area and key stop on the railway line to Palmerston (Darwin).
We check-in and find our park under some shade and get the Jayco set up for the night. The Lazy Lizard and Pine Creek itself is a bit of an oasis here on the edge of Arnhem Land. Green grass plenty of shade a lovely park and open air museum.
A couple of pictures of the bar and restaurant below. Quiet at midday but full from happy hour at 4.30.
Best of all you walk through the pub to The Shed Museum ($5) full of classic cars and motorcycles. Pam disappointingly doesnโt share my enthusiasm saving us $5 and I get to enjoy it myself.
So we find ourselves out to dinner with our new best friends Dave and Carol whose motorhome is parked next door. Cheap beer and wine, expensive meal, but we are at Pine Creek.
Carol is something of a bird watcher and sometime after the first drink goes out hoping for a photo of a Hooded Parrot or Pine Creek Parrot endemic to the NT but only found here. Pam comes back with 150 photos which I manage cull to this one which was pretty good.
Pam is keen for the usual forced march in the morning so we head off early to explore Pine Creek. First stop the railway museum.
Sadly thatโs it weโve done Pine Creek, could easily spend another day.
Michael + Pam
