THE WORST STORM WE HAVE EVER BEEN IN | Caravanning outback Australia | Daly Waters Pub

Welcome back to another week on the road.
This week we escape the build-up season in the Northern Territory and start the long journey towards the East Coast along the Barkley Highway. We make an overnight stop in at one of Australia's most iconic pubs, Daly Waters. Known for its quirky decor and lively atmosphere, Daly Waters Pub is a must-visit for any road trip through the Outback. In the middle of the outback, it was a nice sight to see a drive-through site with power and water, cooling off with the aircon pumping, and in there, two beautiful pools. Sites will set you back $40 per night, but the experience of staying at such a unique location is well worth it. Daly Waters is home to Tim's Junkyard, where visitors can explore a collection of vintage cars and other memorabilia. The friendly staff and fellow travellers make for a memorable stop on our journey towards the East Coast.
A couple of days and a few thousand kilometres later, we find ourselves in the small town of Julia Creek in outback Queensland. What was meant to be a quick and relaxing one-night stopover quickly turned into one of the most nerve-racking, scariest storms we've encountered. What can only be described as a small cyclone with howling winds, torrential rain, and flashes of lightning tore through this small town for nearly 2 hours, battering everything in its path. Trees and fences were uprooted, multiple caravan awnings were lost, and bins flew hundreds of metres away.
Anyway, we hope you enjoy this week's video. If you enjoy our content, please make sure to like and subscribe and leave us a comment we would love to know where you are all watching from!
Thelaparchives

[@TouristTheBus]

My god guys.. Our hearts were racing as we watched this. So glad you're all okay and nothing was damaged. How scary and the poor Daschhound 😢

[@Thelaparchives]

Aww thanks fam! Very lucky to not have anything damaged. I know my heart broke for the owner driving around looking! 😭

[@WilliamRiding-cc7vr]

In my opinion you guys are so lucky to have witnessed this storm ,I love a good storm but sorry it scared the little one I hope everything is good now and just a cool breeze remains.

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh we agree! We couldn’t stop watching it out the window, it was a little scary because we didn’t know if it would get even worse but once it was over we thought wow that was cool to watch! I think mum scared the little one more than anything haha

[@allwestaussieacco2571]

Well that brought back memories. Julia Creek 1990 Except about 100 car and trucks stopped because water covering road. Then midnight racing to get to coast . Wind like that have to face car and caravan into wind. Scary stuff.

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh wow that sounds wild! We were glad we were still connected to the car for the added weight!

[@gibbosroadtripadventures]

OMG how scary, your footage made me emotional, I thought you were going to blow away and you guys kept your cool, glad you ended up ok. Thanks for sharing your experience. Cheers Marg ☔️

[@Thelaparchives]

Thanks Marg! It was wild and we were definitely holding our breath for a bit, well Kayla was anyway Joel was calm as a cucumber! 😂 We will have to jump on and subscribe and watch some of your videos tonight!

[@damianvears4149]

Legend....Gets a beer from the car during that storm. Excellent that you guys survived unscathed and filmed it. Im surprised how stable your van was and a bloody good move having it hooked up to the car. Safe travels legends.

[@Thelaparchives]

Haha priorities! Oh we were stoked that we were on a drive through so it was all still connected gave us so much more stability!

[@dlbeck2023]

I understand why the couple were hanging on to awning. We weren't at our site at Big Red Bash 2023 when a random whirlwind went through and flipped our heavily secured awning. Lucky we were insured. $28000 to replace.

[@Thelaparchives]

Are you kidding I did not realise they were that much to replace!!!

[@dlbeck2023]

​@Thelaparchives it was ridiculous they replaced the whole top including air conditioner, 2 x 305 wt solar panels. Built new roof and swapped it. Luckily we asked what was to happen with old roof and they said it woukd be dumped. We asked if we could salvage 10 month old air con, solar panels and lights and they said yep. None of the roof was damaged except for trim where awning attached. Ridiculous costs.

[@David-f1y2z]

Best You tube camping video I’ve seen yet .👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😂

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh thanks so much, really appreciate that! Hopefully this was the one and only storm we get caught in 😂

[@David-f1y2z]

@ it shows the reality of what can happen , having said that I don’t think I’ve ever been in a storm that bad when camping 🤣🤣 , with the exception of mt cook NZ , a storm came up in the middle of the night , not one tent was left standing by the morning .

[@JenniferWhittome]

Hell no!!!! That was a bit of excitement for you 😮 so glad you got through it safe and sound 🥰😘

[@Thelaparchives]

Definitely got the adrenaline pumping but I wouldn’t like to do it again 😂

[@LillyRodger-r9l]

Daly waters was a fav of mine too! The storm looks wild 😣😣

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh it was so much fun, Layne loved running around looking at all the animals!

[@ShazBookOwl]

That was a wild storm! Agree we should be aware of weather when we're travelling & camping. Having said that, we've been caught out by a flash storm east coast NSW. Returned from a hike experienced winds wilder than we had expected, & found a collapsed awning. Luckily only a spreader pole buckled, and easily replaced. Plus, we all know sometimes weather predictions can be a bit off the mark. Glad you're all safe. Thoughts going out to those people affected by North (& FN) Queensland storms. 🫂

[@Thelaparchives]

Wasn’t it just! We only tend to look at the forecast when we are staying somewhere for a few days but not so much during travel days where we are stopping somewhere overnight! Most of the time we are checking how god damn hot it’s going to be and not for storms. I know we have been seeing all of the flash flooding footage from our friends in Airlie it’s relentless!

[@gallardoo9]

that trailer is like a sail to high off the ground a good side wind and its on its side id rather sit inside the vehicle will be a lot safer and those water leaks make sure you take care of them ive been through a few tornadoes high wind is no joke good luck great video

[@johnmanshanden8271]

You must be travelling in The wet season. Which most people don't do from Nanna di in Australia

[@Thelaparchives]

This was filmed back in November so just at the beginning of the wet season :-)

[@LotsMore2C]

So glad you kept safe. That was certainly a doozy!! Def a wise idea to turn off the power and bring in your awning. Have you solved the leak issue yet? We keep a constant check on forecasts. Back in early Oct we heard a long range forecaster (Lenox Walker's son) predict higher than average rainfall and more severe storms for the east coast and Territory this summer. We changed our plans completely and headed west. Stay safe

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh thank you! Yeah definitely safer to disconnect from any power sources, Kayla heard a surge of power come through the system and it started to beep so we just lent on the window and disconnected. We haven’t had an issue with the water since, we think it was just the angle the rain was coming and the vents on the side of the van! We hope you and your family are well too :-)

[@paultabone2010]

Wow what a stormy ⛈️ Did you track the storm on your weather app and see what was coming. Glad the family are safe,take care.

[@Thelaparchives]

Crazy wasn’t it! We rolled in to camp at around 3pm for an overnight stop and it just looked grey but nothing to be alarmed about. The storm came out of no where but we had the radar up once it had already hit to see if it was going to pass. Thank you hope you and your family are well too :-)

[@paultabone2010]

@@Thelaparchives I can tell you that I was a little nervous for you and the family, but so glad you were able to get out safely.

[@jomorgan48]

Smart thinking keeping the awning wrapped up. I still can't understand why people leave them open to the elements. Thank you for the footage. We've heard about the storms up north but of course don't see and feel it. You and the young one handled it very well.

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh thank you! Yeah we don’t mess around with the wind and the awning, if it starts flapping around we bring it straight away. It’s not worth it. Thanks for watching we are so glad you liked it :-)

[@jomorgan48]

@@Thelaparchives I found out a lot of the effects of winds from my hubby who was a design engineer and also worked on aircraft in the navy between 1948 and 1956 - the old times. The aircraft were very much affected by winds and windsheer. You learnt a lot more in those days because technology had not yet taken over. Just enjoy the journey and keep safe. Each day brings new adventures

[@SheepfarmingAustralia]

That’s the wet season for ya up in the NT .. gets full on at times up there with the rain

[@Thelaparchives]

Soo wild! It just hits all of a sudden

[@SheepfarmingAustralia]

@ I remembered when I was in daily waters & it was raining all night & the thunder was about my swag & it scared the hell out of me .. 2am in morning it was .. new subscriber aswell from another KZbin

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh wow it would even crazier in a swag too! Oh thank you for your support it really does mean the world to us xx

[@KellieMcLeod]

Stay safe guys.😮

[@Thelaparchives]

Thanks Kellie, time to head south we think 😊

[@Kayla-t9q]

So wild!!!

[@CourtneyDwyer-k5i]

This is giving me fomo 😍

[@Thelaparchives]

So many beautiful places to explore!

[@Lifestyle_Brisbane]

Jeepers, that storm was wild, looks like you prepared well, unlike some.

[@Thelaparchives]

Yeah we try to be prepared, you never know what Mother Nature is going to throw at you out here always better to pack everything away and disconnect if you can!

[@nzmarkb8713]

Good to see you came out safely

[@Thelaparchives]

Thanks mate! Very lucky that we popped the awning in early. Wish we could have stayed to help clean up but bit dangerous when you live in a tin can on wheels!

[@Carolanne1926]

Hi new subscriber from Bundaberg Queensland we get storms like all the time here

[@Thelaparchives]

Thanks for subscribing! We love getting new viewers from all over. :-) Oh wow, you would be a pro at prepping for them!

[@stevenicsadventures]

What a ride 🍺🍺

[@Thelaparchives]

Bloody crazy, but it least Joel had a beer in hand!

[@stevenicsadventures]

@ what a man 💪🏼💪🏼

[@lj2miller]

That is very very windy. Wow!

[@Thelaparchives]

Wasn’t ideal but also couldn’t stop staring out the window!

[@goldfinchphotography]

Woah 😮

[@Thelaparchives]

Wild times!!!

[@deesalkelly3069]

check before you come to cairns - especially if you want to travel on the Bruce Hwy. Its going to be closed for a long time from a bridge washout . Ingham area is devastated by floods. Im in Townsville and just had over 2000mm of rain.

[@Thelaparchives]

Aww thank you! We are actually in Sunshine Coast now, this was filmed a little while ago in November, but that is very sweet of you! I hope you and your family are staying safe!

[@robynregan1096]

That is great. We were at the Sunny coast but now live in Gympie until we sell. Ready to go back on the road again! House living isn't that great once you have had the freedom on the road.

[@Thelaparchives]

Haha right! Would be such an adjustment after travelling, although I do miss lying on a comfy couch 😂

[@exploremoorelife]

Why didn't they put the awning away?? Why would you leave it out with a storm coming? I don't get it 😮😮😮

[@philipwilson3454]

All part of the fun.

[@Thelaparchives]

Very true! It was cool to see a storm upfront, we were glued to the window!

[@mardinigro7312]

Doubt you'll get to Cairns going via the Bruce Highway...

[@Thelaparchives]

This was filmed in November! We luckily got out of Airlie beach a few days before the storm hit there, we are somewhat dry in Sunshine Coast now :-)

[@GrahamSmyth-um6uh]

Holy shit glad all of you are ok. Never trust the weather in the never never . Safe travels be careful

[@Thelaparchives]

Your right, you can't trust the weather. Thank you for your kind words 😄

[@off-gridoutbackaustralia]

Come to sa it has been 44 for the last few days here in regional sa.. might have to rename sa to the sunshine state LoL

[@Thelaparchives]

Haha it is on the list! But knowing our luck we will roll in and bring the bad weather with us 😂

[@off-gridoutbackaustralia]

@Thelaparchives you can leave that wind behind lol but Im keen for rain haha 😂 if you haven't already planned ya sa trip I recommend looking up coffin bay and it's national park , greenly beach , farm beach ,wailers way Elliston ECT lots of good places down that way , that's were I would be going if I had a chance used to go to there all the time when I was younger it's such a nice place

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh we haven't planned much of SA as of yet, so I am jotting all of this down in my notes section! Love a little insider local scoop :-)

[@off-gridoutbackaustralia]

@@Thelaparchives alot of ppl miss greenly beach on there adventures. just google greenly beach and greenly beach rock pools U will see why I recommend them lol 😂 also caught my biggest salmon there too if yous like fishing

[@sams8243-z2h]

😅😅😅😅, yeah we were in SA in early 2023 and it pissed down nearly every day, the wind was horrendous as well. SA ain't the sunshine state lol😅😅😅😅

[@20twenty4can]

Their not chickens, they are chooks. Right?😅

[@Thelaparchives]

Hahaha yes yes chooks!

[@scottalcorn1973]

Why would you park so the storm hits the side of the van. I would had it facing. Less surface area for the wind to hit but also the car would block most of it...

[@Thelaparchives]

These were drive through slab sites you could only park the one way. We didn’t foresee the storm when we arrived unfortunately!

[@robynregan1096]

I hope you are safe and not around the floods.

[@Thelaparchives]

Aww thank you! We are in the Sunshine Coast now. We left Airlie beach last week just before it all hit, very lucky!

[@brentonl2631]

We copped a storm like that in Tassie last year 120mm in 6 hours.

[@Thelaparchives]

Oh wow that is a lot of rain, hope you guys stayed safe!

[@holdenbrougham1056]

Grab a seat as they fly by😂

[@Thelaparchives]

Hahah! The best part for me was the guy who lost one of his thongs and a lady yells out “anyone lost a thong” 😂😂

[@scottdaviesvk2sdx319]

Was this the November 11th storm? If so the winds were recorded at 145 km/h !!!!

[@Thelaparchives]

I just checked my date stamp on one of the videos, yeah it was! Wow it really ripped through didn’t it!

[@scottdaviesvk2sdx319]

Wow you guys were lucky. Safe travels!

[@howardwilliams7399]

Why would you leave the awning out in weather like that, must have known that that was coming surely.

[@Thelaparchives]

We don’t tend to check the weather forecast on travel days as we just drive as long as we can until we get tired! When we rolled in to Julia creek it just looked overcast, the storm rolled in very quick!

[@petermercer5968]

When you travelling around Australia, always watch the weather patterns .

[@Thelaparchives]

Absolutely, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the weather.

[@stevemonssen3012]

If its rocking dont bother knocking

[@Thelaparchives]

Hahaha the comment of the day!

[@stevemonssen3012]

​@@Thelaparchives glad you guys are ok

[@Thelaparchives]

Thanks steve 😊

[@robynregan1096]

Wouldn't go to Charters Towers. I am hoping if you have headed there that you are there high and dry.

[@Thelaparchives]

We did an overnight stop there, didn’t walk around the town or anything!

[@acp1866]

Slow down, there is no rush. Cyclones are off the coast.

[@Thelaparchives]

This was the storm at Julia Creek back in November! We are safe in the Sunshine Coast now :-)

[@acp1866]

@@Thelaparchives Shit are you that far behind.

[@Thelaparchives]

Hahah 😂 we are!! We did stop for work in Airlie for a month and a half

[@Stevensue7175]

Brutal....

[@Thelaparchives]

Not ideal! 😂

[@grahameroberts8109]

40 American Dollars at Daly Waters. I don’t carry that currency!

[@Thelaparchives]

$40 Aus dollars!

[@grahameroberts8109]

@ You said bucks. You are in Australia!🇦🇺 It’s DOLLARS, not bucks. Cheers.

[@krh007]

Man that was wild. It must have been forecast so you had some warning upfront to prepare? If you did have some warning i would have pointed the front of the car into the wind so less buffering of the attached caravan for safety reasons

[@Thelaparchives]

It was crazy! We didn’t arrive to Julia Creek until like 3pm it looked a little grey but nothing to worry about, the intensity of the storm wasn’t forecast! We got the awning down when the first gust of wind hit and even getting it in was risky, we were the only ones who didn’t lose it!

[@LotsMore2C]

Good idea but you can't really change the car/van position in a CP (where there are concrete slabs and power poles). Lol

[@neillstephenson5482]

Awning out shows you very poor judgement of some people.

[@lynleykennedy8688]

Why would you travel into that. You are in the most exposed area.

[@Thelaparchives]

This was filmed back in November it was a bit of a freak storm that just came out of nowhere! We do need to get better at checking forecasts though..

[@archons909]

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[@Thelaparchives]

Sending you lots of love X

[@tyzon00800]

Daly waters over rated over priced once visited no need to go back

[@Thelaparchives]

Yeah look totally agree it’s one of those places you just need to visit the once!

[@mariomanestar4804]

Watch your mouth teaching your child

[@Thelaparchives]

I think we will leave the parenting up to the actual parents.