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Published: September 28th 2009
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Channel Point - 21.08.09
Sunrise over the Timor Sea, Northern Territory. Bucket Billabong in Kakadu N.P. proved to be a challenge for me when it came to catching Barramundi. Leonie didn't seem to have many problems getting a 'keeper' each day. She was even catching them and giving fish to other campers. We outstayed Sal, Mark, PK and Kim. They all retreated to the deserted island off the Kimberley Coast. Ken, Aloha, Bungy and Doreen arrived to try their hand at Bucket Barramundi. Enough of the fresh-water fishing lets go to Channel Point on the west side of Litchfield National Park for some salt-water action. We also obtained a permit to enter Arnhem Land for 7 days at Cobourg Peninsula.
Channel Point is a mangrove-lined part of the coast near the mouth of the Daly River and east of the Peron Islands. We had five days of mud crabs to spare. We caught some in our crab trap and some dragging them out of the mangroves at low tide. More computer problems, this time the power supply for the laptop died, so no Internet or emails. Back to Wangi Falls in Litchfield N.P. to see just what the tourists are doing. Looks like they have been relaxing in cool-clear water at
Channel Point
Leonie on the Channel Point Boat Ramp, Northern Territory. the base of a beautiful waterfall. Poor souls. Back to Palmerston to restock the groceries, try to get the computer power supply repaired ( bad luck had to buy another one as it was a two week wait for parts from Sydney-so much for warranty repairs) and to pick-up the permit for Cobourg N.P.
We stopped off at 4 Mile Hole for a few days. More freshwater Barramundi. Stopped overnight in a Caravan Park at Jabiru. This is where I made a terrible error. Leonie wanted me to top up the diesel tanks and I said there was no need as we had plenty. So off to Cobourg N.P. via the 320km of rough-corrugated dirt road that had many patches of 'Bulldust'. When we arrived I realised that we would only have enough fuel for our return trip and not enough to go sightseeing with.
Dam, why didn't I listen to her.
We managed to swap 20 litres of petrol for 20 litres of diesel, which saved the day. We put the boat in and fished. Leonie caught Coral Trout, Spangled Emperor, Sharks, Flathead, Spanish Flag, Batfish, Cod and more sharks. The days were hot, 34degrees but pleasant. The
Port Essington
Table Head in Port Essington, Cobourg Penninsula, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. coastline is pristine and magnificent. Turquoise blue water, coral bommies, sandy beaches with turtle nesting sites and crocodile slides. The N.P. Rangers were very helpful especially Cynthia she went out of her way to help. She also spent time teaching us some of her Iwaja language and culture. Met up with Bev and Lindsay again, they were staying for two weeks. The camp areas had cold showers, garbage bins, shade covers, picnic tables and composting toilets. After seven days of life in Paradise we had to return to the real-world and head back along the 320km of corrugations to the East Alligator River and the little town of Jabiru. At this point in time we had 26km of fuel left in the tank. Top-up the food and fuel and get set for the next adventure.
Where to next??? We looked at Sandy Billabong (thats one place where you dont swim) and Murella Park.
Well we decided to try our luck at Jim Jim Billabong. The camp area was dirty, dry and dusty. Zelda had told us about a track that leads to the other side of the billabong, around past the now deserted 'Outback Boutique', We set-up camp in
Araru
Sunrise over the Main Beach at Araru Aboriginal Outstation, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory the peace and quiet of the shade trees. We heard a noise in the mudguard but dismissed it as possibly a frog. At night we spotted a small rodent type 'critter' roaming around the camp. We took some pictures of him and then did some research on the internet to identify him. It was fairly obvious that he was a boy. We decided it was a 'Brush Tail Rabbit Rat' which it seems is an endangered species. Next thing the Ranger arrived and informed us that we were not allowed to camp just anywhere we had to stay within the 'Designated Gamp Ground'. We still had noises coming from the mudguard. So after receiving our eviction notice we decided to try the back road around to Bucket Billabong. When we arrived we still had noise in the mudguard. Finally I decided to check it out. And guess what? It was our Brush Tail Rabbit Rat who had apparently travelled with us all the way from Cobourg Peninsula. The ranger decided that we should try to capture it so that it could be returned to Cobourg. The ranger arrived the next day and took our furry friend back to Cobourg via the mail plane.
Thanks to some friendly local rangers we were able to obtain a permit to return to Arnhem Land and visit the Community at Araru Point. Twelve people live on this remote piece of paradise on the edge of the Arafura Sea. We spent seven glorious days fishing, walking, collecting shells, and crabbing. Now its back to the shade at Bucket Billabong, again. The temperature seems to hover around 38degrees during the day and drop down to about 25 at night. Met up with Ken and Aloha and Kim and PK again.
Where to next???
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Wendy
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Keep the storeys coming.
Nice to know you are having a great time. Catching plenty and keeping well. Keep the storeys and photos coming. Ta...