Katherine to Darwin

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Day 25 Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls 24/07/06

Once again, due to the noisy bats, we awoke reasonably early. We packed up after breakfast and headed back into Katherine for a top up of supplies and fuel. At about 10.15am, again we headed North on the Stuart Highway, this time for Edith Falls. As it was only a short drive we arrived at about 11.00am. This place is incredible, a hidden oasis. There is green grass and shaded camp spots everywhere. Once we had chosen our preferred camp spots, we set up and walked back down to the kiosk to find out what this place had to offer. From here we decided to head to the swimming hole and it was great. All of us went in for a swim, eventually, as initially it was pretty cold. Once in the water and acclimatised, it was very refreshing. We checked out the various types of fish swimming around with goggles & snorkels and all had a great time. A while later, we returned to our shady camp spot and, whilst the adults relaxed with drinks & dips, the kids played under the sprinkler on the lawn. They had a ball. Before nightfall we prepared dinner and Wayne, with William’s help, lit another fire for us. We sat around the fire chatting with some other campers while the kids toasted marshmallows. After the marshmallows ran out, it was showers and bed. Unfortunately, all the excitement, drink and spicy dinner caught up with William and he awoke not feeling too well in the early hours of the morning. After a short time we settled him down and managed to get him back off to sleep. As per usual, he awoke early morning no the worse for wear!

Day 26 Edith Falls to Cooinda, Kakadu 25/07/06

As previously mentioned we awoke early and after breakfast, packed up. We moved the vehicles and campers to the car pack and walked the track to the upper falls. This was about a 2 k round trip but very worth while. The views, the water hole and the falls were fantastic. We were all disappointed we hadn’t taken our bathers, as it was as just as inviting as the lower falls and swimming hole. On return to the car park, we headed back out to the Stuart Highway and north to Pine Creek. Arriving here at around 11.10am, we refueled and then headed into Kakadu National Park to Gagudju Lodge, Cooinda. On arrival at 1.00pm, we were directed to our camp sites where we set up for 3 nights! After setting up we went to the office where we booked our Yellow Water River Cruise for the following morning and the headed to the swimming pools as it was pretty hot. We spent the remainder of afternoon here. The kids had an absolute ball in the pool and were reluctant to leave. So we bought them ice creams, while we had a few drinks at the Resort Bar, before returning to camp for dinner and an early night.

Day 27 Cooinda, Kakadu 26/07/06

We awoke reasonably early so we could have breakfast over and done and be ready for the 8.40am shuttle bus to the Yellow Water River Cruise. Although we were at the bus stop well before 8.40am, there were running about 15mins late. Once in the bus, it was only a short trip down to the boat and it wasn’t long before we were away from the mooring. We were only underway for a few minutes and looking at some of the wildlife on the billabong when we spotted the first crocodile, affectionately named Pluto. He was about 4 metres in length and thought to be about 40 years old. Apparently, he surfaces for the cruise boats to have photos taken and hides from the fishing boats. We cruised on from here seeing wild horses, numerous smaller crocodiles, all sorts of birds including sea eagles, as well as some barramundi some fishermen had caught. The highlight of the cruise for the children was that they all got to drive the boat on our return trip! This is a spectacular cruise and we would recommend to all that come to this area. We were returned to the park by coach where we had lunch. After lunch we checked out the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, which was interesting and then drove to Mardugal. We walked the Mardugal Billabong walk, very cautious of crocodiles and as it was so hot, decided to return to the resort and its pools. Even so, Leanne and Sue decided to do the Yellow Waters walk, while Wayne and I took the children to the pool. Once the girls returned from their walk, we spent the remainder of the afternoon swimming and lazing around the pool. After dinner, we went to a free talk by one of the local rangers on ‘Crocodiles’. It consisted of an informative talk along with a slide show. They also had a croc skull which the kids enjoyed handling. We then went up to the resort bar where we listened to the entertainment while the kids had an ice cream. About 9.30pm we retired to the camp for an early night.

Day 28 Cooinda, Kakadu 27/07/06

After breakfast, as we had decided to get some sight seeing and walks done before the heat of the day set in, we drove out towards Jabiru. First stop was Mirrai Lookout. It was a reasonably steep, rocky, 600 metre walk up to the lookout, but well worth it. With almost uninterrupted 360’ views of the surrounding countryside, it was great. From here we drove to Nourlangie Rock, where we checked out some fantastic examples of Aboriginal art. Leanne and the children took in a half hour talk by one of the rangers which they enjoyed. We also did the lookout walk which provided another excellent view of the surrounds. Then drove back to Anbangbang Billabong where we had lunch at a picnic table looking out into the billabong. As it was starting to get hot, the Haywards decided they would return to the resort. Leanne, the boys and I walked around the Anbangbang Billabong track of approx 2.5k’s, then up to the Nawurlandja Lookout before heading back to camp. The views and sights were fantastic and we were glad we did the extra walks. On return to camp, after the boys did some diary work, it was swimming time again. Once dinner was finished, it was a reasonably early night as we were on the move again tomorrow.


Day 29 Cooinda to Merl (via Jabiru) 28/07/06

As we had to be on the road well before the heat of the day, we awoke early. We packed up and hit the road at about 9am bound for Jabiru. We visited the ‘Bowali Visitor Centre’ on the way, arriving in Jabiru at 10.15am. We stocked up supplies at the Shopping Plaza, refueled the car and had lunch at the bakery before driving out to Merl. Although some people had warned us about the mozzies here, after speaking to Helen and Michael, we all decided to go anyway. The Merl campsite is in the National Park, it is un-powered but has toilets and water, with a token fee of only $5.40 per adult. As it was pretty hot, we set up the trailers quickly. Whilst Wayne got a fire going, the girls prepared the meat and veggies for our ‘bush stew’ dinner. At the kid’s request, we had also bought ingredients for a ‘bush damper’ to have for desert.

Once the stew was underway, we jumped into the cars and drove out towards Ubirr. We stopped at the Border Store where we had a drink or an ice cream each. Once at Ubirr, we did the walks around the rock, checked out the Aboriginal art, which was plentiful and fantastic. Leanne and the kids also and took in a Ranger’s talk. After this, the Haywards decided they would return to camp. As we had planned to see the sun set over Ubirr, we climbed back up the rock and had dip, biscuits and cashews while we waited. At about 5.30pm the same Ranger came up onto the rock and gave a talk on the types of surrounding country and the need to respect and preserve it for future generations. After this we sat back, with about 200 other people, and took in the magnificent colour changes as the sun dropped. It was fantastic and we were greatful we had returned to the top for it. Immediately the sun had set, we headed for the car pack in an attempt to get out before the crowds. Whilst we weren’t the first down, we were near the front and got out of the park without problem. On return to our campsite at Merl, the Haywards had the bush stew almost cooked and the damper ready to go into the fire. While the adults had a few cold refreshments, the kids were collecting fire wood and playing games. After all spraying or rubbing on our various insect repellants, we sat down to a fantastic dinner and damper followed by toasted marsh mellows on the embers. After dinner we kept the fire going as the smoke also helps in relieving the mozzy issue. As we took the kids up to the toilet block in the dark , before putting them into to bed, we were accosted by a grumpy camper who had issues with us crossing “his campsite which had had paid for”. After politely suggesting he “get a life”, we walked around the long way to the toilet block to avoid further confrontation in such a peaceful setting. It was a late night, but a very enjoyable one for all.

Day 30 Merl to Darwin 29/07/06

As we were parting company with the Hayward family today, we decided to do a last few things together. We departed Merl at approx. 9.15am and drove back into Jabiru where Wayne refueled. From here we drove to the Adelaide River and went on the ‘Spectacular Jumping Croc’s Cruise’. While waiting for the 1pm cruise we had lunch. As there was only a relatively small group of people, we were taken on their smaller boat, which provided a very up close view of the crocs and other animals we came across. We all thoroughly enjoyed this, amazed at the jumping abilities of these big beasts.

Once back on terrafirma, we drove to Humpty Doo, where we stopped at the renowned Humpty Doo Hotel for parting drinks. After saying goodbyes (we may catch up along the West Coast), the Glenister’s drove toward Darwin, with the Hayward’s heading toward Litchfield National Park. We arrived at the Howard’s Springs Big 4 Caravan Park at around 3.30pm, booked in and set up. As we needed supplies, we then drove into Palmerston and shopped at their Plaza. On return to the park, the boys had a swim in the pool before dinner. After dinner it was showers all round and then off to bed.


Thanks for the phonecalls & emails. I apoligise for the delay in publishing the latest 2 blogs but we haven'y had internet access until today.

Still having a great time, talk to you all again soon, the Glenisters.

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Photos

Katherine
Katherine Camp Site

Edith Falls
Edith Falls

Edith Falls
Swimming at Edith Falls

Edith Falls
Upper Edith Falls

Kakadu
Cooinda Pools

Kakadu 2
Yellow River Cruise

Kakadu 3
Pluto

Kakadu 4
White Bellied Sea Eagle

Kakadu 5
Daniel driving the boat

Kakadu 6
William driving the boat

Cooinda
Our campsite at Cooinda

Anbangbang
Picnic Lunch at Anbangbang Billabong

Anbangbang
Anbangbang Billabong