Pine Creek

---

Moved on from Kakadu to Pine Creek a small town that once again as built on the back of the gold rush.There are still mines being mined here for both gold and ore.There is an open air museum showcasing some of the early machinery used for mining in the area well worth a visit. also a railway museum housing a Steam loco built in 1877 in Manchester and shipped over here to work in Perth and several other locations ,it was not decommissioned until 1945.As usual with these small towns the re a few heritage buildings to have a look at.Interesting the lady who served us in the local shop and also caravan park booking is 3rd generation Chinese Australian, her father owns half the town and a local mine.This area is suppose to be a bird watchers paradise with a few rare birds including a black hooded parrot, we didn't see one.We spent a couple of restful days here before moving on to Douglas Daly tourist park,which was backtracking going toward Darwin,but we passed this on the way up and promised we would call back

The area is known as Douglas Daly and has a variety of campsites and natural attractions. The camp site we chose is called Douglas Daly tourist park which has direct access to the Douglas river.We stayed in the main campground with water and power however there are 9 bush camps along a 2 1/2k unsealed road for those wishing to go bush, along this track are various fishing and swimming holes However there were also signs warning of crocs.

We did this track on several occasions but only ventured into the most shallow of water near a rapid,I was not game enough to swim through the Arches which is supposed to be the thing to do.Some good photo opportunities at this spot.

Some 7k back the way we came and 7k on a dirt road will lead you to the hot springs which also has a campground but no power or water.The source of the hot springs can be 60deg so caution is required, this water cools down as it merges with unheated water to form great swimming holes, we had a lovely afternoon there.

As we have said before the Northern Territory is scattered with old airfields from ww11 and here in Douglas Daly is no exception, with the remains of a war time bomber airfield called Fenton airfield open to the public at no cost.

We headed back to Katherine with the idea of some more exploring but Jackie became unwell and our priorities changed after a visit to a local GP and a skype consult with her consultant in Brissy she is on the mend again, so a restful few days in Katherine and we are heading off to Kununurra leaving the N/T and entering Western Australia,before leaving N/T we will spend a night at Timber Creek to break up the journey

---

Photos

Train
Built in Manchester UK 1877 in service until 1945

Pine Creek dam
on the site of a former mine

Douglas waters
Warm not hot

Douglas waters
The Arches

Douglas waters
On the edge of the rapids in shallow water

Douglas waters
Cool waters

Douglas waters
the arches from the other side

Douglas waters
The arches