From Kununurra to Daly River

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Day 113 Monday 24 July 2006
Kununurra to Timber Creek
Duane was very sad to leave today as he has meet up with a great mate named Flynn from Catanning WA. He was the same age and he is staying in Kununurra for five weeks whilst his Dad is working. We left about 9am and drove about 220 km’s. We had to drove over the border to NT meaning we had to advance our watches 1 ½ hours which felt really unusual. We stayed at Horse Creek Campground at Gregory National Park which is a spot that only costs you $7.70 for the whole family. No showers though but very clean toilets considering they were bush toilets. At 7.30pm the ranger has a slideshow of the park which was good to see as we were not going to have enough time to see because we have to be in Darwin by the end of the month. You brought your chair and torch along and sat in the middle of the bush to watch it. We weren’t very hungry at tea time because we were still in WA time. It felt like jet lag. The only good thing was that it didn’t get dark at 5.30pm like WA. I can’t believe places from at least Broome to Kununurra are not on NT time so they can utilize their time of day more. They have such beautiful weather and it would be nice to sit out after tea without it being pitch black.

Day 114 Tuesday 25 July 2006
Timber Creek to Katherine
Today we left at 11am because Graeme wanted to go fishing from the boat ramp to see if he could catch that elusive barramundi. Still no luck (they say that the water is too cold in this area and it is better in the wet season. We drove to Victoria River Roadhouse where we stopped for lunch. There was scenic helicopter flights that flew over the Victoria River (Gregory National Park) for 12 minutes for $60.00. Graeme shouted me and the kids. We could only fit 3 passengers plus the pilot. It was the first time in a helicopter for all of us. It was fantastic. Steve the pilot took us along the Victoria River which is a very inviting river but too many crocodiles to swim with. We saw landslides, crocodiles on the banks of the river and aboriginal paintings on the rock faces. We then flew to 1500 feet where you could see all the park. The helicopter was open sided. It felt weird when he turned the corner because you thought you were going to fall out. I would recommend it to anyone. Poor Graeme had to stay behind and considering the cost we couldn’t refuse. Most flights up here are at least $250 but I think they are trying to bring the tourists in a bit more to this unknown National Park. Tonight we are staying in a powered ensuite site which is the very first time for us. It is so nice to have your own shower and toilet. We will move on again tomorrow for Douglas Daly. Katherine is a large town - approximately 11000 people and has many facilities. We were in shock when we saw traffic lights which we have not seen since Geraldton WA.

Day 115 Wednesday 26 July 2006
Katherine to Douglas Daly
We left Katherine late morning for head for Douglas Daly to catch that elusive barramundi. They say the Douglas Daly River region is the PLACE to catch the barramundi. It is confusing as there are so many Daly’s in the NT. We arrived at lunchtime and checked into the Big 4 caravan park. We could have camped at the campground near the Douglas Daly hot springs but the kids of course wanted a pool. This day we visited the Arches, the Waterhole, the twin pools, the rapids and the thermal pools. These were spots that you visited along the Douglas River. The thermal springs were suppose to be hot but they were only just warm. The caravan park was small but had a little outback bar that we had a few drinks of the evening and stayed for tea. We saw photos of the wet season when the caravan park went under the water. The water was up to the top of the bar. This happened in April this year so it is amazing how they go through it ever year and get the caravan park up and running again.

Day 116 Thursday 27 July 2006
Douglas Daly to Daly River
We visited the main hot springs this morning before leaving to go to Daly River. We have only a few days before Nana and Pop fly into Darwin to visit. The hot springs can get up to 60 degrees and boy are they hot. There is one spot where the springs meet the cold river and this is where you sit because the hot and cold mix together and it is just like a warm bath. It was beautiful, the kids had a ball. We then drove onto Daly River where we were told this was the best place to catch a barrumundi - they have all the main fishing competitions here. Daly River is basically just a pub, the river and a few caravan parks and lots of aborigines. A lot of tourists come here to fish. There are about 4 caravan parks here and to get to two of them you have to cross over the river via a river crossing with the caravan on. Luckily the river wasn’t flowing too fast so it was quite easy. We drove to the first so called caravan park - Perry on the Daly (well it was an outback place with large palm trees, very spacious and no one here. The toilets were less than desirable (rat poo everywhere). We then drove to the Mango farm which was 7 km’s over the crossing on a dirt road. Mango trees everywhere and the smell is wonderful. We booked in for two nights (although a little on the expensive side). It is beautiful and quiet. The kids have a nice pool to swim in which is freezing. Graeme has his tinny moored on the pontoon so everybody is happy. The Daly River is home to many saltwater and freshwater crocodiles so I or the kids are not going in the tinny. Graeme is trying to convince me so he has taken the video camera out today to show me and the kids some of the crocodiles. He is trying to catch cherubin (which are like our yabbys) for bait. So far he has not had much luck with the cherubin or the barramundi. The sun is very hot here and we are in shorts and t-shirts all the time. We all reckon it is hotter in the NT than the Kimberleys although it cools down in the night nice enough to sleep.

Day 117 Friday 28 July 2006
Daly River
Wow we have slept in for the first time in ages - just after 7.30am. NT time is great. It stays light until at least 6.30 - 7.00pm and not sure what time the sun comes up as we haven’t woken up early enough. The kids are sleeping in too. Graeme was very keen and went out fishing this morning on his own. He always gives me a check in time just in case. There are so many salties out here - no way are we going in a 10ft tinny. He doesn’t seem fazed so in the afternoon he went out again and took some video for us. That definitely made up my mind. Duane wants to go but I am too frightened for him to go out. There was at least 5 he could see and how many more under the water. The neighbours across the road said they saw one at least as big as their boat and that is 5 metres. No thanks - I want to live for a little longer. Graeme said he got a snag and ended up about 4 foot from this huge saltie. He was trying to video and cut his line at the same time. Scary!!! He then came back to the pontoon and someone had tied up a hire boat in the wrong spot so he was trying to move it and put his tinny in his place when he ended up in the water. Needless to say he was sh….g himself. I have spent my time around the campsite watching the kids swim in the pool and keeping up to date with the blog. Much safer on ground.

Day 118 Saturday 29 July 2006
Daly River
Still the same today. Graeme out fishing (he has caught a silver cobbler but not the elusive barramundi) and we are just hanging around. Kiera has some girls to play with. We tried to visit the local art galleries but because it is a weekend no show. Probably have more to report when Graeme gets home at 5pm (check in time).

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Photos

The Helicopter flight
This was a great experience over the Victoria River.

Livistonia Palm
These are magnificent palms. So beautiful.

Victoria River Roadhouse
This sign cracked me up. Needless to say this roadhouse was well organised!!!

Douglas Daly
Duane having a great time in the thermal springs. Nice and warm the water was.

The brahma bull
At least this one was only a pet. You do see them on the side of the roads though grazing.

Daly river
This river is famous for the barramundi and saltwater crocodiles.