Awesome Australia

Oceania » Australia
May 3rd 2010

Published: August 2nd 2010

Edit Blog Post

Wayner01

Jumping Croc

Northern Territory, Oz

Australia

Darwin

Landing in Darwin in the middle of the night our first view off the city, as we’re dropped off at out hostel, is one of drunken youths pouring out from the various pubs and clubs that lined the street! Nice. We’re shown into the hostel and to our dorms which remind me a lot of the scenery from Prisoner: Cell Block H! Drab, painted-brick walls, metal framed beds and lockers lining one wall. The boys are back together again, somewhat briefly. The following morning was somewhat quieter, a gorgeous sunny day and one in which we were ready to explore. ‘The Truman show’ as our Italian friend observed. And you know what, he was right. This place was clean and square, bright, blue skies, manicured lawns…..yep, it was just like the Truman Show. Still, that didn’t stop us exploring (and lets face it, Darwin is not a big place!). With exploration in mind Liam & I hired a car for a few days and it doesn’t take long to get to know this rather small city. So we head out a little further and the 3 of us go Go-Karting for an afternoon of exhilaration. Later Liam

Jumping Croc

Northern Territory, Oz

& I take the girls for a trip into Kakadu National Park and look for somewhere to swim. Seeing all the warning signs about crocs leads us to decide that maybe a swim isn’t such a good idea.

At 8am we’re met by our Aussie guide Rick, who was your proper fair dinkum crocodile dundee. Rick took us through the wetlands, to a bird watching area where we viewed many different birds, including the Big Galah to our amusement (in my head all I could hear was Alf Stewart calling someone a great galah!) As we’re slowly driving through the flooded roads I suddenly spot a baby croc…….just laying in wait for dinner, I suppose.

We then head to the Adelaide River and take a boat trip up the river to see the jumping crocodiles. Now these things are impressive and to see them in their natural habitat gives you a new respect for these fine specimens. Naturally, the cruise is the entertain and they bait the crocs, encouraging them to jump for the food. And jump they do. At that point I decide to move my camera hand back inside the boat…..don’t think I can afford to

Another hidden waterfall

Northern Territory, Oz

lose any more fingers!! In addition to this the kites searching for a scrap of food zoom in towards us, grabbing at what left over meat is offered, most catching them mid-flight. We drove to onto Kakadu National Park to view some Aboriginal artwork from over 2000 years ago, depicting stories that have been handed down through the Abo families for decades. We then climb the rocks to the top for these stunning panoramic views across the land. You really get a sense of the movie Crocodile Dundee from here. Its pretty amazing and we were blessed with beautiful clear skies and could see for miles.

The next morning we head off and stop for a small night tiger snake found laying still in the middle of the road. Being the outback ranger that Rick is, he cannot just leave it there to get run over, so picks it up, introduces it to the rest of us before letting him loose back in the bush. I cant help but feel that we just put him back where he’d left….so now has to cross that blooming road again!! Back on the road we stop by the huge termite mounds and

Metaranka Thermal Springs

Northern Territory, Oz

we learn a little about them, how they’re made, how old they are and anything we ever wished to know about termite mounds but were afraid to ask! At 5-6m in height they’re impressive structures, for sure.

Back on the road and the next stop is the Moline Falls for a joyous swim under the falls. Heaven is such heat. Eventually we come to our next stop in Katherine where we set up camp, light a campfire and have an evening viewing the stars. Man, those stars out here are so bright, and the view of the Milky Way is something I don’t think I’ve ever seen so vividly before. Amazing. Next stop was Katherine Gorge where we had to hike through the rocky hills ‘til we were greeted with these stunning views, Katherine River running through. On the way back down we stop at a rockhole so we can swim under another hidden waterfall. Under this weather, these swims are great. Onwards to Esley National Park we visited the Metaranka Thermal Springs.

Soon we arrive at what I can only describe as something out of the Mad Max movies, Daly Waters. As this road is much travelled,

The Devils Marbles

Northern Territory, Oz

Daly Waters gets its fair share of visitors and the local (read only) pub has shorts, knickers and pictures galore of the intrepid folk, and so we stop for a well earned beer and dinner, then set up camp. Here we had small 2-man tents, which we set up without the outer cover (unlikely to rain here) so we can sleep under the stars…..and boy, what a view. Again, the sky at night is so bright, the Milky Way so clear that its not long before you’re seeing shooting stars! I counted 4 in about 30mins. Amazing. Anyway, we set up our tent in a far corner and head back to the bar for dinner. Someone then whispered in my ear to go and check our tent, which I duly did, only to find that the other 3 lads had surrounded our tent, ignoring our request for privacy. ‘The gits!’ I thought. Right, time to get our own back…….and so we started by removing said tents……..Rays ended up hanging from a tree and Liams ended up perched high up on the trailer!! Much hilarity ensued when the guys came back in the dark and couldn’t find their tents. Seriously…..you had

The Devils Marbles

Northern Territory, Oz

to be there. During the night they tried to sneak up and padlock us in our tent…

Next stop was Alice Springs but as this was a long drive there were several stops along the way to take in some other well known sights, such as Tennant Creek and the Devils Marbles, gigantic, rounded granite boulders, some spectacularly poised, and iss a remarkable landscape. Great photo opportunity so we stop for pics and a quick lesson in the devils balls, how they were created and what they represent. Apparently the Aborigines believe the site to be eggs of the mythical Rainbow Serpent, but we were also told that this is incorrect, but the Abbo’s won’t tell the uninitiated their stories. We eventually get to Alice Springs and quickly head into town to Bojangles, a pretty famous bar in the town, where we had dinner and drinks and a little time to explore.

Next up was Kings Canyon for yet more hiking around this place. In the heat of the Australian outback this was quite hard going, quite physical, but worth it. You could see for miles and miles, the drops were breathtaking. Many many photos were taken at

Neanderthal Man?

Kata Tjutu National Park, Northern Territory, Oz

this point. Enroute to the next campsite we collected yet more firewood for our campfire, complete with marshmallows. Ah this is the life. That is until we found ourselves our own little pet, yep….this was one of the deadliest spiders in the world, the Redback Spider residing under one of the mattresses and looking after her yet to be born children. Boy she was a beauty…..

We continue onwards to one of the jewels in the crown of Australia and its not long until we see it, or at least that’s what we all think. But, alas, it was not…..it was instead another huge inselberg known as Mount Connor. Its an impressive rock that’s about 50 miles away from the other big rock that we’re currently heading for. But Mount Connor is impressive in it’s own right. I’m surprised at the lack of recognition this rock gets though. And so, we continue on…..

And then we get there……the most famous landmark in Australia, Uluru or otherwise known as Ayres Rock. We get up early and drive in the dark so we can watch the sunrise at Uluru which gives us a chance to take in some great memories,

Mrs Redback Spider!

Northern Territory, Oz

some pictures. And naturally, we weren’t the only ones with the same idea. This place was packed but that didn’t dilute the experience. I just wished I’d had a better lens on my camera. Still, I’m not complaining…..this place is impressive. And so we go to the rock and take a long…..long walk around the base. It is possible to climb the rock but you are now encouraged not to do so out of respect for the Aboriginals culture and beliefs. But today it was closed anyway, as it was far too windy and dangerous to do so.

Next stop was Kata Tjutu National Park….yet more rock formations where I think I saw neanderthal man!! 😉 haha. See the pictures and make up your own mind! After a couple of hours here we went back to see the sun set at Uluru and again, crowds of people there, but we managed to find ourselves a spot to take some pictures. We settle down, beers and cameras in had and watch as the sun slowly disappears over the horizon…..and over in the distance a campervan pulls up on the main road to take photo’s….right in front of us all and

Koala

in unison we all cry out….’get out of the way!’ Shocked the couple quickly take their photos and move on. Haha….it was quite a funny moment. Again, I guess its one of those locational jokes….you just had to be there.

Our next stop on the Stewart Highway was Coober Pedy, and opal mining town where approx 70% of the local population live underground. As you drive towards the town you can see the molehill-like mounds across the horizon where they’ve been mining for opal. Our hostel for the night is also underground, and I love these types of places. Full of character, warm, cozy. Love it. We have a little tour and watch a video about how the place came to be the town we see today. Stories of fortune, stories of despair, Coober Pedy had it all. Mind you, its in the middle of nowhere!! As much as I’d love to live in an underground house, I don’t think it’ll be in Coober Pedy.

A short stay in Adelaide came next and as we arrived in the evening we didn’t get to see much and moved on to Narrandera were we saw our first wild ‘roo’s ‘til

Ayres Rock

we reach our destination at Lake Talbot. A few of us went searching for Koala but found just the local, friendly possum. And watched as the sun set over the lake offering us some truly fantastic images and colours. Again, my lowly camera just doesn’t capture the vivid colours, but it at least gives you some idea. And on our final day with the tour we went on a little Koala hunt where, finally, we see a cute Koala bear sleeping in the tree. He climbed higher as if to tell us to bugger off as he was trying to sleep. We continue on and drive to Canberra for lunch and a walk around the parliament building (quite an impressive structure) then on towards Sydney where we said our farewells.

Oz Part 2
After going around NZ I flew back to Sydney for a short while, staying over in Manly, catching a few waves and checking out the sights of Bondi Beach, Coogee, Watson Bay. Met up with friends in Sydney and just took in the atmosphere whilst starting to do some prep work for my upcoming interview in Hong Kong. A bit random and completely unexpected but hey,