Katherine Gorge ad Mataranka

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As mentioned in the previous post, Katherine Gorge was spectacular and again the photos just don't capture the perspective. I would love to have flown over the Gorge in order to see it all but maybe that is for another trip. We stopped at Mataranka for a couple of hours and had a swim in the Thermal Pool which was a very warm 34deg and crystal clear, great for relaxing the body. We checked out the Replica of Elsey Station (as featured in the movie "We of the Never Never") and then continued south to Three Ways where we turned East for the long trip across the Barkly to Mount Isa. We didn't do the touristy thing at Mount Isa (looked just like another mining town, similar to Broken Hill), only stopping to get a new air filter for the Toyota as, by now, ours was full of red dust. Continuing on to Cloncurry we decided to check out the availability of accommodation in Karumba with the possibility of a couple of weeks fishing there (it was only about 400kms up to the gulf and we thought we may not be up in this part of the country again). As it turned out a lot of the long termers were pulling out of Karumba and we managed to get a spot in the town caravan park. So we are here for a couple of weeks I think. Of course that will depend on the fishing but we are off to a good start with a couple of Blue nosed salmon in the boat yesterday (they are great sportfish and also excellent eating).

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Photos

Edith Falls
The plunge pool was far more spectacular than the falls. Most of the falls were hidden behind the rock wall

Edith Falls 2
All these falls in the north have to be monitored for crocs because during the wet the crocs have easy access up the rivers and creeks

Vegetation in the Gorge
These are just like a hanging garden on the rock wall

The Rock Wall
As seen in the movie Jedda

Canoes in the Gorge
Lots of people opted to see the gorge by canoe. (much more relaxing on a boat)