katherine

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Left Mataranka and headed to Katherine a place we visited some time ago with friends on a quick tour of the top end flying in and hiring a car and using C/P and chalets for accommodation.

This time we can spend a bit more time here and explore at a slower pace,booked into a big 4 park and ended up parked next to a couple we had met along the way who had recommended this C/P.

Katherine is a fair size town with most of the amenities and shops you can expect in the outback.It is sad however to see so many aboriginal people just wandering the streets aimlessly.It is a town with a long history which is well documented and visually presented in the local museum.

There are several local attractions in and around Katherine, but probably the most famous is Katherine Gorge.Here you can take a trip on board a small boat with a guide and visit the gorge which has 3 large sections of water accessible only by boat and walking between them, in the wet season this river becomes one long body of water with raging rapids.On the walls of the gorge there is evidence of aboriginal paintings, some of which are very high up and begs the question how did they manage to do that.

On this visit we did not join this tour having done this the last time we where here,instead we walked up the side of the gorge to a viewing platform that gives panoramic views of the gorge and beyond,the walk was moderate but in 34deg felt more like hard.The views however were worth every step.

Katherine also has some hot springs just out side of town, pleasant area with picnic facilities and the water a constant 32deg, in my opinion not as pretty or maintained as Mataranka.

Some 50ks out of Katherine is Edith Falls with a large swimming hole, this place is well frequented by locals and travelers alike and is on the local tours list.We both went in for a swim along with lots of other people.Several young lads entertained us all by climbing up the side of the waterfall to dizzy heights and then jumping in.Because the rain has been so scarce this year the waterfall was no were near at its full glory but still worth the trip.

Most afternoons are spent around the C/P swimming pool from about 3.30.Weary and hot patrons relax and try to cool down.The locals tel us the high humidity and temperatures are not usual this time of year,current temps are 34-38deg. Darwin our next destination is currently a little cooler with some rain,we head there in 2days.

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Photos

Katherine
A view from the lookout platform of the Katherine river

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Same river

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These are the boats which transport you up river

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At the top of the cliffs

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Edith falls

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Dare devil jumpers

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Katherine hot springs

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To jump or not

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A view from the top

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Cooling of at Edith falls

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The way back from the lookout

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In the outback you are never far away from nature this visitor was on our awning

Comments

[Janet]

Happy
You both look great and Happy