Advertisement
Published: August 3rd 2006
Edit Blog Post
16/7/06
Had another lie in and lazy morning. Cleaned out the cruiser, washing everything. Changed and went to find Mindl beach for the sunset market, via Nightcliffe area and the car wash which was desperately needed. Lots of market stalls and several street entertainers, had sweet and sour chicken and a fresh fruit shake. Got back to car to find Lisa had texted a bit stressed and overtired arriving home after 28 hours of not sleeping properly. Tried to phone using phone card when we got back with no joy.
17/7/06
Up before 8.00am to pack and shoot off around 9.00am into Litchfield National Park. Saw huge Magnetic termite mounds. Listening to a tour guide. There was also cathedral mounds. Buley Rockhole next, loads of people swimming plus then Florence Falls a huge waterfall and more people swimming. Onto Aida Creek Jump up, Table Top Swamp, the Lost City and Tolmer Falls. Stopped at Wangi Falls campsite for the night.
18/7/06
Didn’t sleep too well, very windy, so up around 7.30am and left by 8.30am. Quick look into Wangi Falls, people swimming already, a man was sat up on a high ledge the other side of the pool looking down with
not a stitch on! Onto Jastoba Falls a long walk to falls but worth it. Got onto a 4wd track to see what Reynolds River looked like. Were told by some that the track was closed and open by others, so decided to look. Stopped with another couple, Ken and Sue, traveling from Sydney. They had been told the same. At Reynolds River, crossing looked a bit tricky to say the least! Bim and Ken surveyed the area. Bim found a snake skin and shortly after saw the snake and nearly jumped out of his skin! Snake was dark brown. Ken decided to risk it and put on his skirt! (Cover to protect the engine from water overload he hadn't used it before). Turned out it wasn’t needed although it was very sandy waterbed. They went through easier than previous river we had crossed despite having to drive upstream for about 40 metres. So we went through as well no problem. Just as we were about to leave a Suzuki Jimny approached from the opposite direction so we waited to see him fly through causing quite a wave. Progressed through a few more river crossings towards Daly River and stopped
at Surprise Creek. 20 minutes walk to amazing falls with two pools in between and a huge pool at the bottom. Quite rocky getting to the last bit. Moved on leaving Ken and Sue with our email address as she had captured us on “film” going though the river. Finally came out of 4WD track after over 40kms to take the Daly River Road back to Stuart Highway. Stopped on the outskirts of Darwin to stock up on supplies to find Engel had stopped working. Pulled into garage but not sure of their advice as they had finished work and started drinking! Stopped the night at Corroboree Park. Arrived there at 6.40pm. Had a drink and couple of Anzac biscuits and put the Engel on mains supply. In bed by 8.00pm.
19/7/06
Very cold night quite noisy and some early leavers. Got up just before 8.00am. Into Kakadu - Rock Hole, Shady Camp and Swim Creek all closed!! Stopped at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge. Prior to this we went on a 4WD track all morning to Hardy’s Creek. Didn’t go over as we were alone and not too sure of crossing. Saw one other vehicle earlier that stopped at a
crossing we had just skimmed over. Saw crocs, roos and loads of birds but not a tourist in sight.
20/7/06
Up at 6.45am left camp at 8.05. Not quite so cold and quieter. Went to mistake Billabong saw a huge toad and ducks. Took photo of toad, hope it wasn’t a Cane Toad! Found other half of Hardy’s Track and went to Hardy’s Creek Crossing. As we arrived we saw a Ranger bombing through the long grass on a Quad Bike. Told us he had just seen a 6 metre croc further up the river and that there was a big one in the water near the crossing. His presence gave us the confidence to cross the river, knowing that he would have told us not to, had it been too bad. Parked up for a coffee and Anzac biscuit. Ranger scooped up a load of water and sped off - no hat or helmet. Another vehicle came across the river as we waited for the kettle to boil. Sat in the sun for 40 minutes then crossed back over the river the way we had come. Went 30kms off-road to “2 Mile” and “4 Mile” Holes on way back
out, saw 2WD Camper Van stopped at a water crossing, having cut-out. Waited for us to go through a different part than he had to suss out the depth, then proceed to follow through while we waited. Stopped at Aurora for the night. Bim recognized it from when He, Paul and Jim had stayed in 1998 (it was the camp where Jim had flicked his knee out). Had a swim and a shower then ate out - first time for a week. Phoned home, spoke to Lisa - all seemed ok. Bed late tonight, must have been near 9.00 pm.
21/7/06
Slept quite well. Not so cold. Up about 8.00, ran out of cereals so biscuits for breakfast. Went back down the road a few kms to do Bucket and Alligator Billabongs but tracks closed. So back on road to Jabiru stopping at South Alligator River for a quick look. Saw two elderly ladies from campsite of last night. They were reliving a trip that the elder one had done 25 years ago when she came fishing with her now deceased husband. Went on viewing platform at Mamukala Wetlands. Walk was closed due to Cyclone Monica. Carried onto Ubirr. Saw
lots of rock art and viewing points. Bim went higher up to see the 360 degree lookout of the plains. Made way back to main road and stopped at Bowali Visitor Centre. Excellent information unfortunately closing 15 minutes after we arrived. Onto Muirella Park, a bush camp site with toilets and showers - in fact best showers so far!! Had a shower and then realized that all we had eaten today was 2 biscuits for breakfast. We had drank sufficiently though. Some elderly ladies at site were from Adelaide on a walking holiday and they had a permit to go into Arnhem Land the next day. Ate and went to bed around 8.30. Very hot and noisy from animal sounds.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.059s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 8; qc: 24; dbt: 0.032s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb
Cherie
non-member comment
UK
Arrived home to Perth WA today 6/8/06.Just thought I'd let you know that the house has not burnt down and Sara is doing a great job looking after things including the washing,cleaning and vacuuming along with help from Josh. Don't fly Cathay Pathetic oops Pacific- they made me pay excess luggage that has not arrived from UK as yet! Had a great time and many thanks for letting me stay at your house.Lisa is busy with her "Lists" for her France year.Look forward to catching up when you get to Perth.Have a safe trip.