27th July, 2014

Bit of a nothing day today, sorry to say. Bit of maintenance on the camper and the Prado. Greasing nipples, checking wheels nuts, water and oil levels, trying to repair the UHF antenna that is trying to lift out of its metal base and doing a bit of shopping.

I did watch the football, seems the pies have forgotten how to win since I left, luckily it doesn't seem like I will miss any finals this year.

Off to the west tomorrow, staying in the Gregory and Keep River National Parks on the way to Lake Argyle, see you then.

Alyssa's Perspective Of The First Month

Hey everyone, 

So, Dad wants me to write a column for his blog about the first month of this trip around WA/NT. Let me get one thing straight here, I am only writing this because I want my point of view to be told, you know? To clear up all the stuff Dads been writing about me online. 

I'm going to try and make this a bit more interesting than the usual blog entry, give everyone a bit of a laugh.

Anyway here it goes......

29th June: I am awoken by my family making a racket, packing things up, yelling about how somethings missing, how 'I put this here!' and now its gone. I decide not to get up until someone  actually come into my room. I hope that maybe they'll let me lie in a little longer, but soon enough I'm up and awake! Just kidding, I wasn't properly awake until 12:30pm. 

As we travel down the highway, Trent talking the whole way, Mum and Dad talking about petrol prices and state borders, I'm listening to a playlist that  includes multiple INXS songs and of course (since we're on a highway) 'Highway to Hell'. 

We stop off at Renmark for the night, the realisation that I'm not going to see all my friends and family for a long time was finally sinking in. 

4th July: The next notable place was 'Daly Waters' here we had a lovely meal and got to have nice proper showers (with hot water and everything!). The Daly Waters Pub had a lot of character and was really nice. 

Skipping forward to.... 8th July: We started Kakadu today, by staying at a place called 'Gunlom Falls'. The campground was nothing special, extremely dusty and dry, not to mention that fact that we had set up camp right next to an ants nest. 

We end up climbing up to some plunge pools at the top of the falls, the view was really nice and it was very hot so the swim once we got up there was great. 

Onward to.... 10th July: The main highlight of this date was that we stayed at a lovely caravan park called Cooinda, where we went swimming in the pool and got to have our first proper shower in a long long time (in reality it was only 6 days, but it felt like forever). 

Next up... 12th July: Here we went to Twin Falls accompanied by Swiss traveler Chris. We learnt a lot about his life in Switzerland and how he worked with turtles in Australia. He was a really nice guy. 

17th July: Today we went to the Mindil Beach Night Market, where I got a temporary tattoo and a pentagram necklace. 

18th July: Trent and Dad went on a fishing charter and I ended up doing a lot of homework. Around 8:15 I went to the camp kitchen to do some school stuff and a guy called Eli started talking to me, he was in year 10 (but only three months older than myself) and was traveling for around two years. 

20th July: I hung out with Eli (He tried to teach me to play ping pong and I failed) today and Trent began to talk to Eli's little sister. We went to Berry Springs for a swim and when we got back to camp we met with Eli and his little sister again and basically talked with them until 9:30. During that time we were chased by this little kid (who was holding a spear and cane toads) that was so tired he looked like he was going to pass out. 

I really enjoyed hanging out with someone my own age and it was really awesome making friends.

Yeah, so those are basically the highlight (for me) of our trip this far. After that we left Darwin and went swimming in a few waterfalls/plunge pools. Now we are staying back at Katherine Gorge.

Until next time,

Alyssa Fritzlaff xx 

Trent's Perspective Of The First Month

I (Trent) personally liked all the water holes we went to. 

My favourite water hole was Sandy Creek waterfall because of the rock ledge I jumped off, it was so much fun.

I also liked the Darwin wave pool and the Darwin water park. 

At the Mindil beach night market, I got a $40 crocodile tooth necklace for free (so lucky). 

We also went on a cruise at Cooinda called Yellow Water Cruise, we saw a crocodile catch and eat a fish "yay!" 

26th July, 2014

This morning we packed up the camper and left it at Douglas Daly Tourist Park so that we could make the drive into Butterfly Gorge, which is in the Douglas Daly Nature Reserve.

We got in to the car park and there were a few other cars there. We started the walk along the paperbark shaded banks of a creek/river and before long reached a rock escarpment that some nomads told us was impassable. We took some photos and turned around, headed for a junction in the track which was supposed to go up along the escarpment and then make its way back down to the plunge pool. As we got to the track junction we were met by another family headed back down, who told us that way was no good and the correct way was the way we had just come back from. We did a u turn and got back to the rock escarpment and after a few false starts found a way over. Then we had another escarpment to clamber over before coming out on a sandy beach, bordered by high sandstone cliffs. One group told us they had seen something in the creek that led from this body of water so we opted out of a swim, instead talking to a lovely couple from Darwin. I did climb to the top of a rock column to take some photos of what we couldn't see from ground level.

Does it look like she loves her brother?

You can just make out Clare and the kids on the sand in the shadows.

As we were leaving, people were arriving in their droves and jumping straight in the water. Oh well better to be alive and spewing we didn't get to swim, than being croc lunch.

We headed back to the tourist park, hooked up the camper and made our way to Katherine where we stopped at the Low Level Caravan Park to power and stock up before heading west.

25th July, 2014

This morning we woke still not knowing what we were going to do, where we were going to stay the night, ohh the hassles of being a nomad.

We made the late decision to get on our bikes and head for Daly Waters so we could see Butterfly Gorge. The Litchfield Daly River Road had opened on Thursday and knowing that we could easily make the first 8 or so kilometres with the camper on, we decided to give it athe last 35 k's a go, hell, isn't that what adventure is all about, heading into the unknown.

So with sorrow in our hearts we left our great spot at Wangi Falls at around 10 and hit the road. We got to the fork in the road marking where we hadn't been and an old fella came out of the track, we had a quick chat and asked him about the Reynolds River crossing. He said it was all good with a nice firm sand base. The track said 'No Caravans, Trailers Not Recommended.'

After 6 k of bumpy, dusty, dirt track we arrived at the Reynolds River Crossing, which is reportedly teaming with Saltwater Crocodiles. I jumped out and checked the crossing. You had to drive along the river for somewhere around 50 metres, it didn't look overly deep, the old fella said up to my hubs. We locked in low range and the diff lock and hit the water. It was quickly evident it was more than hub deep with a decent bow wave been created and the Prado chugging along 'DON'T STOP IN HERE, PLEASE,' and then we were through, what a relief.

Another 13 k of dusty dirt track and more termite magnetic terminate mounds than the viewing point on the main road we were at Surprise Creek where we planned to have lunch and a swim. After a short walk through soft sand we got to another fantastic swimming hole, although it could have done with some shade. There were two big plunge pools with cliffs up to 10 metres which you could jump off all around them. We had a great time swimming and jumping and as the local crowd started to build for the weekend we headed back to the car for lunch.

When we came out we had to jump start some other tourists in a Prado who had borrowed their friends car and some jumper leads, what foresight. 

While having lunch another local turned up and we asked about the road south. He installed all sorts of fear into mine and Clare's minds, telling us no way could we get through the next arm of the Reynolds River, it was likely to be 800 mm deep and that he thought that end of the road was still closed.

Off we set, ready to turn around if the crossing looked too dangerous. As we got to the crossing another 4wd arrived, we let him go past us, I jumped out and followed him down to check his path and too my surplus it was little more than a puddle, what a relief. 

The next 6 or so kilometres was pretty uneventful and before long we were airing up when we hit the bitumen. We got to our planned destination at Daly Waters Nature Reserve only to find it had been over run by campers and was full. Second choice the Daly Waters Tourist Park which was also chock o block. The lovely host at reception did manage to squeeze us onto a bit of grass and we are here for the night.

 My UHF aerial which is a white fibreglass type seems to have wobbled loose over the corrugations and is trying to lift itself out of its holder so I have taped it up and my metal cutlery drawer bracket has fatigued and actually cracked, so I have a few running repairs to complete.  

24th July, 2014

This morning we made the decision to get away early and head out to Buley Rockholes in an effort to beat the crowds of yesterday. We where down there by 9:00 am and the crowds were no where to be seen. There was a group of about 4 backpackers down there to share the entire rockholes with. 

The water was surprisingly mild and we had a ball swimming, diving, exploring and jumping into the rock pools before the crowds started to roll in. It's a very short walk in for the car park and easily achieved by everyone.

The Rockholes follow the length of the creek and you can choose which hole you want to swim in and explore, it is great fun and a beautiful spot to have a swim.

After the Rockholes we drove into the Lost City and did a short walk through the rock pillars. These rock pillars are out in the middle of nowhere and give the appearance of a long forgotten civilisation.

When we left the Lost City we drove to Tolmer Falls and did the short walk to the lookout. The walk is very simple and designed for people in wheel chairs to be able to get down to. You are not able to get down to the bottom for a number of reasons which I won't go in to now.

Back to camp for lunch and more swimming at Wangi Falls. This is a sensational spot to camp, with the falls a short 400 metre walk from our tent site. We have spent hours relaxing in and exploring the plunge pool. The showers are only just warm which is a bit of mystery considering the solar on the roof of the shower block but the campgrounds are not too big, the sites relatively private and there is plenty of wildlife around.

We were due to leave tomorrow but the rest of the Reynolds Track has been opened today and now we have the opportunity to explore Surprise Creek Falls, so we are still debating what to do. Ohh the decisions a travelling family must make.

23rd July, 2014

Today we slept in a bit and then had a bacon and egg breakfast. The gas ran out on the Weber BBQ and we were out of bread, so we made the decision to drive into Batchelor and get a few things. Batchelor is a lovely little town, so green and the people were so friendly.

After leaving Batchelor we drove back to the Magnetic Termite Mounds and took some photos and read about the termites. The magnetic termite mounds are unlike the larger Cathedral Termite Mounds in that they are built in the direction of north to south, so that they get full sun on one side in the morning and then full sun on the other side in the afternoon. 

We then drove to Florence Falls, had lunch at the kiosk and then walked down the bottom and had a swim. It was very busy with lots of tour groups making the climb down the 135 steps. It's still a great place for a swim with the crystal clear water, fish and the two waterfalls.

I ran into a little friend while I was down there and tried to get some photos of him.

Can you spot him on the log?

We made the trek back up the steps and then drove into Buley Rockholes. As we did another two buses of tourists arrived, the place was jam packed and we decided to return tomorrow morning when there are less people sharing these swimming holes with us. Alyssa will have to get up early in the morning. Trent was devastated and demanded to know why we had wasted our time walking the 100 metres down to them if we weren't going to swim. He had a bit of a hissy fit and took off at a great rate of knots back to the car.

While we were here we checked out the 4wd and 2wd campsites between Florence Falls and Buley Rockholes. The 4wd ones only really had 2 out of 8 sites that were suitable for soft floor camper trailers, the rest were really only big enough for tents. The 2wd section had much larger sites, not all of which were level but were well set out and large enough for even the biggest of soft floor camper trailers.

Back at camp we took the opportunity to have a late afternoon swim at Wangi Falls when there weren't many people around. It was great having the majority of the plunge pool to ourselves. After dinner we headed over to the rangers slide show on the area which was quite informative. 

22nd July, 2014

This morning we awoke to the sound of the water tumbling over the rock face into the Wangi plunge pool. After breakfast we all completed the Wangi Falls Loop walk which takes you up over the top of the falls and back down one side. It's a 1.6 kilometre walk which is up a moderate incline, past the bat colony, across the plateau and then back down another incline, nothing too strenuous but it did offer some great views out to the west.

We returned to the campsite for a quick snack before jumping In the car and heading off to the Cascades. From the car park a 1.7 kilometre walk headed out through open woodland and then followed a creek through sandy footing at first, then across slippery rocks up to the Lower Cascades. The water was crystal clear in the pools beneath the falls and it was a nice temperature, not overly refreshing.

This is the Fern Leaf Grevillea and it's nectar makes the area it is growing in smell like honey, it's a beautiful plant, I would like some in Drouin.

After enjoying the Cascades we came back to the car and returned to camp for lunch. Clare whipped us up some ham, tomatoe, salad onion and cheese toasted sandwiches. I was sitting at the table with Alyssa and had just picked up the first half of my sandwich, I was contemplating where to start when 'smack' it was gone and I saw it flying off towards the car and hitting the ground. A kite had swooped down, unheard by Alyssa or myself and whipped it out of my hands, it was unbelievable, so bloody fast and quiet, it's prey doesn't stand a chance. I wish I had had a video rolling, it would have been a YouTube sensation.

So after we had got over the shock of the sandwich picking kite we jumped back in the car and headed off to Blythe Homestead. It was a homestead established in the 1928 so that the owners could mine tin and run cattle on site. The parents had 14 children and there was a book inside the homestead telling the story of the family. The bottom of the roofline was so short that only Trent could stand at full height and walk underneath it and the homestead was very small. The posts of the cattle yards were still in tact, as was the gate. There was no walk to the homestead, you can park almost at the front door. There is a decent creek crossing of about 500 mm which stops the two wheel drives getting in here.

From Blythe we headed a bit further along the dirt road to Sandy Creek Falls (Tjaynera). A fairily easy 1.7 kilometre walk along the side of a creek, up through a paperbark and cycad forest, which had recently been burnt, leads to a magnificent waterfall and plunge pool. We had a swim here and Trent and I jumped in off one of the cliff faces from a height of about 5 metres. This kid has got an edge, he has no fear of these things. The colour on the rock faces and the deep pool made this one of our favourite swimming holes to date.

After returning to the car park we drove back to camp, nearly clipping a Wallaby on the dirt road (caught on GoPro) and settled in for dinner. A big black feral pig has just paid us a visit, apparently the Rangers are trying to catch it. They can't be trying to hard, it also paid us a visit last night, maybe we should offer Josh and Twitch up to catch it.

Termite mound on the way home.

21st July, 2014

After a full afternoon and night of charge the battery bank was well and truly charged and we were ready to change locations. We packed up trying to remember how our system worked and where everything went, after one week in the same place you start to forget, then we were on the way to Litchfield.

All of the literature states you must be in early or you will not get a campsite, some even suggested missing out at 9:00 am. We travelled west and then came in to Litchfield from the North. About half of that road is sealed and rest is dirt, overall it was in pretty good nick.

Arriving just after 10:00 we drove into the camping area and the first camper trailer/caravan site we came across (number 4) was vacant so we reversed in and started setting up. There was a procession of vans that followed us in and before long people were trying to squeeze two onto a site. I reckon there were four vacant sites when we arrived, so if you are coming here, arrive early.

We managed to squeeze a swim in before lunch, had lunch and then returned in the afternoon for another swim, once the kids had done some homework. This is a beautiful spot, you can here the water gushing over the falls from our campsite and here the bats in the distance. There are heaps of birds flying around, particularly whistling kites scavenging for food.

20th July, 2014

Today was a pack up and get ready to move to Litchfield day and try and get some charge into the batteries day. This morning I went up and saw the kind folk at reception and asked about getting some 240 to recharge my battery bank which is very depleted. They didn't see any sense in us moving sites so offered to run some power leads across to us and didn't even want any money. They have been a great help here responding to my every request, finding me a jigsaw, advice on our fishing charter, power and I can't give them enough credit, I can confidently recommend the Tumbling Waters Caravan Park at Berry Springs for your stay in Darwin.

This morning there was a small market at the front of the van park where patrons/guests get to sell their wares and someone from the Territory Wildlife Park comes in with animal to display.

This morning it was an Estaurine Crocodile and both of the kids had a hold.

Alyssa went first but Trent didn't want to be out done. 

After lunch we headed down to Berry Springs again forgetting that it is a Sunday. The place was packed but we managed to find a parking spot and hit the water for a swim. This place is beautiful and if you are up this way you simply must check it out.

Back to the van park for dinner and a beverage or two before we head into Lithcfield tomorrow, where we will be uncontactable for the next week or so.

19th July, 2014

Today we drove into Darwin and went to East Point which is where the powers that be decided Darwin would be defended from during the war years. It was interesting to read about the large 9.2 inch and 6 inch guns installed here to defend our country and to look at some of the mounting points for the guns. Most of the guns were never actually shot in anger.

This is where one of the 9.2 inch guns was installed.

Then we went around to a park to have some lunch but felt very uncomfortable in the presence of some arguing and alcohol affected indigenous persons, unfortunately not the first time this holiday, so we didn't stay very long.

After that we drove to one of FREE water parks near Palmerston. What a great government initiative these are, free pools and water slides in large expanses of parkland. We all had a ball riding the water slides and swimming in the pools. 

From there we did some shopping before returning to camp to devour yesterday's catch.

We are going to have to stay here at the van park another night as we haven't left enough time to pack everything ready for a quick departure. Another issue is that after 3 weeks on the road the campers batteries desperately need a solid charge. We tried to get a powered site here for that purpose but they didn't have any, hopefully they can fix me up with an extension cord this morning.

18th July, 2014

We spent the morning lounging around the caravan park, playing a bit of table tennis and generally relaxing. Trent was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting to go on the Fishing Charter.

Just after lunch Trent and I took off and hit the water at about 1:30. We headed out with Arafura Fishing Charters and the skipper and decay made it a great day. We had to change spots a fair bit trying to locate the fish. The majority of the catch for the day were Snapper, we caught 3 but were given 5 to bring home. 

The girls spent the day relaxing and swimming.