10th July, 2014

Nothing very exciting today, we packed up camp at Maguk and headed for Cooinda to try and book a sunrise tour on Yellow Water Billabong. They had plenty of room for tomorrow morning and we decided that after 11 days on the road the campers batteries and us needed a little power surge, so we booked in at the van park. 

Charged every appliance we have up including the two camper batteries and went for a swim in one of the beautiful man made pools. In the arvo we walked down to the Cultural Cebtre and got an insight into Aboriginal life, it was very interesting.

My fridge slide is working for the time being but for how long I don't know. It looks like I will be getting a new one of some description in Darwin so we don't have that worry again. 

We are sure. To have some better photos for you in the morning.

  

9th July, 2014

This morning we got up and went on a walk to Murill Billabong and the South Alligator River. To be honest there wasn't a lot to see unless you were willing to risk life and limb by getting close to the water. Here is a pic of Alyssa and Clare walking back in the increasing heat.

When we got back to camp we packed up and were ready to hitch up the camper when the first glitch of the trip arose. The fridge slide wouldn't close, I tried magic spray but it didn't work  and in the end had to keep slamming it shut to get the thing shut. I did find two ball bearings that had come out of the right side. I did have an issue when I was cleaning it before we came away but didn't want top spend the cash upgrading to the monster slides; guess that didn't work.

Anyway we got going again and drove out back to the bitumen where I aired up and started heading for Cooinda to get our parks pass and book in for the sunrise boat tour. Clare was reading one of our many guide books and mentioned Maguk, which sounded like it had a great swimming area, so we turned right and headed down the 11 k dirt road with plenty of corrugations.

We got to the campground and had lunch before deciding to stay the night, we set up in the heat of the day and everyone ws stuffed. The. I decided to take apart the fridge slide and see if au could repair it. Not a lot of luck but at least we can open and close it for the time being.

We drive down to the day visitor car park, about 1.5 km in and then walked in to the rock escarpment above the main swimming hole. We were not dissappointed it was a magic spot. There was a very deep stream/river to swim through and rock ledges to jump from. There was a very dark circular pool to jump in with about a 2 metre radius of rock face, once in the water you had to open your eyes and about 1.5 meters down there was a hole in the rock to swim through out into the open pool. It was a bit daunting but Clare and I both tried it. We swam for an hour or so and felt very clean before starting the trek back to the car. All these beautiful rock pools make up for the lack of showers where we are staying.

Lower pool which we didn't swim in. 

Rock pools that we did  swim in, the pressure test on the right.

On the way out we found some rock art.

Tonight we have been surrounded by frogs, insects and bugs.

This place is unbelievable if you have the time to explore it properly, we are only going to touch the surface.

8th July, 2014

We awoke to yet another lovely day in Katherine and slowly packed up in the company of 18 month old Beno and his German mother. Called in at the visitor centre to collect a sticker (poor choice provided) and then made our way to Kakadu, stopping at Mary River Roadhouse to try and purchase our Kakadu Parks Pass. For some reason they have stopped selling them, so we utilised the toilets as non paying customers at .50 cents a pee.

About 60 k's from the turn off at Pine Gap we turned off onto a red dirt road and aired down ready for the corrugations. About 34 k's later we arrived at Gunlom Falls Campground. We were all a little hot and flustered when we arrived at camp and after a few minor incidents settled down to lunch. 

After lunch we went for a walk and inspected the 'Plunge Pool' or 'Echo Pool' if you have watched Crocodile Dundee. It's where Hoges and Linda cool off in a magnificient plunge pool. 

We decided to make the trek up to Gunlom Lookout and Falls at about 4:00 pm. It took just over 20 minutes to clamber up there, including photos at the lookout. We then swam in and inspected a number of the pools and the upper waterfalls. Trent couldn't get enough and didn't want to come back down to camp.

We were last to leave and the view was sensational. Pork chops, Cous Cous and Chips for dinner with a nice Sauvignon Blanc.

7th July, 2014

Another beautiful Katherine morning, we relaxed a bit, saved all our photos and videos to a hard drive and did some washing before embarking on another sojourn up the rock escarpments of this beautiful gorge. This mornings walk was only 1 and a bit hours but provided some magnificent views of the gorge and the river. 

After our walk we had lunch and then drove into Katherine. It's school holidays up here and the school of the air was closed so we headed over to the Katherine Museum instead. It was very interesting to read and learn about the history of this place.

Here is Trent in front of one of Dr. Fentons planes. He flew these around to treat the sick and injured and was an inspiration to the people but a thorn in the side to the government and officialdom. Once back at camp we put on a roast lamb and veggies before heading down to watch the bats take flight with Clare and Alyssa.

Tomorrow we head for Kakadu and so may not be able to update the blog for few days. See you later.

6th July, 2014

Another beautiful morning, this time out at Nitilmuk National Park. There is heaps of wildlife up here hanging around the campsite Eagles, Kites, Lorikeets, Cuckoo's, Bee Eaters, Kookaburras, Bats and Agile Wallabies who like to pay a visit or two.

After enjoying bacon and eggs for breakfast and attending to a few housekeeping items we headed off to do one of the short walks that leave from the visitor centre. We did the Windolf walk which is a 8.4 k - 3.5 hr return walk out to Pat's Lookout and the Southern Rockhole. The walk starts pretty easily and is followed by a moderate climb up to the top of the cliffs and then it basically levels out until you get to the lookout. 

This is the view of the 1st gorge from the lookout.

Once we had taken a few snaps and spoken to the ranger we continued on down to Southern Rockhole which involves a bit of rock hopping and a couple of steps but overall nothing to difficult.

The water is a stagnant at the moment but there was still fish swimming around in it and the photos oft in the wet make it look pretty special. If you are up here aft a good wet season or early aft the wet you can swim here.

A short walk through a butterfly filled gorge led us out to a sandy beach on the gorge. Trent was a bit concerned about the freshwater crocs that inhabit the area but we all stripped off and had a swim.

Loving this panorama function on the iPhone but trying to take photos with the Nikon, GoPro and iPhone is pretty tough. Ah the things that concern us on holidays.

It took a bit of convincing to get Alyssa in as well, she was worried about walking back all wet, at least that's what she told us - image is everything.

We then headed back to the visitor centre and were back basically spot on the 3.5 hrs which wasn't bad after our swim. Then we had lunch and went for a swim in the resort style pool that this National Park offers before getting a ice cream and checking out the bats hanging in the trees.

Just before dinner Trent and I went down to the swimming jetty to watch the bats take flight. It was amazing and something not to be missed if you are here. The bats all leave their trees and form a whirlpool of sorts above the water, swooping down to take a drink, while trying to avoid being snapped up by the waiting freshwater crocs and then they all fly away - just awesome to watch, although I did get shat on once.

5th July, 2014

Well today brings to an end our first week on the road, that's right 7 days down already.

We pulled out of the overflow at Daly Waters and checked out the Old International Airport, Stuart Tree and the Chinese Cemetery. 

Trent was in his element checking out an old aircraft wreck. Later we heard a bit of a ruckus outside and found this large snake, not sure if it's an olive python or a brown snake?

Then we headed for the Mataranka Thermal Springs where we all enjoyed a dip in the beautiful warm water. 

From there we went back out onto the highway and into Berry Springs for lunch. They are a lot less commercialised and in our opinion better then Mataranka.

Tonight we are at Katherine, Nitilmuk National Park Caravan Park actually, it's 8:00 pm and Trent is still swimming in the resort pool and it's still 23 degrees. Hard to take I know.

4th July, 2014

This morning, yet another beautiful sunrise at the packed Devils Marbles campground. Pictures don't do the place justice, that soft early morning light makes the place glow. Trent and I explored the marbles and took a heap more photos before a pancake breakfast. Packed up the camper and headed off towards the Daly Waters Pub for a Beef and Barra dinner tonight. 

The weather is warmer now after crossing the Tropic of Capricorn, it's a balmy 25 degrees at midday, shorts and t-shirts from here on in. 

We arrived at Daly Waters at about 3:30, it was absolutely packed. We went for an unpowered site and were placed in the overflow directly across the road. After setting up, Trent had a swim, we all had a well deserved shower and then went over for dinner. 

They had a couple of different singers entertain us for the night and the Grey Nomads really lived it up to the old rock and roll tunes. I wonder what sort of music they will be playing if we return in 20 years?