Adelaide River Region

This is Charley the buffalo that featured in Crocodile Dundee.  He is stuffed and stands proudly in the bar at the Adelaide River Inn.   The Adelaide River region was a vital part of the war effort during World War 2 and this town was used by both the Australian and US armed forces.  There are lots of memorabillia scattered around, some buildings, or just signposting of what was there once.  Scattered all thru the Territory are airfields, still signposted, next to the Highways.   The War Cemetary here is absolutely beautiful and a fitting resting place for those that gave their lives. As you walk along the gravesides, you cant help get emotional.  The men that fought and died for us were just boys in many cases.  18y.o. going off to fight and not returning.    Young married men and young fathers, some just 20.

This lovely snake and the one below it were on the path to Robin Falls.  Just a "short 500M walk" they say.  It was tough going over rocks, and crevices.   This snake popped up with a frog in its mouth.  It hastily swallowed the frog and then decided he might like a go at Rick.  Boy did we all move quick, although I couldnt stop snapping pictures all the same.

This one spread himself across two rocks and of course, the ground between the rocks was the path.  I just saw him as I went to step on him.  Not a biggie but he wasnt all that happy with our attention.

Robin Falls - we were so looking forward to a swim here.  We had lunch by the creek, clear as a bell water, but decided to walk into the falls and swim in the rockpool  .It was a huge walk once again, clambering over rocks and a non  existent pathway.  When we got there, it was a big disappointment.  The falls were beautiful, the pool not so nice.  To get to the upper pool meant a big climb and none of us was capable.   The vow is now to never go where the pathway isnt "wheelchair friendly" or as Rick puts it - has an elevator!!!!!!!!!!!!!!    We keep getting sucked into massive hikes that physically and mentally drain us all.   The fact that it is 30o every day doesnt help either.  Although it does make for great swimming weather.

Mt Bundy Station

We are camped up at Mt. Bundy Station on the Adelaide River approx. 150km from Darwin heading back down the Stuart Highway.   This is a working cattle farm with a sideline in camping.   Booked in for 3 nights, staying 5.!!!!  We have horses, buffaloes, bulls, cows, kangas etc in the paddock outside our window.  Just behind us is a horse yard/stable, where you can take a horse ride in the morning around the station.  Each day  3 of the horses and various farm dogs wander around thru the caravans, there are  guinea fowl and half a dozen pea hens and a couple of peacocks that also just wander thru, especially love us at happy hour.   We have been hand feeding them all, the large tree that you see spreading its branches over our campsite is also the birds nesting spot for the night.  Every night at approx. 6.30 they all fly up into the branches, settle down and stay all night.  Its fun to watch them jostle for position, but the next morning the car and the annexes are covered in poo!!!!.   Perhaps if we didnt give them happy hour nibbles, they may be better behaved.    The river runs thru the property and whilst there is a big croc in the water he is rarely seen.  The boys went down to fish but just got lots of snags.  Could see the fish, just couldnt catch them.  Very relaxing place to stay, lush green grass, lots of water, lots of space to camp up.   In the evenings you can watch the kangas come across the farm to nibble on the green grass.   The sunsets are beautiful too.  This weekend is a long weekend and it is going to get packed here.   We have power and water on this site but will have to move down onto the river banks tomorrow as our camp spot has been booked and we have just decided to stay longer.

The guinea fowl and bubs settling in

This bird is in love with another - the one that looks back at him from our shiny bumper bars.   Will spend the whole day checking himself out.

He isnt on the farm, just saw him in a paddock and took a photo

Baby buffalo on the farm

Litchfield National Park



Lower Cascade Falls and rockpool, this one had a hard walk in over creek crossings and rocks.  There was a swim pool just above this little rockpool as well with another waterfall above it.  The water in this pool was deep.



Wangi Falls just reopened today for swimming after the removal of a croc.



Tolmer Falls, view from a platform only.  The bottom of the gorge is inaccessible due to a protected species of bats.



Florenc Falls with rockpool for swimming below

Buley Waterhole, this is one of the pools at the bottom of each set of small falls.   Very deep water.

One of the termite mounds in the Park.  This one is prob. the most photographed.  "The Cathedral"

Two days touring Litchfield National Park.  The park itself isnt all that attractive, quite scrubby but a lot greener than Kakadu.  You come here simply for the waterfalls and rockpool/swimming holes.   We didnt do 3 of the 8 waterfalls because they meant big walks or 4WD drives and we are OVER both of those.  What we dont see this trip, will be here the next time we come to the N.T.   The water in every creek, waterhole etc. that we came across was crystal clear, and so inviting.  Even the thought of a croc, couldnt put you off getting in and cooling off.  There is a Festival and Market on Sat. in Batchelor so we will do that, there is also a big parachuting festival on and we have seen them in the skies the last two days.   Its another long weekend this weekend - Darwin Cup, last week it was Show Day.

Last post from Darwin

 This is First Class Constable Paulo  Fernandes of the Jabiru Police Station.  He saw us taking photos of him, once across he came up and gave us his card and asked that we email him some pics.  He loved this one and has had it enlarged for his office wall.  We were a little worried when he started to approach us as we were all drinking alcohol in the park, a big NO NO.  Signs banning the consumption of alcohol everywhere.   Simply for the aboriginals that live here. Naturally my vodka was inside a can of lemon, scotch inside a can of coke.  So we did look innocent.

This is a road that leads from Kakadu to Arnhem Land and the aboriginal communities that live there. You cannot visit Arnhem Land without a permit, even though  it is part of Australia.!!   Every day when the tide comes in from the sea to the West Alligator River the road is impassable for a certain amount of time.  The aboriginal people obviously know at what time, the water is at a safe depth to cross.  These boys asked what the time was before attempting the crossing.  Some bigger 4WD towed their smaller 4WD families across. It is an excellent fishing spot for catching big barramundis.  Lots of people here fishing from the road when it isnt flooded and from the rocks.  Croc territory though.

This is our visit to the Aircraft Museum.  I tried to take the photo of the B52 Bomber but it was just way too big.  I hope you can appreciate its size from the set of pictures I had to take.   This massive warehouse has been built to house this gift from the USA.  Footage of the B52s in action are on video tape here and it is incredible.  I was truly impressed and glad I saw it.

A few more crocs just for the record.  Apparently we are going to see lots more as we make our way across to Kunnunra in W.A.  

Thats it for now in Darwin, talking to a local mum here this morning, I said "I bet you"re glad the kids are back at school after 4 weeks off".  She laughed, today is "Pupil Free Day".

Leaving here tomorrow to go to Mt. Bundy Cattle Station for a few days.  It is situated on the Adelaide River.  We will base ourselves there and do Litchfield National Park (a must do), and all around the Adelaide River area.  Then down to Katherine, where we have been, and then head across towards the W.A Border.   Hoping for lots of free camps as we have been spending way to much $$$$$$$$$$.

Just some pics

A flock of pelicans floating past this boat. Hard to see them as they blend into the background.

Happy Hour at the Mindel Beach Markets. Thats our table in the foreground.  People arrive around 4 and set up chairs/tables/blankets etc.  have happy hour, watch the sunset, walk the beach and then feast on the huge array of take-away, mostly Asian that is here.

One of the food stalls busy cooking up dinner

 This little fella came to our campground, the 2nd one we have had visit us.  They are blue kookaburras, totally different laugh to our brown ones.   This little one knew when it was happy hour as he swooped in at 3.30 and just hang around.   When there was no more food, off he went.

This is Sweetheart, stuffed and on display at the Museum.  He was more than 50y.o. weighed in at around 800kgs.  Was trapped and died in the 70's  Video footage of the capture was showing.   This croc was menacing fishing boats, attacking the dinghys etc.   and in the 1970s he was too dangerous to leave alone.  Nowadays I think he would be celebrated and people would flock to the river to try and capture a look if he was still going strong.  Kinda sad in todays world to see him end his life that way.

SkyCity Casino

Me and the Happy Chefs

People on the beach just after the sun has gone down.  This was one of the quieter nights as we have seen it absolutely packed on the previous night we were there.

The waterfront

The wave pool, you get use of rings and boogie boards to use in the pool.  Its huge and very impressive.  The kids big and small were having a ball

Heaps of kiddie type pools for those too little to enter the waves

Part of the beach area next to the wave lagoon

The Convention Centre overlooking the water

Part of the "beach area"

Darwin has a beautiful waterfront precinct I must admit.   Multi storey carpark here, 2 hrs, free 3rd hour $1.  So cheap.   You come out of the carpark and are faced with in the foreground, lush green lawns, a huge Wave Pool Lagoon (10 wave patterns here, its up to 2M deep) an enclosed sandy beach, where you can swim or just sunbake on the sand or lawns.  This is right in the CBD.  The Convention Centre is here.   Very much like a docklands complex with shops and restaurants below and apartments above.   At the rear of this is the Stokes Wharf area, an historic wharf, bombed in World War 2,  (more than a hundred lives lost here both on the wharf and the ships in port) a little downmarket than I expected, but lots of food places here.  It is undergoing renovations so may end up looking better.   Had fish n chips on the wharf and then, luckily we were able to feed some fish that hang around waiting not for bait but for leftovers.  They love their chips.   Offered it some icecream cone but wasnt interested.Fed what I think was a moonfish - beautiful big striped fish with bright yellow fins and tail.  The fishermen further down the wharf (you cant fish in the cafe sections) were complaining that the fish are too well fed and wont come near their lines.!!!

Darwin Show

Its the long weekend, last week of school hols, and a public holiday for Show day on Fri.  We headed to the show, it was very hot.  Took in the showbags $25!!!!, too hot for chocolate bags anyway.   On the main arena was the Grand Parade - bulls, polo ponies, vintage cars, police & fire engines.   They had racing pigs, jousting knights on quad bikes, Ford Vs Holden V8 utes, a polo match, fireworks set to music.   We were there for the Rodeo.  It was a really nice night weather wise, the rodeo a pretty good one, our very first, wellrun, lots of action and some very mean spirited bulls and horses.  Lots of spills, but nothing serious.

This lovely buffalo has a very familiar name.   He isnt marked for our freeza though.   It was a "guess the weight of the buffalos" competition.

We thought we must be in with a chance here.  Sadly we havent heard, so didnt win the prize - a night at a luxury hotel here in Darwin.   I asked the owner why they were called Mozza and Rella  -  Well of course they are buffalos - "Buffalo Mozzarella"!!!!!!!

2 weeks in Darwin

Most of the people here in the caravan park are either like us here for a week or two, but the majority are here for months.  4-6-8 weeks.  Not sure, but I dont feel Darwin is the place to stay for that length of time unless all you want to do is kick back, go nowhere and sit around the pool.  For those in cold old Melb. that prob. sounds like heaven.   We took a quick ferry trip across the bay to Mandurah.   Not much here, just a pub, a swimming beach (box jelly fish) and some WW2 relics scattered around.  It was a nice day, the weather as usual perfect and so off we set.  The pub does a roaring trade here.  The ferry is 10 mins across, to drive takes 1 and 1/2 hrs.   Most of the residents work across in Darwin and also do all their shopping etc. One local lady came from Tyabb (Vic. Peninsula).   30 years ago.  No-one was that keen on living in this part of Darwin, they bought 5 acres overlooking the bay, built a house, all up $50,000.   Now $1.5million worth.  The Govt. are going to build a bridge across in the near future, so you can imagine prices will skyrocket even more.

Lunch at the pub was nice, barra and scotch fillet, overlooking the water, cold beer and a wine.  Nice lazy day for us.  Took our bathers but couldnt get access to the beach which was disappointing.

Darwin from the ferry ride

The ferry is the smaller boat, moored in the man made marina

The Pub

Thursday saw us do the very famous Mindel Beach Markets.  Thurs & Sun night markets on the beach nxt toSkycity Casino.  Huge market, lots of food mostly asian here.  It was a little disappointing for us as we had expected it to be more of an arts/crafts market with lots of home made  stuff, and whilst there was a bit there it was a lot of what we had already seen, same stallholders, at the other markets and nothing worth even contemplating buying (except for the food, which was exceptional).  People take their chairs/tables/blankets/happy hour stuff and sit on the lawns next to the market.  Eat, drink, chat and wait for the famous Darwin Sunset.  As soon as it gets close to sunset, the crowd move onto the beach directly behind.  I estimate there were close to 500 people just sitting and watching.  When the sun set, applause broke out.  Crazy.   So wanted to buy some stuff before we left Darwin, but so far nothing here worth it.    We are staying at Howard Springs approx. 23kms out, so visited the local Nature Park 5kms up the road.  Took a bag of Pilchard Bait (thanks for the tip Andrew).   Its a very sad park at the moment, no swimming, amenities non existent, water full of algae.  You can hand feed big barra here, but whilst there were lots of small fish we only got to see 1 big barra.  He was a monster, but stubborn.   We tempted him first with 1/3 of a piece of fish, NO.  Then 1/2 piece. NO. If it wasnt the whole fish, he wasnt interested.   So hand fed 6 beautiful turtles, occasionally giving the barra his fish.  He was extremely powerful and the snap as he took the fish was enormous.  Quite evil looking as he stared us down.  The pond was once brimming with big barras but a lot of them have been removed to the local wildlife park because of the water conditions here.

Darwin Tour Spots

Last Wednesday we all (6) went out to dinner at Skycity Casino.  We have barely spent anytime with our friends, preferring to get up early and go out and do our own thing.   The Casino was pretty disappointing.   I am assuming its relatively old, it was probably less flash than most Melbourne pubs and the food we ate was appalling.   We wanted to have the $34 buffet, you join up as a member, then get $5 off.   It was Coles Cafeteria at its worst.    We had assumed, from reports, that it would be lots of seafood and quite something else.   We werent impressed.  Not something I would recommend to anyone unless they have no appreciation for decent food.

We also did "Aquascene" .  On high tide, hundreds of fish come in to be hand fed on the bay.  There were big milkfish, bright green & silver, catfish, mullet, bream, batfish, barramundi, crabs and a stingray.   Trays of bread are set out and you can either go into the water around your calves or kneel over  and just feed the fish.  It was an amazing site.   It was so enjoyable, to watch them take the bread and touch/feel them.   We stopped feeding them after a while and just sat back and watched them interact, occassionally have a battle etc.  It was really relaxing and one of the nicest things we have done here so far.

Ricks friend the batfish, this large round, flat shaped fish was one of about 6 that remained with Rick for ages, taking it in turns to come up for bread, almost impossible to photograph as they were very quick and the sun was too reflective on the clear water

The lower pool at Berry Springs when it got busy.  We had all of this to ourselves for about 1 and 1/2

The water rushing out of the Springs at the start of the Berry Creek



Friends were camped out near Berry Springs Nature Park and we got up early, packed a picnic, headed off to visit them and then do the Springs.   Bugger, we had missed them, as they left the park and Darwin early that morning.  It was actually a blessing for us.  We got to the Springs early and had most of it to ourselves.  By 11.30 it was getting packed.    There are 2 springs here, they feed down thru 3 ponds.  The first has the water rushing out, like a mini waterfall, flowing down to the main pool (very deep) and then to a lower pool.  We chose the lower pool cos it wasnt as deep for me.    It was as warm as toast and clear as a bell.  I thought at least I will see a croc if there is one there!!!!!!!!!   Lots of little fish here and they didnt mind giving you a nibble.  It was a little frightening at first but as the pools become busier they disappeared.   This was absolute bliss.  The best springs we have done so far.   We fed the fish cake as we sat on the rocks and had a coffee.    This is a large nature park, lots of beaut old treees, bbq and tables/chairs everywhere.   When we arrived at 9.30 there were 4 cars in the carpark, when we left at 1pm there were prob 100 or more plus a tour coach.   Apparently weekends it is full.   It is still school hols here, they have a month, so lots of mums with kids.





Out and about in Darwin

Its all about Crocs up here

We have been getting up early each day and heading out to look around.  Its quite hot and humid.  Arnd 30-32o and we just arent used to it.   Our day starts early, ends up back at the park by arnd 2-3 then in the pool for 2 hours and then Happy Hour drinks.  Its soooo hard to take!!   Have visited the City, the City Mall (shabby) done a Heritage Walk around Town, the World War 2 Museum (great), the World War 2 Underground Storage Tunnels (amazing feat), the scenic East Point, Fannie Bay Jail, the Cullen Bay Marina for fish n chips (think the rich, mega houses on the canals with their yacht moorings) beautiful ocean views etc., did the Jumping Crocs Cruise down the Adelaide River, Fogg Dam, which is actually just a massive wetlands filled with thousands of birds.  You could walk across the dam wall until a croc took up residence, and they cant catch him. Have done three Markets, one of which was advertised as a Flea Market and we thought "Trash and Treasure" but it was actually in the Asian sector of town and consisted of 80% stalls selling every conceivable herb, fruit and vege, most of which we have never seen before.  Lots of vendors selling hot food, mostly Indonesian/Thai/Indian.   There are 7 weekend markets here in Darwin so they are a huge thing.   Must admit a lot of the stuff we have seen at the markets we saw in Bali.  A dress I bought in Bali for $8 was at one market for $30.

I didnt know that this bird was the NT State symbol.  Couldnt work out why people were so excited to see one.  Everywhere you go here, its all about the Croc.  From Croc Parks, Croc Cruises, Croc Meat, Croc Leathergoods etc.etc.   Croc pics everywhere.  I thought the Croc was their symbol.  Definitely the thing tourists come here to see.

The Jabiru - N..T. Symbol

The color of the bay is beautiful.  Shades of turquoise to blue and as clean as can be.  Hope to do a ferry ride tomorrow across to a pub and go for a swim on the beach over there.

The view across to Dawin City

This is one of the Crocs from the Jumping Croc Cruise.  There are 3 different operators here, all vying for the $$$$.  Each has their own lot of crocs that recognise their boat and come out to be tempted to jump.  They are amazing to watch and when you see them up close they are actually quite a spectacular looking beast.   Loved every minute of this cruise, saw so many really big intimidating crocs.
The top picture was from Crocadylus Park,  Its basically a croc breeding park with zoo animals thrown in.  There must be at least 500-600 crocs at this park.    Lots of pens with breeding pairs and then lagoons with literally 100s in them, ranging from little tackers to mega size.  I assume they are bred for their meat and skin.  You could buy croc handbags etc. or croc bbq meat packages here.  I didnt take too much notice of why it was here.  It was just mind boggling to see so many.   We did see an actual croc farm while out on a drive and they have 10,000 on the farm, all bred for meat and skin products there.

Last Sat night we had a great night out.  It had been 32o during the day, hot and sticky.  We headed out at 5pm with a picnic.  Dressed in shorts/singlets/thongs.  The evening was balmy with a huge full moon.  Absolutely perfect weather for   -  The SPEEDWAY.    Darwins speedway was a pleasure to go to.  A huge night of racing.  Starting at 5.30 to 9.30.  30 races, barely a minute bet. racing.   Excellent venue, lots of lovely green grass to sit on ,a bar, you could buy anything from stuffed potatoes to Asian to Ricks fav. the Wog Sausage.    The racing was great, just no big crashes which we all love to see.    Cost to enter $5 p.p. What a bargain.