Katherine to Kakadu

The Billabong

Camped up at Kakadu

We left Katherine, excited to be travelling to World Heritage Kakadu.   Stopped off at the town of Pine Creek, where there are old mine settlements and a lookout.   Had morning tea, then took off.  As we are much quicker and more organised, we lead the way.  30kms down the road, we were wondering "where are they". Couldnt get them on the CB, couldnt see them in the rear mirror.   We couldnt work out why we hadnt reached the Arnhem Hwy turnoff, it was just "out of town:"  Then we realised we were going the wrong way.  Naturally Rick was "HAPPY" with his navigator.   We had to wait to do a u-turn and then hightail it back to Pine Creek and then onto the right Hwy.  Naturally everyone else had gone that way.   Of course, as happened when you are in a hurry, we hit roadworks, burning-offs, single lane roads and then Ricks favourite  -- the caravaneer doing 70kmh.   Much cursing and nail biting overtaking later, we got in touch with our fellow travellers.   They were waiting at the Mary River Roadhouse.   As we drove towards the stop, they were all out on the Highway waving towels, etc. to flag us down, to make sure we didnt get lost. What a bummer we took the wrong turn, not for the first time though.   Had to laugh later, once we got over the "p-----off" feeling.    Off we then all went and got camped up for the night.    We were just finishing up Happy Hour when I decided we should go visit the billabong, just close to camp.   At first I saw, the warning "croc" signs, but they are everywhere so thats OK.  Then as we started on the path, the forest seemed a little too dense and dark and then the swampy water areas seemed too close to the path.   I started to feel a little scared, glad when we got to the Billabong and even happier to get out and back to the bus.   More happy hour needed.