Katherine to Kakadu

We are currently in Jabiru in Kakadu, making our way to Darwin tomorrow.  For those interested, I will try to update the blog in the next day or two.   No service for the 5 days we have been in Kakadu and our friends Eric & Helen have broken down here in Jabiru.   No mechanic here able to fix it so a flat bed tow truck is coming from Darwin tomorrow.  Their Winnebago Motorhome has to be towed into Darwin to an Iveco dealer tomorrow, they dont know whats wrong with it or how long it may take to either look at it or fix it. so too much going on today/tonight.   We are still alive, still having fun, its warm and muggy.  Jumped into the swimming pool here in Jabiru at the caravan park as soon as we booked in.   Long day parked by the side of the roadf with our friends waiting to find out what was going to happen to them.

Edith Falls Update

Forgot to mention that when we went swimming at Edith Falls, Rick took his phone in with him.  How he could forget it was in his pocket is a mystery.   Anyway, he is now out of contact by mobile until we get to Darwin and sort something out.   He is happy cos he hates his phone.   You can call me or email us if necessary.

Katherine

We arrived in Katherine, a big town with good facilites.  Needed to do all those jobs, once settled, laundry, shopping, getting to know the "neighbours" in the Big 4 etc.   Then we decided we had to visit the Katherine River and the Hot Springs.    After the last two hot pools we had visited, we were really looking forward to these.   We wished we had had some "pool noodles" at the last two, so when we saw some  at the Katherine $2 shop, we armed ourselves with 6 of them.Off we went, and what a disappointment the hot springs turned out to be.   The best way I can describe them is  --  disgusting.   Imagine taking a very lukewarm bath after ten other of your relatives had soaked in it.  Thats what it felt like and looked like.   Of course, even though we didnt like the look of it, we did all jump in.  It was only after you were in, that you regretted it.   Cant say what it was, it was crowded, it wasnt warm and it was murky.    Enough to have us rush back to the caravan park for hot showers and medicinal happy hour.    The next day we headed off to do a tour of the Cutta Cutta Caves, about 30kms from Katherine.  They were nice caves and it was enjoyable, but we have seen far better caves.  I was hoping to see the bats that live in the caves but we werent allowed to go that far in.    Then drove out the other side of Katherine about 70kms to see Edith Falls in the Katherine Gorge Nat.Park.  We were told there was a rockpool that we could swim in, and as its been pretty hot and sticky, we thought it would be great.   Well the falls were beautiful, but as you can see, quite small.   The water rushing over them was huge though, causing a very strong current.   The rockpool turned out to be more like a major lake.   It was freezing in the water though.    We managed to stay in for about a half hour, with our trusty noodles on hand to save us from being washed down river.  I managed to leave the safety of the step/rail and even had my feet off the river floor.  A big achievement for me.   It was a great day and the scenery was lovely.

We spotted this plane on someones property.  Perhaps it didnt quite make it back from that scenic flight over the Katherine Gorge.  There are enough helicopter joy flight operators here to make the skies quite busy.  There are 13 gorges in the National Park and you can only get easy access to 3.   A helicopter trip is the way to go, if you are cashed up.

We chose to do a 3 gorge cruise thru the National Park and it was spectacular.  Our guide was funny and informative, both with the aboriginal history of the gorge itself and the geology of the region.   Took so many photos we were so impressed with the rugged beauty of the place.   A warm sunny day, the water sparkled and the rocks were so many different colors, with lots of little waterfalls and foliage in nooks and crevices.   At the end of the 3rd gorge you trek for about 10 mins to this lovely waterfall and rockpool.  We had about 45 mins here, and you could swim in the very clear water.  Whilst we had all planned to do the swim, Rick and I were the only 2 of the 6 of us who were wearing their togs.    Rick decided he didnt want to go in the water and I  was really disappointed as I so wanted to sit under the waterfall but was too scared to do it by myself in case I slipped in and had to get a 5 year old to come save me.

On the way down to get the cruise boat, we encountered 100s of bats.  They are living in the trees surrounding the area closest to the boat launch.  They are absolutely stinking.  You hear their noise and smell their smell before you get to see them.  Never seen anything like it before, nor do I ever want to smell it again.Came back to the township itself and had a picnic by the river and then off we went to shop and stock up cos tomorrow we are heading off on our way to Kakadu.    Have been meeting quite a few motorhomers from the Southern Explorers a chapter group that we have spent a few weekends with .back in Feb and March. Yesterday whilst having a coffee, a motorhome pulled up at the back fence    of the caravan park and out jumped Ken & Edna, a couple from Sunbury that we have gotten to know.       Had a long catch up, said our goodbyes, hope to bump into you again one day, and then that afternoon, we saw them at Edith Falls.  We are now bumping into and or camping up with the same people as we all seem to be heading the same way and doing roughly the same distances each day.   Hopefully Kakadu isnt too crowded.   Darwin is chockers we hear.  Caravan Parks are being booked out 3 months in advance.                                                                                                                                                                    

Happy Snaps

I recognise those happy faces, just wish we had the bodies to go with them.

Craft time and happy hour for Helen and Rick

The pub at Daly Waters - there is nothing else here.

Across the road from the pub - reminds me of a Bali Street Stall

Mataranka Hot Pool

Bitter Springs Hot Pool/Stream

An old Telegraph Station near Tennant Creek

We chased him to try and get a good pic.  He wouldnt cooperate

Devils Marbles

A pretty cloud - actually it was smoke from burning off

On the way North

We left Alice Springs and made our way North.  Stopped off at Barrow Creek for fuel and to check out the old pub.  Lots of aborigines here, all drinking VB.   The back of the pub was covered in empty cans.   So far the only rubbish we have seen on the roadsides are empty VB Cartons (lots) and burnt out/stolen? cars. On to Wycliffe Well, Alien Capital of Australia.  Or so they claim.  Possibly because there isnt anything else here to make you vaguely interested in stopping.  Just a caravan park/general store.   The Devils Marbles were next on the "wish list".  Im not sure how I feel about them.  My expectations were huge, seen lots of pics.  They were beautiful, amazing, awesome but Spectacular? as I thought they were going to be, I think not.  Thats just my opinion but.   It was a love/disappointment type of feeling.  Then we went to Tennant Creek.  The drive thru the main street was enough to put you off.   Its a big town, I think around 10,000 people here if Im right.  Its the sort of place I would think twice about walking down the street in the middle of the day.  After dark - you would be MAD.   Full of aborigines, all pretty much just standing/sitting around everywhere.  We had to fuel up here and whilst Rick was in the mens room, two young girls (13/14) came in and actually asked him for money.;  He told them "go get a job".  Its sad to think they might have been actually soliciting at their age.  They passed us a little later outside, not a care in the world.    We had a picnic out at Lake Mary Anne and we all agreed we couldnt be bothered staying here.   So off we headed for the  famous Daly Waters Pub/Camping ground.   Fortunately a friend in Darwin had called me that morning and told me "get there by lunchtime" or take your chances.   We were going out to visit a couple of old towns off the highway, but decided they could wait for a return visit in the years to come.   Got into Daly Waters and we all camped up together.  Another lot of caravanners that we had spent time with caught up with us and we all headed off for Happy Hour and dinner at the pub.   Beef & Barramundi is the speciality.  It was great.  The nightly entertainment was hilarious.  The chaps name was "Chilli"  a comedian/bush poet/balladeer, ex stockman etc. etc.  typical bush bloke.  We bought his CD so hope its as good as the show we saw.  Laughed till we cried. Such a nice spot to stay.  Once again nothing here, just the pub, but it was chockers, prob. 100 or more vehicles all over the place.   The one thing we have found now is that wherever we camp up (free camps)  for the night, we must be there by 2.30/3.00pm or you take a chance of not getting in.   We are now meeting up with the same people over and over again as we all head the same way and do the same distances each day.   Once we left Daly Waters we noticed lots of road kill.  Since we had been in the N.T. there was almost none, Id say prob. at the most 1/2dozen in the weeks we were here.  Then in just 100kms. we saw so many dead wallabies it was shocking.  All small/young.  Saw a dead donkey as well.   It is so lush and green here, the waterholes/dams/creeks all have water in them.  The foliage on the trees is thick and green.  In some cases you cant see thru the trees, the growth is so strong.   I imagined central australia to be quite dry and barren, but we are driving these roads and they look just like bush forests back home.  Lots of colors - greys, lime greens, dark greens, yellow, pink and red flowering trees.  Its just beautiful.   They tell us that is why we arent seeing as much road kill because, there is so much food and water away from the roadsides that the animals are happy staying "bush".

One thing I must mention is the N.T. Govt.   and whoever looks after the roads.  All of the main roads here are in great condition.  Very little potholes etc.   Since arriving on the N.T. border, we have noticed the roadsides have all been slashed from the border, to where we are now, in Katherine.   It must be a huge fulltime job for the slashing gang.   The grass is obviously growing and its a credit to them to have it looking so good.    There is also a lot fo burn offs taking place too. Obviously it means its safer too as you can see if anything is coming out of the bush in front of you. Some caravanners travelling in front of us hit a dingo when it flew out between their car and van.  Weve had a couple run out as well, but they have been a fair way off.  Did kill a lovely 4ft. snake though.  It wasnt happy.

From Daly Waters we travelled to Mataranka.  This is where the warm springs bubble up from the ground and form a  natural "hot spa pool".     The water flows continually. We stayed at the Campground and as soon as we were ready, hit the water.   It was lovely.  Did not want to get out.  Even though it was a very hot day, it felt quite cold when you got out of the stream and so you just jumped back in.   Next to the springs was a river where we saw 3 crocs sunning themselves on some logs.  Creepy.   That night there was some entertainment on.  It was pretty crappy - a Neil Diamond type.   Couldnt sing to save himself. The little kids dancing in front of the stage were more entertaining.  Friday was July 1 - Territory Day.  You can legally buy fireworks on this day and so we were entertained by fireworks during a break in the entertainment.   As soon as they were over, everyone deserted the "entertainment".  We headed back to the vans for a few more drinks and were lucky enough to witness a later fireworks display (I think they found some they forgot to let off)   We had a great view and it was fun to ooh and aah.   We had discussed going down for a swim in the dark, taking our lanterns, but we all chickened out.   Got up the next morning early before brekkie and had a long dip in the warm waters before we packed up and went 3kms up the road to another - This time it was called Bitter Springs.  Similar to the Mataranka Pool but this one is a big stream, lots of foliage and water lillies in the water.   It was very deep and I didnt venture away from the ladder leading down into the stream.   It was a really nice spot.    We were going to do a couple of walks from there but decided we had better hit the road, go 60kms up to the next free camp, just out of Katherine.  That way we would only have a short 50km the next day to get to Katherine and our Big 4 Caravan Park.  Here for a couple of days.  Posting pics next blog, hopefully.

Still In Alice

The pub is for sale, no customers prob. 6 months of the year as the road in would be impassable, plus no one lives out here except for the Ranger

The police station & jail cells, still rock solid after all these years

Sadly this biker lost his life when he hit a camel whilst riding with his Mates.  He was beheaded.  How horrible for his friends and family.  A fitting monument though.

We didnt leave Alice as planned.  Helen has been ill with a bad virus and ended up at the Hospital for 5 hours, so we all opted for another day here.   Rick and I took off to see Ross River, Grant had recommended.  Unfortunately it was looking pretty wet as we drove in and we were told by a local "if you get bogged, youre staying put"   Noone around to pull us out.  If we had been with another vehicle and/or had phone service we might have given it a go but we came across a large volume of water and the road the other side looked dodgy.  Turned around and came out.   Then headed north to Arltunga.  The first City in Aust. Established here because of gold.  Some of the old stone buildings have been restored, otherwise its pretty much just old empty buildings but lots of equipment still lying around and lots of interesting stories from the  Ranger here.  He gave us some demos of the old equipment and we wandered around all day.  You could enter a large no. of underground mines here, ladders for easy access, but a torch was needed.   I went down into one for photos, got heaps of little insects crawling thru my hair, and that was it for me.  Out like a shot.   Had a great picnic in the hills, and had to thank Helen for getting sick and giving us another day here.  Saw some wedge tailed eagles on the road with fresh bunny kill.   We had to come to a complete stop.  Then they flew off and so we took off road after them.  They dropped the bunny and so we all waited - Two eagles in the trees, the bunny in front of the car and us, cameras posied waiting for that perfect photo opp. as they swooped down.  Naturally their patience won out and we gave up.  They knew that bunny wasnt going anywhere.    Came back into town thru the East McDonnell Ranges, where we had camped previously.  Still in awe of their beauty.  We love Alice & the red Centre.  Wish we could stay.  The Royal Show is on July 2 and the Camel Races July 9.  We will have to save them for another time/year.  We will definitely be back here and for much longer next time.   Had 13 days here, not enough.   Vanessa from Imparja TV came for Happy hour and Helen, Eric & Vanessa were heading to the Casino, Ros & Tony to Bojangles Saloon and us, off for an early night.   We are leaving tomorrow for Tennant Creek and the Devils Marbles.

Palm Valley drive (cont.)

Serpentine Gorge, beautiful running water, clear as a bell, lots of palms and ghost gums around the waterhole

Ellery Creek Bighole - lots of dead fish floating on the surface, click on pic and see if you can see them.

One of the Roma Gorge Rock Carvings

The waterhole at Roma Gorge

The Ochre Pits

Ellery Creek Bighole, we caught the stench of dead fish before we saw the swimming hole.