Billabongs & Plunge Pools

Breakfast at 7.00am, and then it was back on the bus for a drive to Anbangbang Billabong, a beautiful wetland on the way to Nourlangie Rock, where the early morning birdlife was a real treat to see. From there we had just a short drive to Nourlangie Rock where we spent a couple of hours learning about the Aboriginal Culture through the many examples of Rock Art. Nourlangie Rock is an important site and has been preserved for us to see with a series of boardwalks so you can get right up close to the art. We climbed up to an area beside the rock called Gun-warddehwardde Lookout which had more great views of the Arnhem Land Escarpment (in the distance) over the wetlands and Nourlangie Rock.

Back in the bus to our next stop which was Maguk or Barramundi Gorge as it is also known. We changed into our bathers here before we headed off on a 30 min walk into the Gorge. Along the way in, following a river, there were signs warning that swimming was probibited due to the possibilty of crocodiles. Our walk took us up and over many large boulders & rocks and at the end was the most wonderful pool at the bottom of a waterfall. While the 'Crocodile' signs were still here we were advised that it was highly unlikely that they could get over the rocks to make it into the water. Hmmm - should we buy this tale or not? We did and before long we were all swimming in this little piece of paradise and loving it. Of course it then took another 30 mins to walk out again, on the bus again we found that no-one had been eaten by the crocs so it was all systems go to head off down the four wheel drive track again to find a spot for lunch followed by a short visit to the Warradjan Aborignal Cultural Centre.

From there it was just a short ride back to our camp at Cooinda and we spent a lesuirely afternoon at (and in) the pool. There is also a newly opened nature trail going from the back of the campsite through the mangrove/forest area and coming out at a boardwalk beside the Yellow Water Billabong which we cruised on yesterday. Our guide told us not to get to close to the edge and don't stay still for too long - comforting thought eh! Still not sure if he was joking. Anyway we did the walk and got to the billabong in one piece and in time to see the sunset over Yellow Waters. Once on the boardwalk beside the water we saw a few crocodiles just gliding by. They are so silent and almost invisible - very scary.

Another yummy dinner and a spider free night and it was off to dream of tomorrow's adventures, see you then ......