Adelaide River, Batchelor and Rum Jungle Lake........

We woke to another glorious morning in the top end and Bill was first out with his camera to see what birdies were around.  I had a slower start taking my time with a shower, breakfast and the all important cup of tea.  Bill returned soon after for his breakfast and a half hour later we were under the awning with Josie and 'barista' Nolan was spoiling us with coffee as we planned our day.

Our first stop was to The Snake Creek Armament Depot.  This is just a short drive out of Adelaide River and is a treasure trove of relics from WWII. After Darwin was bombed they set up a whole military base here and made munitions for many years.  The base was operational until some time in the 1960,s when it seems to have been abandoned.  Throughout the whole area are the remnants of many buildings, munitions sheds, railway lines and lots of other paraphernalia just left to rust by the military.  It is such a shame that some of it at least can't be restored and set up as a war memorial destination as it is full of history that seems to be on the way to being lost forever.

Leaving the past we returned to camp driving by the sewerage ponds where there where many Magpie Geese, Rajah Shell Ducks, Plumed Whistling Ducks and two beautiful Jabirus.  As we were separated by wire fencing we didn't stay long but Bill did get a couple of pics before we left.  As we came back to the road we found some Red Tailed Black Cockatoos feeding on the ground so spent some time watching them.

Back home we packed the car with a picnic lunch and set off again this time to drive to Batchelor.  We ate our lunch under the shade of some lovely old trees in the middle of town before popping into the Big 4 Caravan Park to have a look at their Gallery of Nolan's photos.  The owners of the park have a wonderful display both electronic and canvas showcasing Nolan's photographs of the many beautiful places around Darwin and the Northern Territory.

From here we drove to Rum Jungle Lake.  This beautiful lake was once the Rum Jungle Uranium mine and once mining had stopped they just left and let nature take its course.  While there are some signs warning of crocodiles we met two young men who assured us there are freshies (they will only nibble your toes) and it was safe to swim.  We didn't try it out but it was a lovely spot to visit.

Leaving the lake we drove home past one more waterhole that Nolan had found by taking a wrong turn some time ago.  This was a wonderland of water birds and soon both boys were snapping away at Green Pygmy Geese, Rajah Shell Ducks, Plumed Whistling Ducks, Heron, Ibis and too many more to list.

We arrived home just in time to pack the drinks and head back up the hill for sunset.  Not so spectacular tonight but very pretty none the less.  Back at home Nolan cooked us another scrumptious dinner and we spent a fun evening under the awning once again.

All too soon we were nodding off again so it was home to bed.  We are off to Pine Creek tomorrow 

so until then..........