Kakadu and beyond.......

Our week in civilisation had been fun but now it was time to head back to the bush again.  We were off to spend a few days in Kakadu.  We left Darwin mid morning and our first stop was to have a look the Adelaide River crossing.  We had a coffee here and enjoyed watching the tourists taking action photos with this cute croc.

A little further along the road we stopped to look at Leaning Tree Lagoon.  Josie had told us it was lovely but there were heaps of March flies.  There certainly were and we did not even get out of the car.

Looking for somewhere to stop for lunch we came to Mary River National Park and decided to have a look at Mary River Billabong.  A lovely spot but no camping.  We ate our lunch here, had a short walk along the river bank, and then continued in search of somewhere to stay that night.

A little further along the road we came to Mary River Wilderness Retreat and decided that would be far enough for today.  This is a lovely green oasis along the way with campgrounds and cabins, swimming pool and a bar.  We found a site and settled in for a quiet night and didn't even go near the bar.  Think our livers needed a rest after a couple of weeks in Darwin!

The next morning we set off again stopping at The Bark Hut to buy our passes in to Kakadu.  They didn't sell them so we had a coffee instead and set off again buying the passes at the Kakadu Aurora Resort.  

A little further along the road we came to the Mamukala Wetlands so we stopped here and walked into the bird hide.  We spent almost an hour here watching the antics of the Purple Swamp Hens, Darters, Herons and the many other water birds that call this place home.

We continued on to Jabiru where we stopped and ate our lunch in the park before making our way to Mardugal camp ground where we stayed for two nights.

Just next to Yellow Waters and Cooinda this is a peaceful place to stay away from all the tour buses.  The camp ground is huge with showers and toilets and once again only $10 per person per night.  We found a spot and were soon settled in and enjoying an afternoon rest.

The next morning we followed the walk track to Mardugal Billabong which was lovely but no birds in sight out here.  The ever present crocodile signs sort of spoil such an idyllic location but I'm sure they were lurking not too far away.  This is the first trip where we haven't seen any crocs at all but then we haven't been out on the rivers this time.

After a quick stop into Cooinda we made our way to Anbangbang Billabong where we followed the walk track right around the edges.  A beautiful place with lots of birds and spectacular scenery with Nourlangie Rock towering beside it.  The Pelicans were a surprise as we have not seen them up here before.  After eating our lunch we made our way back to camp and enjoyed a quiet afternoon and evening.

The next morning it was time to move on and into another Kakadu campground.  We were off to Gunlom Falls which has been closed during our previous visits which have been near the wet season.  The road in is a 37 km 4WD recommended rough red road.  Just the type we have come to know and love, hmm!  It actually wasn't too bad and the camp ground and the Falls at the end well worth the trip in.

Gunlom Falls are another truly spectacular water feature with another beautiful and inviting pool at the bottom.  This pool had been closed recently due to crocodiles being sighted and the croc cage at the side didn't fill me with confidence.  We chose not to swim but many others were!  

If you take a walk up the steep rocky hill to the top of the escarpment there are beautiful pools on top where you can swim without fear of crocs.  The infinity pool here is just stunning.  Bill did this walk the next morning and brought me back photos from the top.  I have developed a bit of a dodgy hip and while I can still walk for miles on the flat I'm not so good on the very steep and rocky hills.  Also his 6.30 am get up time did not thrill me either.

We just stayed the one night here and drove back out the next day and made our way back to Pussy Cat Flats at Pine Creek.  Bill was hoping to find the Hooded Parrot again and see if he could get some more pictures.  Once more we camped on the race track and this time watched four people playing a round of golf the next morning.

We went in search of the parrots that evening and could not find them at either of the locations we had seen them last time.  One last stop at the drain by the shop and there they were.  Hooded Parrots galore.  There must have been a dozen or more.  There was a sprinkler dribbling water and they were up and down from this, in the drain and on the lawn and overhead wires.  Just beautiful birds and we stayed and watched them for ages before heading back home once more.  Mission accomplished!

The next morning we left Pine Creek and drove back to Edith Falls where we spent two lovely days relaxing and swimming in the beautiful pool there.  This Northern Rosella was a surprise visitor one day.  We met some lovely people while swimming here and one couple in particular became our 'serial stalkers' for a few days.  (in the nicest possible way of course).  Dorothy and John were traveling in a camper van from Sydney and we were to meet them many times over the next few days. 

Returning to Katherine we stopped to shop, playing aisle tag with Dorothy and John.  Leaving Katherine this time we turned west and are on our way to Kunnaurra and Wyndham.

We stopped for lunch at Limestone Creek Rest Area and then decided that this was far enough for one day so stayed the night.  As we were taking it easy under the awning who should arrive - yes you guessed it.  They camped next to us and it was really nice to get to know the neighbours for a little while.

The next day we made our way to Victoria River Roadhouse, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way.  We stopped and looked at the Durack Memorial which is a replica of a Bronco Rail paying tribute to all the pioneers who came and settled in this area many years ago.

We continued on to Big Horse Creek Campground in the Gregory National Park.  A lovely place with big sites and toilets all for $3.30 per person per night.  What more could you ask for.  And who did we find had got there ahead of us.  We stopped and had a chat after settling in.  The Boab trees, of all shapes and sizes, scattered around the campgrounds are a great attraction too.

During the afternoon we walked down to have a look at the Victoria River from the boat ramp, but no swimming here as crocodiles rule apparently, though we didn't see any today.  The 'stalkers' popped in the next morning to say farewell as we were moving on and they were staying another day.  And so there endeth the adventures of the 'fabulous foursome'. It was a few days of fun!

The next morning our first stop was just a few km down the road to see The Gregory Tree.  This large Boab stands at the campsite of the explorer Augustus Charles Gregory who set up camp here  between October 1855 and July 1856.  This was during his Northern Australian Expedition.  Both dates are inscribed in the tree.  The tree also has special significance to the local aboriginal people and is now registered as a sacred site.  The tree is still alive today which would have to make it 150 to 200 years old now.

We drove on stopping along the way to make coffee and then lunch in smaller rest areas and finally we arrived at our destination for the night.  Keep River National Park has two campgrounds and we had chosen to stay in the closest one to the main road.  Just 16 kms of 4WD track to negotiate and we were there and what an amazing spot it was.  

The Gurrandalng campsite is situated below a towering rock landform said to be similar in structure to those found at the Bungle Bungles.  With walk trails and spectacular rock formations we were looking forward to exploring a bit further.

The next morning we were up before the sun, did the walk, and enjoyed seeing our little part of the world wake up around us.  Bill found some White Quilled Rock Pigeons to play with along the way as well.  

Back at home we had breakfast and set off again stopping at the NT/WA border for the obligatory fruit and veggie check.  With nothing to declare we were on our way again quite quickly and our next stop was The Ivanhoe Caravan Village in Kunnaurra.  Lots to see here 

so until next time.......