Crocodile Dundee Territory

Further to our brief Kakadu update, we now able to get on line with Wi-Fi at our Darwin campsite.




Well what an experience the Northern Territory Top End has been. We have met so many like - minded travellers from different parts of Australia, Far East, Europe as well as UK.

"Vicky" our campervan is very comfortable, the fridge is a godsend and so is the fan at night because it has been very hot, 40 deg C plus by day and nearly that at night. By the time we have had Happy Hour and a Barbecue, it is dark by 7pm. We download the photos onto the laptop, and get an early night. We are awake by 6am ready for the new day.

After Jabiru, we went to Nourlangie Rock and saw fantastic aborigine art work on the rocks. At the top we surveyed Arnhem Land and could see the deliberately lit bushfires (to burn off old undergrowth). Next morning, having watched two dingoes close to our van, we set off on the 2hr Yellow Water cruise at 6.45 am. Saw about 20 crocodiles, some huge ones 4 metres long and loads of bird life – sea eagles, sacred ibis, dacta birds, whistling kites, little azure kingfishers and 'Jesus' birds that appeared to walk on water.

Next day was at Katherine, swam in the thermal pools. Every campsite has a swim pool, so my aim is to swim at least once every day, the temperature of the pools though is like a warm bath about 37 deg. Next trip was the 4 hr cruise up 3 of Katherine's gorges, starting early morning. On the way up we saw aboriginal rock paintings dating back 8000 years. In the wet season the gorge can flood up to 20 metres depth – a lot of water! In the second gorge we climbed the cliff to see more paintings, this time yellow ochre rather than red and even older. At the top of the 3rd gorge we walked to the vortex holes, where you can see how the swirling waters of flood water have worn away the rock. Coming back down to the first gorge we pulled over to the bank and had a swim in the river. I also had a go blowing the Guide's didgeridoo. He said I was making a 'buffalo' call!!

Left Katherine after lunch and stopped for another swim in the Edith Falls, no crocs! Charlie the buffalo was standing (stuffed) on the bar at the Adelaide river roadhouse (Crocodile Dundee fame). While we were there a coach load of people arrived for breakfast before joining the Ghan train. There had been a derailment South of Darwin earlier in the week. Yesterday we made our way to Litchfield Park, very lush tropical palm and pandanus trees. The park has more undulating bushland than Kakadu. Saw the magnetic termite mounds, all aligned N to S (a living Stonehenge). More swimming at Wangi Falls where we saw lots of bats in the trees, and finally dipped into the Buley Rock holes, waterfalls with deep swimming pools, a bit cooler water. Peter is enjoying 'networking' with the other cooks at the barbecue every evening while I write the 'blog'. We visited Darwin beaches which were deserted on account of the stingers (lethal jelly fish). The Darwin Art Gallery has an excellent display of Aborigine Art and explained some of the art which we have seen during the last few days. The Darwin Museum exhibits relating to Cyclone Tracey (which wiped out Darwin, Christmas Eve 1974), were particularly interesting as I had received refugee children at my school in Melbourne at the time.

All in all, a brilliant start to the trip. See our photos in the Gallery.

Flying to Cairns tomorrow. Catch up with us again in Queensland. Sheila & Peter