This part of the trip had it all! All except coverage that is!!! We have been either too busy or too far away from a town to have coverage that would allow us to update the blog. Sorry folks.
However here goes. I'll list all the places we have been and then write about the most outstanding bits with added pics (if they'll load). Have been having trouble getting photos up but will keep trying.
Darwin...(5 nights)
The park had a great pool but boy was it hot here! We toured into Kakadu and took the Yellow Waters Cruise. Brilliant. (AAT KINGS) We also took the bus into Darwin CBD and went to the Mindil Markets. We bought ourselves a piece of Aboriginal Art from a dealer (Jayne had researched) in town and then we had dinner at a lovely Vietnamese Restaurant. A great day. The other days we rested and swam and cleaned.
Litchfield National Park.
We drove into this NP on a day when there were a number of fires. We thought at first they were planned and controlled but as we drove further in we read signs that said beware WILDFIRE smoke hazard. It is a long way in and a bloody long way out, the same way, so we stayed long enough to see one of the waterfalls and left to ensure our safety.
Adelaide River
Its a long story but I have a connection to this place that I will be pursuing once I get home. However there is a beautiful War Cemetery here that is definitely worth seeing.
Pussy Cat Flats (near Pine Creek)
We stayed here for one night. It is an old racetrack that is now being used as a camp area. It has a bar and a restaurant and has a great character about it. We really enjoyed this spot. However, when I asked about why it was called Pussy Cat Flats, although not surprised, I was a bit troubled. It was here through the war in the early 40's that the guys from the armed forces took R&R. That would be they fratenised with the local Aboriginal women. Hence the use of the word 'pussy'. What troubles me is that I have a photo of my father up these parts with his arm around an Aboriginal woman...she is pregnant. The photo has always haunted me as I have no idea of what the connection may, or may not have been between them. I know its around Adelaide River way as he has written on the back of the photo. I don't have anyone alive to ask now so I will be researching what I can, but assuming the best of the man.
Katherine and Katherine Gorge
The township is ok but some of the surrounding area's are just beautiful. We took a cruise up the Gorge, as you do, but also so I could see in real life the spot my grandmother painted many years ago. I have the painting and I have no idea if she painted it from a photo, a magazine or from real life. I'm inclined to think real life but who knows! The Gorge is lovely.
Mataranka (Bitter Springs)
We stayed here just one night and the park was really ordinary...BUT it is next to a warm running spring that you can float down (on a noodle) until you reach a bridge then get out and run back to the start and float down again. What an absolute joy that was. The spring is about 32 degrees and crystal clear. It runs at 300 litres per second and it runs from the Barkly Tableland. This was a highlight I must say and something I would recommend to do if you are in these parts.
Bank Banka
This is an old cattle station turned campground. Originally owned by the 'Kidmans' It was cheap ($20) and cheerful. Lots of grass, with spring water but no electricity. I was dying to go for a walk because we had been driving and sitting all day, Jayne wasn't keen, so I took off by myself. There was a hill overlooking the station with flags on top so I headed up for the view. While I was up there I noted a sign pointing to a waterhole, meanwhile, I was joined by a woman who was running away from a cranky husband. I showed her the sign and said I was going to head there, she asked if she could come along. It was a 4klm walk and we bothed talk our watoozies off. The waterhole was spectacular and we saw wallabies and snakes along the way. A lovely spot....very remote... but lovely.
Camooweal
This is in the middle of nowhere in The 'Never Never' but its on the Barkly Highway on the way to the east coast. Say no more. We did stop for a break at The Barkly Homestead and bought a few trinkets.
Free camping in the desert
We had to stop another night before we could make Townsville as it is 2,500 klms between Darwin and Townsville and we just couldn't push it any more. We found a great free camp spot west of Richmond and slept there. We looked in at Richmond as its on the Dinosoar Trail and its where they have a working Fossil Museum. Terrific.
Townsville
This is where we rest a little, cut our hair, dye Jaynes hair, do our toenails, wash our clothes and bed linen and have a quick look around. THEN its off to MIssion Beach for a HOLIDAY!!!!
See gallery. Hope I can get photos up!