The Top End.....

The day came to leave WA – the past 10 weeks far exceeded my expectations.  If I had to described WA in one word it would be spectacular.  The contrast to the east coast is so dramatic in every way – the landscape, the vastness, climate, coast lines.  But it’s not because WA is so drifferennt to other parts of Australia it’s because it is part of Australia.  Our country is so diverse and rich with natural history.  Other countries may have centuries of civilisied history but I can’t remember seeing another part of the world that has impressed me with the natural history and beauty we have.  Billions of years in the making!

We left Lake Argyle and crossed the border a short way down the road.  It was then a straight drive to Katherine.  We really only had one day in Katherine.  A local market in the morning and a 4 hour cruise on Katherine Gorge (Nitliluk) in the afternoon.  The cruise was the only way to see the gorge – we enjoyed our 4 hours, another passionate guide with lots of info to hand on to us.  We also got our first look at some Northern Territory Aboriginal Rock Art.

From Katherine we travelled north up to Litchfield National Park.  Our campsite was only 400 metres from Florence Falls – a lovely way to cool off after a long day.  The campfires at night were an added bonus too – such a nice way to end the day.

Our second day in Litchfield began with the lookout at Tolmer Falls…..

Then on to Wangi Falls.  To date this is the busiest place we’ve been.  We’re pretty close to Darwin now and day trips are popular to Litchfield, particularly Wangi Falls as the carpark is close and the entrance (thanks to the concrete steps!) into the water is easy for all ages.  It was still a beautiful spot and once in the water you had plenty of your own space.

From Wangi Falls we drove into the Lost City.  It was actually an eerie place and hard to believe it wasn’t the ruins of a city long ago …..

To finish off the day we lazed about in the Buley Rockpoles.  The girls were pleased as one pool was particularly deep and they could jump of the rocks into the water – they even convinced Andrew and me to have a go.  It was good fun!!!

We moved on to Darwin and spent our first night back in the big smoke on the waterfront celebrating, also acknowledging our arrival in our most northern point of the holiday!!  Any excuse!!!

We had 4 nights in Darwin and we had a fun time.  We visited the NT Museum and Art Gallery, the WW11 Oil Tunnels, the wave pool at the waterfront, Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, the Aviation Museum and a night out at Fiddlers Green with two different groups of people we’ve met along the way.

WW11 Oil tunnels

Mindil Beach

Isla pretty happy about her first movies - Minions!

A free waterpark all to ourselves!!

Our next stop was Kakadu.  We planned on 2 maybe 3 nights in the park and ended up staying 5.  We’d heard from so many different people about ‘Kakadu/Kakadont’ so I think our expectations were low.  But even if they were high I think we’d still have been happy – we really enjoyed our stay in Kakadu.  We went to the Windows on the Wetlands centre, saw some wonderful rock art, a stunning sunset at Ubirr, walking and swimming at Twin Falls, Maguk and Gunlom and a river cruise with an indigenous guide who taught us about bush tucker, bush medicine and how to throw a spear.  

The wetlands from Ubirr 

Sunset from Ubirr

Jim Jim creek

The tricky walk up Jim Jim gorge

But well worth the walk - had the pool to myself!!!

The hardest climb we had, Gunlom.  Left - the view up to the top, middle - as we came over the ridge, right - down in the natural infinity pool - amazing.

Maguk waterfall

A group of Brumby's near our tent in Gunlom

One of the guys Andrew went fishing with in Broome caught up to us in Darwin and followed us out to Kakadu so the two of them went out on another trip hunting the, so far, elusive Barramundi on the East Alligator River.  Fortunately it was a success – I’m not sure we would’ve been allowed to leave before Andrew caught one!!

Andrew's catch on the The Little Roper River - home to many crocs!!!

With the end of our time in Kakadu came time to point our noses seriously south!! With just over 3 weeks to go the long drive down the middle can’t be put off any longer.  We’re a bit upset about having to leave the warm weather – the thought of 0c overnight in Alice Springs isn’t helping either!!

Oh well all good things (the weather) must come to an end.

A.