"Spot-less" and Heading for Darwin.

Day 28 – Today we headed off for some sight seeing, visiting the town’s hot springs, thermal pools and Knotts Crossing the original river crossing in Katherine. Later in the day we went on the boat trip up Katherine Gorge with Gary and Jack arriving late, nearly missing the tour. It was spectacular with the first part of the trip having us leave the boat to view large aboriginal rock art on the sides of huge red cliff walls. We walked to a second level and onto another boat where we travelled for some time between enormous red rocky cliffs, pass Jedda’s rock as in the movie Jedda. There were fresh water crocodile foot prints in some of the sandy shore lines, definitely worth a visit. Jack sat and waited at the first level as the walk was a little far. That night we enjoyed drinks and a meal at the park Bistro, catching up with our friends and being entertained by Jack and his enormous repertoire of jokes.

Day 29 – We left Katherine around 9am stopping in at Edith Falls, a very beautiful spot with a touristy shop and camping area. After lunching at Adelaide River we headed for Darwin coming across a couple of large burn off fires with thick grey smoke billowing brilliantly into the sky, quite specky. Remains of several old airstrips from World War 11 could also be seen on the sides of the road. We eventually arrived in Darwin, settled into the Free Spirit Resort and later drove into Darwin CBD for some quick sight seeing and takeaway. Fireworks for sale signs were everywhere and according to the locals, the 1^st of July was the start of the dry and celebrated with fireworks (but I think it’s about the North becoming a Territory). A large fireworks display was being held at Mindil Beach on Fannie Bay by the markets tomorrow night.

Day 30 – The morning was quite humid and dewy and at last some warmer weather. We all went to the CBD and tourist centre to check out the touristy spots and walked around an area where the remains of old buildings, flattened by Cyclone Tracy were still visible. After a drive around the wharf area Gary and Jack headed off to do their own thing. Bruce and I stumbled across shuttle buses going to Stokes Hill Warf and were told it was the only access to the wharf for 2 weeks due to filming for the movie "Australia" with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. We visited the wharf and enjoyed a tasty meal of seafood, then travelled onto Fannie Bay, through Charles Darwin National Park to East Point, visiting the Military Museum and concrete gun and ammunition bunkers. We then went onto Mindil Beach and later met up with Gary and Jack, who thankfully brought our chairs. The market was quite big, with lots of stalls selling a wide range of food, jewellery and other touristy stuff. A large crowd was gathering and after a tasty tea, some wine and beers, we set ourselves up on the beach and enjoyed the warm evening, a magnificent sunset and a fabulous display of fireworks (better than sky show). Fireworks could be seen going off all along the coastline, a spectacular night. However, getting back to the park with the heavy traffic was another issue!

Day 31 – I was not going home without seeing a crocodile so we headed for the Jumping Crocodile Tours on the Adelaide River on the road to Jabiru. The river was quite high as the tide was in, but we were not disappointed seeing several crocodiles jumping up to snatch the bones the tour guide hung over the side, and on our trip back, the guide fed lots of small eagle type birds which flew franticly around the boat. Heading back to the park we stopped at Beatrice Hill visiting the Window on the Wetlands Interpretive Centre taking in the view of the large Adelaide River flood plain area, then onto Fog Dam, built in the 1950s to provide water to rice farmers, now a conservation part. This was a pretty spot, partially covered with waterlilies and alive with birdlife. Jack and Gary called into the Humpty Doo Hotel and enjoyed a large barra burger, a display of various memorabilia saying it was definitely worth a visit. They later visited the Aviation Heritage Centre. Bruce and I called into Howard Springs Nature Park, a man made swimming area and park, built to supply Darwin with water in the 1940s and made into a retreat for soldiers stationed in Darwin during World War 11, very picturesque. More sight seeing and dining out in Darwin while Jack and Gary had a quiet night in.

Day 32 – Another day out in Darwin, walking to old government house along the bay, across the lawns to the infamous court building, shopping for souvenirs, discovering various suburbs and shopping centres. That evening Bruce, Gary and myself enjoyed drinks and a nice meal at the park’s bistro near their large swimming pool where children were able to swim and watch a movie on a giant screen at the same time. A very nice place to stay.

The Darwin Trip - Heading home

Day 33 – (4/7/2007) We packed up and left Darwin around 8.30 driving into Litchfield National Park for a quick look. We travelled through a mixture of grassy landscapes, open wooded areas and scrub, up hills and passing large termite mounds. Eventually we reached Florence Falls, one of the many falls in the park, very picturesque. A small path led us to a lookout near the falls and high above a narrow gorge. Nearby a steep timber stairway (160 steps) led us down through a rainforest and onto a board walk across a small running creek to the base of the falls where people were swimming in crystal clear water. Being warm I could have easily jumped in, a good place to stay next time. We continued on to Katherine, lunching again at Adelaide River and arriving at Mataranka late afternoon where we stayed the night.

Day 34 – Up early again we visited Mataranka Homestead and Tourist Resort just out of Mataranka. This was a great place with a caravan park, tourist shop, indoor/outdoor hotel and bistro facilities and a fire place. Nearby a board walk took you through tall pandanas palms to a cemented pool where people were enjoying a swim in crystal clear warm water, fed by a nearby hot spring. We’ll stay here next time! We headed off to Daly Waters where we stopped for lunch at the pub. Gary was busy admiring the bras hanging from the ceiling along with various other items of memorabilia and Bruce and I enjoyed a large bara burger (Gary helped me finished it). We headed onto Tennant Creek and stayed there the night.

Day 35 – Leaving around 8.30, we checked out the Battery Hill Mining and Visitor Information Centre, worth a visit as it had a fabulous and quite comprehensive gemstone collection. We travelled onto Alice Springs, stopping for a quick look at the Devils Marbles. We arrived in Alice to a public holiday, it was their annual show weekend. Accommodation was difficult to get but luckily we found a park which was filled with dogs and their owners. We enjoyed pizza and interesting conversation with a station hand that Gary had become friendly with.

Day 36 – Gary and Jack decided they would head home today. We did a little sight seeing and left later. It was a long drive, stopping at Erldunda for lunch and then setting up camp at Cadney Station around 5pm. We had a lovely meal at the hotel and met an older couple who were retired geologists and had spent time around the East McDonalds looking for gem stones and rocks. I said they should have a look at the fabulous gemstone collection at Tennant Creek, however, they informed me that he and his wife had set it up.

Day 37 – After watching three, single engine planes take off this morning from behind the park, we left for Pt Augusta and arrived around 4pm, staying the Shoreline Caravan park. We had a nice meal at a nearby hotel then called Gary who arrived home safely that afternoon after staying the night at Lake Hart near Glendambo.

Day 38 – We headed for home and arrived back in Adelaide early afternoon. This was truly an unforgettable and fabulous 5 week trip. We would like to thank our trip leader Spot for his humour, lollies, biscuits, healing, roast nights, planning and research for without this we would never have seen such beautiful and spectacular places like the Painted Desert, Ruby Gap, the Old Andado Track and much, much more. Gary, Jack, Bruce and myself may never have taken the Nathan River Road and enjoyed beautiful remote places that had spectacular scenery and wildlife that we definitely want to go back to. We would never have experienced the fun, excitement and uncertainty of Off Road 4 wheel driving (even if I did get out and walk it at times). We would like to thank Gary, Jack, Spot, Herma, George, Jerry, Bev and Len for their fabulous company. Would do it all again!

Pat & Bruce