Darwin or bust

May 2022

Take 2. Thanks Covid-19 Read more

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Darwin or bust
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- May 10, 2022, 6:00pm
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- Australia New South Wales Botany Bay Mascot Curtin Reserve -33.93427, 151.1796733°56’3” S 151°10’47” E
1
Day 1
It begins
May 10, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Good run from Orange. Left on time. Dropped off Max to Felicity in Glenbrook. Quick coffee and off to Smithfield to pick up a motorbike seat then a beeline to the airport. So efficient, we were 20 minutes early for bag drop. Might get some Yr12 exams marked.Read more
Traveler Max. "watch the road please.
5/15/22Reply
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Darwin or bust
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- May 11, 2022, 7:11pm
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 33 m
- Australia Northern Territory Litchfield Tumbling Waters Arthurs Hill -12.77293, 130.9457812°46’23” S 130°56’45” E
Day 2
Berry Springs
May 11, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
After a lovely coffee from our host Kerry at our Air bnb, we took a taxi to pick up our Apollo camper from the new girl who was being inducted. Lucky us. It took 2 hrs before we could drive off. Jenny visited the information centre of course while I illegally parked. We got a legal parking spot and had a huge NT parmy and beer for $15. Enough for 2 really. Bought a second bag fridge and stocked up with food and grog. We eventually toddled down the road and set up the van, plugging the 240v air con first then wandered off and got some cocktails. Heated up a frozen meal, got a few bevies and watched the outdoor movie. Van is big but still on the squashy side. Looking forward to the rest of our adventure.
Didn't end up watching the outdoor movie. Too many unwanted mozzies.Read more
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Darwin or bust
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- May 12, 2022, 9:00am
- ⛅ 33 °C
- Altitude: 21 m
- Australia Northern Territory Litchfield Tumbling Waters Arthurs Hill -12.77288, 130.945812°46’22” S 130°56’45” E
1
Day 3
Darwin to Tumbling Waters
May 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Spent the day tripping around Darwin, dropping our now empty bags at our next hotel instead of tripping over them. Bought a second fridge for the coldies. Fridge in this van is minuscule and poorly placed being on the ground opposite the bathroom. One for the Apollo suggestion box.
Drove to Tumbling Waters caravan park, set up and enjoyed a couple of cocktails before bed.Read more
Traveler beer coaster dispenser, Darwin style
5/13/22Reply
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Darwin or bust
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- May 13, 2022, 9:05am
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: 64 m
- Australia Northern Territory Coomalie Adelaide River Glen Huitson Park -13.23864, 131.107513°14’19” S 131°6’27” E
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Day 4
Tumbling Waters
May 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Backtracked and went to Berry's Springs . Fantastic waterfall and swimming hole. We were a few weeks early and there were crocs still there, so had to just look.
Went to Wangi Falls. Went for a "walk" that went to the top and around. We didn't know what to expect and only had our crocks on, but survived.
No swimming again.
Buley Holes was the next one and thankfully it was open. We had a lovely well needed swim. Then on to Florence Falls. 450m to the Falls and lots of steps and a beautiful reward at the end. Jenny spotted a longer but less cruelling path back which was appreciated.
Termite mounds were next further down the road, then on to Adelaide River pub. Crocodile Dundee pub. Great feed and beer.
Watched crocodile Dundee on the computer. We thought it fitting to the occasion.Read more
Traveler Added to my list
5/15/22Reply
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Darwin or bust
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- May 13, 2022, 10:21am
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 54 m
- Australia Northern Territory Coomalie Adelaide River -13.23167, 131.11513°13’54” S 131°6’54” E
1
Day 4
Adelaide River to Mataranka
May 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Checked out the war memorial this morning at Adelaide River and then hit the road. Stopped for fuel at Pine Creek and found a quirky pub where we shared lunch. Mud brick, pet snakes and croc skeletons and an attached swimming pool. Top pub. Have sort of planned our next moves but are flexible as to where we end up. Went to Edith Falls and went to a lovely swimming hole. Stunning place with lots of walks and pools. No powered sites so we moved on. Drove through Katherine and had a quick look. Were making good time and figured we would be coming back this way anyway so pushed on to Mataranka Homestead. Pub and live music is good but it is "find the power point" at the so-called caravan park. Hope the thermal pools are good in the morning.Read more
Traveler Jenny enjoying the 130km/h speed limit
5/13/22Reply
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Darwin or bust
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- May 14, 2022, 9:00pm
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 117 m
- Australia Northern Territory Katherine -14.31836, 132.421514°19’6” S 132°25’17” E
Day 5
Mataranka Springs to Katherine Gorge
May 14, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
After breakfast we toddled down to the Thermal Springs at the Homestead caravan park. Packed up and went up the road to Bitter Springs and floated down with the current in those springs. Both lovely places with clear 35 degree water. Drove to Cutta Cutta caves for an hour tour. When an aboriginal word is used twice in a name in gives it double the importance. Cutta Cutta means many stars. The bats take out the sparkly starry sheen off the wet limestone formations which is spread across the sky to make the stars, then bringing them back with them in the morning.
We watched the rabbitohs snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat. They played a woeful second half.
We picked up some supplies and headed out to Katherine Gorge camp-site and missed out on a powered site. Won't listen to advice from travellers again. Also missed out on tomorrows 9am 3 Gorge tour. More great advice. We have Monday booked unless a cancellation comes up.
Great day!Read more
Traveler Looks like you’re both having a good time. What did the crocodile taste like? Chicken?😂
5/15/22Reply
Traveler no, like crocodile.... I have had it before. more like more solid fish
5/16/22Reply
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Darwin or bust
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- May 15, 2022, 6:57pm
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 108 m
- Australia Northern Territory Katherine -14.32552, 132.41612914°19’32” S 132°24’58” E
Day 6
Katherine Gorge, NT
May 15, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We stayed here for our second night, although we did get an upgrade to a powered site. Much better for recharging phones and air-con overnight. We went for a walk down to the river. Jenny got her first up close and personal crocodile experience. We bought a crocodile sausage roll. She managed to eat a small bite enough to say that she has eaten a crocodile, a little at least.
Had a domestic day today doing washing and swimming in the pool. We drove into Katherine again and booked a few activities and then headed back to the golf club to watch the roosters have a win.
Ended up on a group chat with the girls for Emilie's birthday. Happy Birthday, Em. Picked up a few supplies and headed back for dinner.
Jenny found some turnaround paintings for the children. well made.
Another great day.Read more
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Darwin or bust
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- May 16, 2022, 8:00pm
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- Australia Northern Territory West Arnhem Yellow Water -12.90515, 132.5210412°54’19” S 132°31’16” E
Day 7
Katherine Gorge to Cooinda
May 16, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
This morning we had breakfast and packed up and headed down to catch the Katherine Gorge boat to do the 3 gorges cruise. The boat took us up to the end of the first gorge. We then had to hop off and do the first of 3 transfers to a new boat in the second gorge. The scenery was stunning. We saw a 2m freshwater crocodile which we were told was quite rare to see. We saw rock paintings and in the top pool had a swim. This was a highlight of our trip so far.
After disembarking we headed into Katherine for some essential supplies. Jenny's second bottle of wine and ice for Hickys beer. We then dropped into the Museum and soaked up some of the history of the area from stolen generation to floods. It was well worth seeing.
Jenny drove while noddy had a couple of roadies and a nap. We checked in, had a swim and scrubbed up for more barramundi at the restaurant. Midges and mossies are ferocious here. Lucky I left the mossie coil going with the air conditioning on. Looking forward to the yellow river cruise in the morning.Read more
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Darwin or bust
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- May 17, 2022, 8:00pm
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 25 m
- Australia Northern Territory West Arnhem Jabiru -12.66116, 132.835812°39’40” S 132°50’9” E
Day 8
Cooinda to Jabiru
May 17, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Caught our tour coaster this morning to the yellow river cruise jetty. We then spent a relaxing 2 hours being shown first the billabong, then the river, and finally the flood plain. We saw crocs in the wild and lots of birdlife. There was evidence of hoofed animals digging up the bank. We were told by our guide that all hoofed animals in Australia have been introduced and there 5 pests that roam free up here that mess up the National Parks. Our indigenous guide was very knowledgeable and entertaining. Well worth the money.
We then dropped into the Warradjan Cultural Centre. Bought a couple of souvenirs. Unfortunately, one made in China and one made in India.
Went to Nourlangi and saw some rock art.
Went to Jabiru and booked our camp-site, left our chairs and table to claim our spot and drove to Ubirr Rock just before sundown with a picnic and took lots of photos of the sunset.
After driving back, we went for a swim then ordered another barramundi dinner at the caravan park. Another great day.Read more
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Darwin or bust
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- May 18, 2022, 6:00pm
- ⛅ 31 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Australia Northern Territory Darwin Darwin city centre Liberty Square -12.46846, 130.843412°28’6” S 130°50’36” E
Day 9
Jabiru to Darwin
May 18, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Packed up this morning and had a refreshing swim before heading off. We backtracked to Merle camp ground to have a look then on to Cahill Crossing to see the crocks munching on barramundi. Saw the tide rise and a lots of blokes fishing in vain. Not a bite. No crocs biting either.
We then pulled over at another crossing and I tried my luck fishing while keeping a keen eye out for the snapping jaws of death. No barramundi. Dropped. Into Humptydoo pub for a quick look. Nothing much to see.
Arrived in Darwin around 5pm and picked up our bags from our next stay. Walked down to the harbour and had dinner at Fiddlers Green. Pretty relaxing day. We will head off to our powered site when we are done and have an early night. Leaving at 5.30 in the morning for my fishing trip.Read more
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