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Road trip to Darwin

June - September 2019
Could be our last big road trip to the top end. Ian and I hope to visit Lake Eyre, Darwin, Broome and all the bits between Read more
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  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    Day 22

    Heading to Katherine

    July 18, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Less than 300km to travel today. We were on the road by 9.30. Ian spoke to the young German guy again, who was also camped at Daly Waters. They are heading back...he has now lost his phone!
    We stopped for lunch in a truck rest stop. The driver had hurt his head and had a bandage wound around his head from chin to the top of his head. He looked like one of those old sketches of people with toothaches. He was knocking all the red dirt off his wheels before getting on the weigh bridge. Then he was going to hospital!
    Unbeknown to us, Katherine's Show is on this weekend...so the place is buzzing. I managed to get a bathing costume, and Ian found the Information center. We took a walk down to the hot springs...looks just beautiful!    Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    Day 23

    Katherine Gorge

    July 19, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    The Katherine show is on, but were yesterday, the town was just full of aborigines, today, the town seemed empty. We went to Katherine Gorge and climbed up to the lookout. A woman up there was pointing out a sunbathing Crocodile down below, but hard as I tried, I couldn't see anything. Ian saw it though. We had a picnic lunch on the lovely green lawn before heading off to Edith Falls. The Ghan provides lunch for its passengers here, all white table cloths and champagne glasses. It was a beautiful spot.
    I went for a swim in Edith Falls....very cold. Signs warning of crocs everywhere! Short swim, then out. My new bathers did the job well enough. A young girl lent me her noodle, which was nice. She was too frightened to get into the water further than her knees!
    We tried to extend our stay here. It was a nice CP and Ian was feeling tired...but no joy.
    Watched the Crows get beaten again...but how good to have TV reception!    Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    11
    Day 24

    Mary River Road House

    July 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    We stopped for lunch at Pine Crossing, which looked like a lively little place, heavily frequented by tourists, in vans like ours, and tourist buses. Also rowdy natives at night apparently. Then we entered Kakadu . I had bought a National Park pass online for $60 which covered both of us.
    We saw a lot of burnt undergrowth, and smoke in the distance which may well have contributed to what occurred later!. We were staying at the Mary River roadhouse, and were squeezed in between a Camper van, and two caravans. The boss/ owner had a massive rifle holder attached to his buggy, which he says he uses to shoot buffalo, wild dogs and boars! Then he feeds them to his dogs!
    We also met Walter and Silvia who sat with us over tea. They were heading in the same direction as us, so hopefully we meet again. After Walter and Silvia had departed, Ian and I spotted a flickering light in the distance... getting larger. It just looked like a fire growing and getting out of control! I eventually spoke to the boys sitting around the fire next door. Oh, the rising moon.....they said...and sure enough...from their view point this huge yellow sphere was rising into the sky!!! Doh!    Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    Day 25

    Exploring the Kakadu Ranges

    July 21, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    We said goodbye to Walter and Silvia this morning. They were heading to Yellow Water sunset cruise, before Jabiru.
    We went 6km up the road and came across a beautiful plunge pool, complete with fish! A young couple and their 9 month old baby,were already there having a swim. The water looked crystal clear. Then off to a lookout another 25km away. It was a hot and sticky climb! The third place on our itinerary was 38km down a dirt road. We passed a caravan with a broken axle within 60metres from the start of this very very corrugated road, and we swung round and gave this road a pass! We also forgot to pack any lunch...so Ian ate raw bacon, and nuts, I had hummus and nuts!
    In the pub tonight we met Jill and partner from Mandurah. Both bowlers! I pigged out on the free bar snacks tonight...lovely spring rolls and samosas - definitely not on the diet list!    Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    Day 26

    Jabiru

    July 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    The landscape is changing as we travel through the Kakadu. Glimpses of water can be seen and flat stacks of pinkish stone line the roadside. We stayed at the Lodge CP, which must be the largest park I have ever seen. $30 for an unpowered site. We booked in for two days. At its centre is a great large pool, restaurant and bar.
    Once settled, we headed out to Cahill's Crossing. We timed it perfectly and arrived just before the tide changed. We counted at least 12 salt water Crocodiles waiting for the fish to swim over the Crossing. Magnificent beasts with the largest being at least 3 meters.
    We had happy hour with Walter and Silvia who were also camped near us again    Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    1
    Day 27

    Aboriginal Rock Art

    July 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    This morning we went up to a very informative Information Centre at Bowali...unusually several km outside of town. They had a nice little cafe, and a great arts and crafts shop. Ian almost bought a shirt, and I almost bought a T shirt! I did buy an organic mossie spray, and also the ingredients to make my own: Detol, rubbing alcohol and baby oil...boy does it smell! This afternoon we went to see the rock art at Nanguluwur.......that was excellent, filled with bus tour people though. There was a large burn off over the hill, so the sky was filled with smoke. A little frightening, but interesting too. The Aboriginal people understand the importance of burning off the undergrowth, creating a healthy forest. Kakadu is completely cleared in this way, every two years. Went for a quick swim in the pool tonight. Very cold. Walter and Silvia joined us.Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    Day 28

    Darwin

    July 24, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    We were later than usual getting to our Caravan park. When we arrived, we found we had booked a 12ft site, not great to fit an 18ft van! and because the show was on this weekend it was touch and go getting us somewhere else. We ended up in the 'Permanent' section...but for the same price. 9 nights for the price of 7. The guy next door has been here for 4 years, and he collects all the bottles, cans, and cartons. He reckons he makes about $50 a day. He collects them on his motorized esky with several carts behind. Like a little train!
    We struggled to get into this site...that alone took us 30 mins I'm sure! But we did it!    Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    Day 29

    Mindil Beach Sunset Market

    July 25, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    We went to the Aircraft history museum this morning. They had a B51 and an F1 11 on display among many other aircraft. Ian and I both bought T Shirts. A swim to cool down this afternoon was high on the list...and apart from the growing number of young children coming into the pool as well....it was very enjoyable.
    We caught up with Silvia and Walter again. This evening we all caught the bus to the infamous Mindle Market. The bus was late! However, a passing bus driver (not ours), phoned to check when he was coming, then waited until he could tell us. How was that for service! The market was mostly cooked food, although I did manage to get Stuart a Crocodile necklace..and then the sunset!!
    The bus home just didn't appear! Everyone else seemed to be catching the bus on the opposite side of the road. A tipsy elderly aboriginal man said we should get on the bus to the intersection then catch another bus home. And that's what we did! It took us almost 2 hours to get home, but we also experienced a dramatic last trip on our bus, with several aboriginal people arguing very loudly at the back. The driver called security, and two officers boarded....one from NI! The driver was again a credit to his profession. His parting comments "Welcome to Darwin"
    The fair is going full swing, and next door also kept going full swing for a long late night. White noise to the rescue!    Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    1
    1
    Day 30

    Friday night Fish and Chips

    July 26, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    We headed out to the Art and History Museum this morning. It was on the coast, and was a lovely way to spend some time. They had a lot of Information on Cyclone Tracey, which devastated the City back in the 70's. They also had a great display of old photographs. And a lot of samples of the insects/ reptiles/fish that will kill you up in the NT.
    Just as I was going to the pool, Silvia arrived. She had spent the last 2hours in there,waiting for me! Walter was asleep. We arranged to all go out to the Stokes Hill Warf for fish and chips.
    Ian had heard of a Calamari Schnitzel so That was what we all ordered...bar Silvia. Our main concern was that no one else seemed to be buying anything from this vendor. Next we spotted the ?owner, cook, going across to a very busy vendor opposite, with a plate looking for salad. What a laugh! However, the Schnitzel was excellent and for once, I left most of the chips. Back home the Show was still in full throttle.    Read more

  • TravelerRoad trip to Darwin
    1
    Day 31

    Last night at Darwin Show

    July 27, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Domestic duties this morning, then over to the pool to cool off. Silvia and Walter joined us later, and we went to watch the fireworks at the show...there was a guard on the gate but we all just waved as we went in..no charge! The show was much larger than we expected, and the fireworks were very good. Ian asked Walter over for a glass of red, and then we discovered that the Tour de France had only 30km to go! Silvia was a great fan! We sat around the open caravan door, and watch it to the end.Read more

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