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Bert’s Loop
  • Regina and Ian
  • Regina and Ian

Bert’s Loop

A 552-day adventure by Regina and Ian Read more
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  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    Doesnt matter what you have for breakie if you chose the location carefully. (Leichhardt Falls)
    Vaietnames Pancake with mushroom & bean sprouts (Katherine)Prawn and tomato omlet. Must use all leftovers. (A gravel pit on the Central Ahnem Road)Arancini Balls - just leftover Risotto really. (Mary Kathleen)Rosti (Gregory River)Fried Rice.Cauliflower Steaks -Dorrigo1Coffee - everywhereNothing in the fridge? Mexican - you beauty! (Boodjamulla)

    Bush Tucker

    July 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Essential to keep the adventures rolling.

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Carmen - the opera.

    July 28, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Lucky enough to align our second visit to Katherine with a tour by the Australian Opera.
    It was an outdoor performance without amplification.
    The music was great, the classic tunes were all there. The story is a bit tough and tragic - but it’s an opera - so it is supposed to be - right?
    The audience was enthusiastic and unaffected in their responses.
    My good friend Barb had seen the same show in Canberra a few months ago. Imagine the surprise of the cast when the temperature at curtain was 28°. The costumes including military regalia may not have been very comfortable.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Horse Whisperer

    July 30, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Had the most fantastic experience with Tom Curtain (Outback Experience) this morning. We had mixed expectations in our party. I was keen as, Ian was doubtful. We went out to Tom’s place and saw the way he works with unbroken horses and dogs with issues. It was brilliant. He never uses force. He uses a process called pressure and release. Stations here drop off brumbies for him to break in. It was amazing to watch them going through the process. We watched a girl get on a horse today that had only been handled by humans 3 times. She would only get on if the communication was going well. It really was incredible. At the end, Tom got on a horse he had only recently broken-in and rode him without a bridle and also without a halter. Stood on his back and sang a song. He is the horse whisperer!Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    After Sunrise on the Gorge
    Prepare for a paddleOn the GorgeDawnSunset

    Katherine Gorge

    August 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    The Nitmiluk National Park is so popular. There is a significant amount of infrastructure to allow visitors to experience the wonders of the park.

    We arrived last night and rocketed off onto a trail for a short sunset walk. Watch the sun dissapear beyond the escarpment from a lookout over the Gorge, then down onto the river where thousands of bats were taking off for their night time foraging.
    Today we squeezed in a 15k walk which included a SWIM at Butterfly Gorge, then back to camp for a quick lunch, then onto a big launch which took us to the adjoining gorge where we grabbed a canoe for a trip upstream and more swimming. Fantastic because it was up to 35° again today.
    Dinner and then board games tonight with some fellow campers.
    A morning of Bushwalking for Regina and mountain biking for Ian followed by an afternoon in the shade by the pool.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Ferguson River

    August 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    Camping off-grid again. After a spell of staying in “popular” places it is great to be out on our own again.
    It seems a long time since the Central Arnhem Road on Gove Peninsular .

    Wow.
    Just this second a Wedge Tailed Eagle flew overhead by metres with a critter in his claws being escorted by a second Wedgie.
    You don’t see that every day.
    I think I can hear them back at the nest, although I can’t see it.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    Kakadu Kamping
    Majuk Plunge PoolKakadu sunsetIs Regina using the universal signal for "Help! Come and get me!"

    Kakadu Kamping

    August 4, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    We had two stays at Katherine of a few days each so it feels like there was a pause the in our progress.
    Maguk Campground will launch the next part of our adventure. This is the first of up to 5 Kakadu camps before Darwin and the Darwin Festival.
    Maguk is a National Park site with “light touch” management. Pretty basic but a good spot. Just about to head out for a swim in the plunge pool. Then dinner.
    Is there a theme forming?
    - Morning treck through the outback (sometimes no travel)
    - have some fun.
    - eat like Royalty
    - stargaze / board games / planning future fun
    - sleep until not tired.
    - repeat.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    South alligator River - amazing - just two months ago this was a torrent with big crocs.
    2Motor Car Creek Falls - very deep.

    Yurmikmik

    August 5, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Today the temp was down a bit at 31° so we headed off to do some walks without a care for a swimming option. First up was South Alligator river where the signs say, ”Really big Crocs. Salty Crocs. Lots of Crocs. Hungry Crocs”. There wasn’t a lot of water but unsurprisingly we were not inclined to swim.
    Then onto Gungurul Lookout for views to various escarpments and swamps.
    Searching the map for walking trails we came across Yurmikmik, with reportedly beautiful wet season walking, so we were not expecting too much from the falls on the trail. Imagine our surprise and delight when we found Motor Car Creek Falls.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Cooinda

    August 6, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Big fancy Caravan Park. Big fancy swimming pool. Big reception, bar and cafe. We enjoyed the pool, but we only really came here to use the power and run the washing machine on full speed.
    Lovely place, but not the things of memories. Looks like we didn’t even take a photo.Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Jim Jim Falls

    August 7, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    First encounter

    Barrk Sandstone Walk

    August 10, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    This walks covers the high ground of Burrunggui and the lowlands of Anbangang. It’s just over 12k and the warnings about the difficulty and risks had me doing a bit of a double take. Turns out is was a doddle (?). We completed the walk in 5.5 hours despite recommendations to allow 6-8 hours. We took plenty of water but afterward we still drank a bucked of water each during the afternoon.
    It was excellent.
    The terrain was incredibly diverse. The views spectacular, there were two world renowned rock art sites along the way, a welcomed breeze blew all day even if it was a hot dry one.
    The track was as tricky as promised (in parts). There was a lot of bolder hoping were the track is invisible without the little triangles affixed here and there. The warning is that if you can’t see the next trail marker DO NOT PROCEED. We did not see another soul all day so good thing we didn’t get lost.
    Obviously we survived.
    Amazing that while we were so enamoured with the walking experience,we saw nobody, while at other features at the end of a bitumen road and a paved walking track we can see dozens of people.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    2

    Anbangbang Billabong

    August 10, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    What’s the first thing you do after a mountainous 12k bushwalk? Naturally we warm down with a 3k flat walk to watch birdlife.
    It was so worth it.
    We saw some Egret involved in either a mating dance or territorial dispute, and a hunting Jabiru - incredible.

    The next morning we rode our bikes back to the same billabong for a guided tour with some indigenous park rangers. The highlights in this trip were spotting a pair of Forrest Kingfisher attacking a termite nest high in a Melaluca tree. The Jabiru back and successful in catching a big Long Tom and the ensuing fight to get it down his gullet (not sure about sexing a Jabiru from a distance - he would have a black eye - she would have yellow). There was also a nesting Honeyeater on watch near a native bee sugarbag.
    No crocs spotted, although there are some enormous residents salties.
    Of course there are bloody feral pigs at the Billabong ripping up the grasses. The last aerial cull was 2 years ago. This place deserves better care.

    The process of putting ourselves on the outside of a couple of schooners at the Golf Club might be a highlight of our short lives so far.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Ubirr

    August 11, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    Jaw droppingest vista in Kakadu so far. Also a great story in that land management practices are actually repairing large areas by the removal of feral weeds and animals. Across the Nabatean floodplain native species are returning in big numbers and the water flow and retention is improving.
    We joined a guided tour sponsored by National Parks and lead by a indigenous guide Natasha Nadji (granddaughter of Bill Nadji, Kakadu Man and the last Gaagudju speaker. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bill_Neidjie Fascinating, and she was very open and sharing of her personal story.
    There are so many art works here. Some ancient; some in the period to 6,000 years ago, and some since European arrival. Beautiful.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    Big. Hungry. Nasty. Very close.
    Check the Jabiru perched atop the spire.

    Cahills Crossing

    August 12, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    We were so enamoured last night with Ubirr and surrounds that we thought we would come out here again today to do some walks.
    We found a loop on the map and another treat was unveiled. Following East Alligator river, we slogged along on sandy tracks for a few k’s while spotting a handful of big Salty Crocs before we turned away and meandered through some unexpected sandstone outcrops (outliers from the main escarpment) and followed the mostly empty Catfish Creek. Here the walking became really interesting. Ahead we spot wide stretches of Water Chestnuts where Badbong Wodjmeng Billabong still holds plenty of water. With water comes birdlife, so this is a good spot for smoko.
    With creaky joints we restart the return trip via Cahills Crossing where we arrive on the change of tide. This is significant as a spectacle of moving water and the feeding habits of Crocs.
    At 13:00 the tide will run in. The Crocs know this and about 10 crocs line up in pecking order by size at the causeway waiting for the fish to slide across the causeway. Amazing. Scary.
    Moments before the allocated time cars were still crossing into Arhnem Land from Kakadu but the changing tidal direction brings a cascade and nobody will enter the water with all those snapping handbags waiting for an error.
    For a change of pace we head to the Injalak Arts Centre. Some nice pieces here but the ice creams were the hot sale items
    Marrawudi Art Centre back in Jabiru has much better quality work and amazing to realise, the first quality coffee since Booraloola. My god. That’s 2,400k ago on 7 July.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    1

    Jabiru

    August 12, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    James and his mum Elizabeth befriended us and wanted to make sure we felt welcomed in their country. James speaks 5 languages and his mum 4. I asked Elizabeth why James knows one more language and she said it’s because he learnt it from his Grandfather on the other side and loves talking too much. Makes you feel a bit dopey only knowing one...Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    1

    Couzens Lookout

    August 13, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Last nights camp site had a swimming pool (used it). A Bistro (didn’t use it). A bar (well yes we used it - but it was a very hot night). 100’s of campers.
    Tonight we have this amazing outlook. Six other campers spread over a goodly area. Crocs in the Mary River. Dingoes and Agile Wallaby aplenty. Water Buffalo in the distance.
    We love it. (despite the mozzies).    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Darwin - Lockdown

    August 16, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    From midday Monday. Initial estimate is it will run until Thursday.

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Darwin - Post Lockdown.

    August 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Everyone behaved in lockdown, so we were let out on time.
    We didn’t get to do our scheduled task and activities so we have extended our stay.
    Humidity is up, and that is something we haven’t felt for a long time, so we try to get the active stuff done early, and plan a Happy Hour in an appropriate place and time.
    The Pulse was rescheduled from Tuesday to post lockdown Friday so here we go. https://www.darwinfestival.org.au/wp-content/up…    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    Riding with the NT Hard hat (Akubra)
    Darwin waterfront Precinct. A fun relaxed place right beside the city.Darwin Festival. If you know me (Ian) you will know how much i loved these bamboo constructions.Botanical GardensBotanical Gardens. A great way to spend an afternoon.

    Around Darwin

    August 23, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Parking. Let’s talk about the parking.
    So we are going to a Darwin Festival gig at the Darwin Entertainment Centre. Google says we will arrive in 200 meters - and there believe it or not - is a parking spot - immediately across the road. 30 meters to the foot of the venue. No problem parking everywhere or at any time. Even less hassle where we go there on out bikes. The destination is rarely a hassle on a bicycle, but there are not many towns around that are so well provisioned for bicycles. Seemingly there is a bicycle path going somewhere where you need it and beautifully surfaced as well. Where it hasn’t been possible to build dedicated facilities, the city of not too precious to allow bikes in the footpaths and make them safe.
    Better mention the Orange Peril. They are actually called Neuron. Electric scooters with 20 somethings dashing here and there. One-up or two-up they are just too much fun and you can pick them up all over the city. The e-bikes seem less popular, but they are rattling all around the town as well.

    Surprising to see how much of Darwin is still a working city. The harbour precinct in particular. Other capitals have “cleaned up” those areas long ago.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Primo Real Estate

    August 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Ask anyone. Where is the most expensive real estate in Darwin? Fannie Bay.
    And why not. Sunset over water for ever. Parklands. Cycling tracks. Beautiful young things strutting their stuff for their evening constitutionals.
    Not far from Mindel Beach (home of the famous Markets), and the Darwin Ski Club for a nice Draught beer.
    Really nice spot to take some home made Sushi and FaceTime a friend at home who is locked-down in 8° with wind and rain.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler

    Rain

    August 24, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Surprise.

    Almost forgot what that feels like. Apart from a massive, freak downpour in Mount Isa, we haven’t seen any rain since we were in the tropical rainforest region of Cairns in late May (where you expect it).Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    Another pretty critter that joined me for coffee.

    Robin Falls

    August 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    We have completed all the jobs that needed doing in Darwin plus some, and we have now escaped into the Litchfield National Park. We are on George Creek near Robin Falls which is on the perimeter of the Park. This is a lovely free camp site and will be home for three nights or so and a base for Litchfield adventures.

    Just as I am about to have coffee a Forrest Kingfisher flew onto a nearby branch to see what we are up too. So beautiful. Then along comes cousin - Azure. Did you know Kingfishers are very bad walkers because of the design of their feet? They can however hold a perch like a champion.

    Robin Falls is drying up a bit as we progress into The Dry. That is OK with us because the creek is still moving and the falls offer a refreshing gentle shower in the shade of a big overhang.    Read more

  • Regina and IanBert’s LoopTraveler
    Zebra Stone. What is mother nature up too?
    Replica of Karlstejn Castle near Pargue. Located in Batchelor NT. Not well known for its castles.Florence FallsCathedral Termite mounds. This one 5.2m tall.1Buleys Rockhole

    Litchfield NP

    August 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    It is going to take a few days to get around this park even though it is not that big in comparison to others.

    Day 1 took us to the Tidy Town of Batchelor. They are resting on their laurels here because they earned that gong in 2001. Anyway, Don’t know the demographic of Batchelor but a Czech expat who lived in the town built a replica of a Bohemian Castle here on a conveniently placed mini-mount (because the big pile of rocks in the town park was too big to remove and too hard to keep tidy.

    Out of town - you just have to stop when a place is called Zebra Rock - don’t ya? Glad we did. A geologic enigma. Rock with bubbles off ferric material that arrange themselves in a pattern. Really weird right? Beautiful! Rare as! The owners have several mining leases so they can prevent over-mining of the stuff. A small amount comes out to make jewellery and display pieces and for research. The owner Kimberley, is a Crocodile Dundee character who wrassles Bulls bare chested and digs mines. Ruth is Kim’s customer facing partner and is so passionate about sharing this geological marvel with the world. The lease locations are a secret but the closest is 180k and the most distant 500k away.

    There are a lot of big termite mounds up here. Magnetic Termites (little blind critters who are endemic to this area only) make their mounds align north/south to achieve optimal thermal properties. Cathedral Termites measuring 5mm long just make ‘em big.

    After all that learning, we needed to get physical, so a bush walk between Buleys Rockhole and Florence Falls with some swims along the way. You know the water is clear when you can see the bottom but can’t guess how deep it is. And can’t dive to the bottom.    Read more

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