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A couple of weeks exploring the sunny NT and a chance to escape our wintry weather.
Firstly a few days in Darwin then down to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) to spend 6 days hiking the Jatbula Trail then a few days in a hire camper. Read more
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  • Northern Territory, Australia
    Day 2

    Darwin

    July 9, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    First of all, we were very lucky to arrive in Darwin. Jetstar flew in crew from Melbourne, at the last minute, to get our plane off the ground🙏
    We loved staying at the 'old school' Cavenagh, with a pool right outside our door, live music every night, super friendly staff and everything within walking distance.
    We caught up with old friends going back to primary school days and bumped into friends from the Adelaide Hills. The locals were complaining about how cold it was but we were loving the sunshine and swimming every day.    Read more

  • Northern Territory, Australia
    Day 9

    Nitmiluk to Biddlecombe Cascades

    July 16, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Up early to grab our gear, park the motorhome and catch the boat across the Katherine Gorge to the head off the Jatbula Trail. The early morning light was beautiful as we walked through grassland and forest until we reached the spectacular Northern Rockhole. Here we sat at the edge of the water with sheer cliffs above and perfect reflections in the water however it was still a little early (and cool) for a swim. We then continued on to our campsite at Biddlecombe Cascades which was a peaceful bush setting where you could hear the water gushing through the ravine. We spent the entire afternoon soaking in various rock pools, reading in the shade and birdwatching (including a stunning kingfisher and bee-eater). We were treated to another vivid sunset as we sat perched on the boulders above the waterfall.Read more

  • Northern Territory, Australia
    Day 10

    Biddlecombe to Crystal Falls

    July 17, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We had a nice slow start, enjoying coffee with croissants for breakfast and we were the last to leave the campsite. We had just got going, when we came across a creek crossing so a quick shoe change was required. Much of the walk today was across open grassland and it was certainly warm in the full sun but we were definitely well rewarded when we arrived at camp. Crystal Falls provided us with deep swimming holes, cascading shallow falls, blooming Water Lillies and breath-taking scenery all around. Our tent was pitched just a couple of metres from the waters edge and the rest of the day was spent enjoying every minute of being in this perfect oasis.Read more

  • Northern Territory, Australia
    Day 11

    Crystal Falls to 17 Mile Falls

    July 18, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We had an exciting start to the day with a wide river crossing as we left camp but managed to get across unscathed. The highlight of today's walk was the Aboriginal rock art at the Amphitheatre - a cool, damp grotto with fascinating images painted on the rock face and butterflies all around us.
    We arrived at 17 Mile Falls and found a shady campsite right at the edge of a large deep swimming hole. Once again we spent the entire afternoon dipping in and out of the cool water and taking in the serene setting.    Read more

  • Northern Territory, Australia
    Day 12

    17 Mile Crossing to Sandy Camp Pool

    July 19, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Our day started with another creek crossing and some boggy mud but we managed to get across without mishap. Today was our biggest hiking day with almost double the distance of our previous days, so we got going at 7.30 rather than 8.30 (everyone else left before daylight). It was certainly hot (we think around 32 degrees) but we managed the walk well and still arrived in camp before 2pm. It was a beautiful campsite with lots of shade and sand around the large waterhole. Our tent was just a few feet from the waters edge and we had the choice of swimming in the deep cool waterhole or immersing ourselves in the natural rock plunge pool. When we first walked into camp it was such a lovely sight to see our fellow hikers all gathered around a natural stone 'table' under the shade of the trees in their swim shorts, sarongs and bandanas, laughing and chatting and snoozing - we really felt like we were in our own Survivor paradise!Read more

  • Northern Territory, Australia
    Day 13

    Sandy Camp Pool to Sweetwater Falls

    July 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We repeated our lovely routine of only crawling out of the tent as all our fellow campers packed up and walked out of the campsite. We made ourselves a few cups of coffee and watched the sun come up over the pools as it cast a vivid red light across the landscape. After we packed up our camping gear we returned to the perfect rock plunge pool to collect and filter water and decided it was just too good not to jump in for a morning dip whilst we had the whole place to ourselves. We then dried off by standing in the morning sun on the rocks - it really was a magical way to start the day. The walking was easy again and we still arrived at the next campsite by lunchtime. Unfortunately the site had recently been burnt out but thankfully we were still right on the edge of the water and that's where we stayed all afternoon. We loved every minute of swimming in the deep pool and letting the warmer water from the small falls, gush over our shoulders.Read more

  • Northern Territory, Australia
    Day 14

    Edith Falls Plunge Pool

    July 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We treated ourselves to a slow breakfast of pancakes (cooked on the Trangia) and coffees and once again we had the campsite to ourselves as everyone else left early. It was a very short walk today of under 5km to our final destination of Edith Falls. We stopped at the top falls and went straight in for a swim in our hiking shorts and shirts. We really had to recallibrate with so many day walkers at the falls - lots of pool noodles and screaming kids rather than the serenity we were accustomed to. As soon as we reached the cafe we scoffed a delicious egg and bacon muffin and a cold Coke ("The Black Doctor") ,quickly followed by a second one! On our mini-bus transfer back to Nitmiluk, we were joined by a group of excited girls scheduled to start the trail tomorrow and they were keen for trail tips ....watch those pesky crows who can unzip packs to steal your precious food!
    On our arrival at Nitmiluk it was straight to the deck to enjoy an icy cold beer and glass of bubbles.
    We returned to the deck at sunset to watch the sun go down over the gorge and feast on steak, truffle mash, vegetables and cold drinks.
    We would rate the Jatbula Trail very highly for the sense of isolation and wilderness, overall beauty and incredible swimming locations. We also felt like walking warriors, coming out completely unscathed without even a scratch or a blister (many of our fellow walkers limped over the finish line with their feet entirely covered in blister plasters).    Read more

  • Northern Territory, Australia
    Day 15

    Katherine and Nitmiluk by air

    July 22, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Rudi had organised an hour's helicopter flight over the Katherine Gorge and all along the Jatbula Trail that we had just completed.
    When we arrived for our midday flight, we were advised that the pilot and helicopter had been called to assist with the rescue of a person with a broken ankle and there would be a slight delay. An hour and half later they finally returned from their challenging rescue mission - man from Ghan Train, takes helicopter flight, trips over rock, stumbles off landing pad, falls over edge and luckily 'only' falls 5 metres onto a small ledge rather than to the bottom of the ravine. They managed to haul him up the steep edge on a stretcher and helicopter him back to a waiting ambulance - he had far more injuries than the original suspected broken ankle.
    So we were finally off and away and it really was an incredible experience. The chopper itself was so agricultural - apparently the technology for these workhorse machines has changed very little in the last 50 years. We were able to fly with the doors removed for the full adventure experience. The buffering of the wind was so strong on my arm that I was worried my 'tuck shop arm' skin would feel bruised and my hair basically ended up 'felted'. Once we settled in to the sensory overload we could take in the magical scenery below us. Katherine Gorge from above was spectacular and we flew over all 14 gorges. We saw feral donkeys that are not often seen and scrub cattle but no buffalo or pigs. We followed the entire Jatbula Trail and loved seeing our campsites and swimming areas from above - so often these sites were actually perched above huge waterfalls that we were not aware of. Once we touched back down we felt more worn out from the physical experience than our days of trekking!
    We loved chatting to the pilot afterwards and they said they don't often get to fly people over the trail who have completed it.
    We continued on our way in our fancy motorhome down to Bitter Springs and set up camp. We enjoyed a van-cooked meal of schnitzel and 3 veg then enjoyed the live country and blues music over at the bar.    Read more

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