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2024 The Lap
  • Cathy Pendergrast
  • Graham Pendergrast
  • Cathy Pendergrast
  • Graham Pendergrast

2024 The Lap

A 245-day adventure by Cathy & Graham Read more
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  • 2024 The Lap
    Darwin Sailing Club
    Bark Hutt InnDarwin Botanic GardensExercise Pitch Black - RAAFDarwin Sailing Club1

    Darwin

    Jul 31–Aug 4, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We left Kakadu after a lovely stay at the Aurora Caravan Park (powered site and a great pool). We stopped for coffee and saw buffalo at Bark Hutt Inn, passed some huge termite mounds and after grocery shopping, overnighted at Strangy's Place. The next day was spent in Darwin. At the time, Darwin was holding the defence exercises, `Pitch Black`. This was a joint France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States and Australia exercise. We saw a large convoy of military vehicles and saw fighter jets in the sky's throughout our stay.
    We walked the Botanic Gardens, Waterfront Precinct, and Mindil Markets before spending late afternoon and evening at the Darwin Sailing Club (thanks to a recommendation from Robyn).    Read more

  • 2024 The Lap

    Darwin Sailing

    Aug 3–4, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    As we planned on being in Darwin on the weekend, we checked in with the sailing club to see if there might be any opportunities to help for the day. Graham offered his services but was asked if he would like to skipper an Elliott 7 keelboat for some match racing. The result was Graham steering a boat for a 2 day match racing competition. Having never competed in match racing before he enjoyed some close quarters racing and finished the weekend in third out of four teams. Good fun and a very friendly group.Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
    Bluey Rockholes
    Florence FallsFlorence Falls1Magnetic Termite MoundCathedral Termite Mound

    Litchfield NP - Florence Falls

    Aug 5–7, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Termite mounds were the first stop on entering Litchfield. This area demonstrates 2 different types, Cathedral mounds that reach 5 metres high and Magnetic mounds that are narrow edges facing North/South and broad faces East/West (always allows a cooler side to retreat to).
    From here we stopped at Bluey Rockholes for a cool and relaxing soak.
    At our Florence Falls campground, we once again met up with Doug and Denise who we originally met in Eugella for a swim in the Florence pool and an enjoyable evening catching up on our travels.    Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
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    32Mertans Water Monitor3

    Litchfield NP - Wangi Falls

    Aug 7–9, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    We left Florence Falls and continued West on the bitumen stopping at Tolmer Falls. This area has significance for its bat colonies and has a viewing platform looking over the expanse of Litchfield.
    Our next stop was Wangi Falls. This place was busy throughout the day with lots of day visitors and tour groups. It even had a small cafe!
    We went for an investigative walk up to the lookout through monsoon forrest. The resident flying fox colony was very noisy and we enjoyed the short walk before spending the rest of the day (and the next) swimming and relaxing.    Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
    Robin Falls11Surprise Creek Falls and Plunge Pools4

    Litchfield NP - Surprise Creek Falls

    Aug 10–11, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Initially, we had planned to take the Reynold Creek Track south through Litchfield, but the first river crossing was at 600mm, meaning that we would risk water coming through our doors - not something we wanted to risk. We decided to forgo our campsite booking at Sandy Creek and take the long way around to Surprise Creek Falls. We stopped overnight in a powered site at Adelaide River Inn. We had a lovely meal, swam, and enjoyed some air conditioning overnight before driving to Robin Falls on the way to Surprise Creek Falls.
    Getting to Surprise Creek Falls required a short trip off-road with a few water crossings. Our number plate managed to stay on this time.    Read more

  • 2024 The Lap

    Lazy 🦎 @ Pine Creek

    Aug 11–12, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    After leaving Surprise Creek Falls, we had planned to head to a campsite near Daly Waters, but we found out it was closed for the rest of this season.
    It was still too early to head towards Katherine so we looked to see if Maguk had opened. When we first entered Kakadu, this waterhole was closed as there had been damage to the roads during the wet season. When we googled, we found it had opened a few days earlier. This was a bit far to go in one day so we stopped again at the Lazy Lizard. Graham managed to get a look around the car museum on-site there.Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
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    Katherine

    Aug 14–15, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We returned to Katherine for our car service. We stayed at the Riverview Tourist Village, which happened to be close to Katherine Hot Springs.

  • 2024 The Lap
    1Short-eared Rock WalabyFresh water crocodile 🐊1Australasian DarterArcher fish

    Lake Argyle Cruising

    Aug 17–19, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    We organised a sunset cruise through Lake Argyle Cruises. Claire was a fantastic guide, and we spent four hours learning about the dam's creation and the wildlife found there. We then enjoyed nibbles and champagne whilst watching the sunset on the water.

    Being out on the water was so enjoyable that we hired a Tinny the next morning. The drone gave us some fantastic shots.    Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
    1Blue Argus ButterflySacred Kingfisher

    Kununurra - Mirima National Park

    Aug 18–21, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    In Kununurra, we stayed at the Hidden Valley Caravan Park, from which you can walk directly into Mirima National Park. This area was like a mini Lost City with amazing eroded rock formations. The weather here has started to heat up, with maximum temperatures around 35 degrees, so we walked this area early in the morning.
    While at Kununurra, we took the opportunity to grocery shop and look around the galleries on the main street. The Artlandish Aboriginal Art Gallery displayed some amazing Indigenous paintings.    Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
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    The Ivanhoe Crossing

    August 20, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 29 °C

    The Ord River's Ivanhoe Crossing is one of several iconic river crossings. Unfortunately, the flow is too high right now, and the road is closed, but that didn't stop us from getting some amazing photos!
    On the way home, we visited Ord Metal Art and Kimberly Ornamental Stone Art both of which produced some fantastic pieces - alas, we have no space to store souvenirs (or spare money to pay for them).    Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
    1131

    Spring Creek

    Aug 21–22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    This was a day excursion from Kununurra that ended up as an overnight stay. We drove along Valentine Spring Road to check out Black Rock Spring and have a look if we could make it to Spring Creek Falls. Reviews for Spring Creek falls suggested it might be difficult with a number of water crossings. An hour (to cover 10 km) and twelve water crossings later, we arrived at beautiful pools and falls that made the trek worthwhile. We had planned to return to Kununurra, but the lure of soft light for photography and not wanting to get stuck somewhere on the way back close to dusk had us free camping there for the night and enjoying a morning swim before returning.Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
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    Zebedee Springs & Pentecost Crossing

    August 23, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    After yesterday's trek, Graham and I felt a little body weary. We had a slow breakfast before deciding to visit Zebedee Springs. This destination was only an easy 10-minute walk from the car park through Livistona Palms to some thermal pools. This is usually a bustling spot, so we were ready to find it crowded, but luckily for us, many groups were departing, leaving the springs relatively quiet. Much to Graham's disgust, the pools were warm—we think about 32 degrees—so not refreshing. I, on the other hand, found a secluded comfortable spot and spent the next hour relaxing to the sound of birds and gurgling water.

    The Pentecost River Crossing was next on our list of places to visit today. This is another iconic water crossing located at the eastern end of the Gibb River Road and has a great view of the Cockburn Ranges.    Read more

  • 2024 The Lap
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    Walardi NP - Tunnel Creek

    September 1, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    We've spent the last couple of nights enjoying a powered site at Fitzroy Crossing. The temperature has been hitting at least 40 degrees every day over the last week. This has prompted us to review our plans somewhat. I've been rearranging bookings whilst Graham has been editing photos.
    Today we've begun an overnight trip off bitumen to a couple of sites before heading to the WA coast for some sea breeze relief.

    The first site was Tunnel Creek, and it was a bit of an adventure: You climb down through a cave entrance into knee-deep water and an underground cavern to walk, wade, or swim along the creek, viewing the cave formations and fauna (bats, freshwater crocodiles and fish). At the end of the cave, there is a short track to view some indigenous artwork.    Read more

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