2024 The Lap

A 245-day adventure by Cathy & Graham Read more

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2024 The Lap
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Day 109–113
July 31, 2024 at 4:28 PM - August 4, 2024
4 nights
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 31 m
Australia Vesteys Beach -12.429533, 130.83632512°25’46” S 130°50’11” E
1
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
Traveler What a pretty sunset
8/2/24Reply
TravelerWe loved our stay in Darwin, sunset cruse was delightful 😊
8/7/24Reply
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Day 112–113
August 3, 2024 at 1:06 PM - August 4, 2024
1 night
⛅ 31 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Australia Vesteys Beach -12.429208, 130.83536112°25’45” S 130°50’7” E
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
TravelerCan see you out there Graham. A fun day but what did you do Cathy ???
8/9/24Reply
TravelerWhich number is your boat ?
8/9/24Reply
TravelerWhat the!
8/12/24Reply
TravelerThat sounds so fun!!! ⛵ I love it when you spontaneously get to participate in local life
8/16/24Reply
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Day 114–116
August 5, 2024 at 1:06 PM - August 7, 2024
2 nights
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 115 m
Australia Florence Falls -13.097527, 130.7854313°5’51” S 130°47’8” E
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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
TravelerBeautiful ❤️
8/7/24Reply
Traveler Great seeing you folks again!
8/8/24Reply
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Day 116–118
August 7, 2024 at 6:11 PM - August 9, 2024
2 nights
☀️ 32 °C
Altitude: 31 m
Australia Wangi Falls -13.163369, 130.68390613°9’48” S 130°41’2” E
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3 2 3
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
Traveler Great shot
8/8/24Reply
Traveler 🩵
8/8/24Reply
Traveler A very brave lizard
8/8/24Reply
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Day 119–120
August 10, 2024 at 11:08 AM - August 11, 2024
1 night
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 114 m
Australia Coomalie -13.405965, 130.78752313°24’21” S 130°47’15” E
1 1 4
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
Traveler Is that a diver?
8/12/24Reply
TravelerYep, that's Graham
8/13/24Reply
Traveler Love the reflections
8/12/24Reply
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Day 120–121
August 11, 2024 at 2:46 PM - August 12, 2024
1 night
☀️ 32 °C
Altitude: 207 m
Australia Heritage Park -13.821052, 131.83499313°49’16” S 131°50’6” E
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
Ann FulhamIt's a bird's paradise 🦜
8/13/24Reply
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Day 121–122
August 12, 2024 at 5:16 PM - August 13, 2024
1 night
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 59 m
Australia West Arnhem -13.303364, 132.43002813°18’12” S 132°25’48” E
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1 1 1 1
Kakadu NP - Maguk
Aug 12–13, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
I'm so glad we came back to see Maguk. Both the walk and the waterhole were beautiful. We even went for an early morning swim before leaving the area. On the way out of Kakadu, we were treated to some wildlife - dingoes and buffalo.Read more
Ann Fulham Gorgeous 😍
8/13/24Reply
Traveler A Team
8/13/24Reply
Traveler Such a good shot
8/16/24Reply
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Day 123–124
August 14, 2024 at 11:47 AM - August 15, 2024
1 night
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 105 m
Australia Ryan Park -14.466049, 132.2638614°27’58” S 132°15’50” E
1
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.
Traveler ❤️
8/17/24Reply
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Day 125
Friday, August 16, 2024 at 1:46 PM
☀️ 33 °C
Altitude: 86 m
Australia Victoria-Daly -15.981927, 129.00022115°58’55” S 129°0’1” E
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1
Goodbye NT, Hello WA
August 16, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Traveler Once you finish your books will be amazing. And expensive. Ours were $570 for 2 x over 200 pages for our three month trip. BUT SO WORTH IT.
8/17/24Reply
TravelerI agree 💯%
8/17/24Reply
Traveler 👋👋
8/18/24Reply
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Day 125–128
August 16, 2024 at 5:00 PM - August 19, 2024
3 nights
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 167 m
Australia Lake Argyle Tourist Village -16.112825, 128.74173116°6’46” S 128°44’30” E
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Lake Argyle Resort
Aug 16–19, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Traveler Long-tailed finch 😍
8/21/24Reply
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Day 126–128
August 17, 2024 at 3:30 PM - August 19, 2024
2 nights
☀️ 32 °C
Altitude: 161 m
Australia Lake Argyle Tourist Village -16.113112, 128.74156116°6’47” S 128°44’30” E
1 1
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
Traveler Perfect.
8/17/24Reply
Traveler Crocodile 🐊 well fed
8/18/24Reply
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Day 127
Sunday, August 18, 2024 at 12:16 PM
☀️ 31 °C
Altitude: 157 m
Australia Lake Argyle -16.117903, 128.73824216°7’4” S 128°44’18” E
Lake Argyle Dam
August 18, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
TravelerThats huge
8/21/24Reply
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Day 127–130
August 18, 2024 at 6:49 PM - August 21, 2024
3 nights
🌙 27 °C
Altitude: 92 m
Australia Kellys Knob -15.762167, 128.75064215°45’44” S 128°45’2” E
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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
Ann Fulham Lovely ❤️
8/29/24Reply
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Day 129
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 7:14 PM
🌙 29 °C
Altitude: 31 m
Australia Victoria-Daly -15.689533, 128.68821915°41’22” S 128°41’18” E
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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
Traveler Cuteee black kitw
8/22/24Reply
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Day 130–131
August 21, 2024 at 7:57 AM - August 22, 2024
1 night
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 111 m
Australia Wyndham-East Kimberley -15.66256, 128.60285715°39’45” S 128°36’10” E
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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
Traveler‘Challenging’ is a bit of an understatement !!! Plus Graham then sends you rock climbing Cathy !!!
8/21/24Reply
Traveler Beautiful xx
8/21/24Reply
Traveler Hey. That’s a no wake zone.
8/21/24Reply
TravelerNo, you had to be awake to stay in line with the path
8/21/24Reply
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Day 130–134
August 21, 2024 at 3:10 PM - August 25, 2024
4 nights
☀️ 34 °C
Altitude: 91 m
Australia Wyndham-East Kimberley -16.005257, 127.97929216°0’19” S 127°58’45” E
1 2
El Questro Station
Aug 21–25, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Traveler Wow
8/26/24Reply
Traveler That is gorgeous.
8/30/24Reply
Traveler Postcard.
8/30/24Reply
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Day 131
Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 294 m
Australia Wyndham-East Kimberley -16.025833, 128.03614216°1’33” S 128°2’10” E
El Questro - EQ Gorge Walk
August 22, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Buggered tonight! Today, we did 7.5 km of rock hopping and climbing through palms and ferny escarpments up to MacMicking Pool.
TravelerMad if you don't!
8/25/24Reply
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Day 132
Friday, August 23, 2024 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 36 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Wyndham-East Kimberley -15.796395, 127.87970315°47’47” S 127°52’47” E
1 1
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
Traveler Go left over the crossing free camp and barra fishing
8/24/24Reply
Traveler Wow
8/25/24Reply
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Day 133
Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 9:18 AM
☀️ 32 °C
Altitude: 133 m
Australia Wyndham-East Kimberley -15.980708, 128.03315815°58’51” S 128°1’59” E
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El Questro - Amalia Gorge
August 24, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
TravelerWow!
8/24/24Reply
Traveler Beautiful colours
8/25/24Reply
TravelerNo idea of the bird ! Sorry. I don't have my book with me
8/25/24Reply
Traveler I think you're right I'm breeding season the adults head and front is black
8/25/24Reply
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Day 134
Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 11:13 AM
☀️ 36 °C
Altitude: 219 m
Australia Wyndham-East Kimberley -15.895617, 128.13304715°53’44” S 128°7’59” E
1 1
El Questro - Emma Gorge
August 25, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C
Traveler So pretty
8/26/24Reply
Traveler 💕
8/26/24Reply
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Day 134–135
August 25, 2024 at 7:36 PM - August 26, 2024
1 night
🌙 28 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Australia Pivot Hill -15.597389, 128.27916115°35’51” S 128°16’45” E
1 1
Parry Lagoons Nature Reserve
Aug 25–26, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
Traveler ❤️
8/26/24Reply
Traveler 😱
8/26/24Reply
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Day 135
Monday, August 26, 2024 at 8:45 AM
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 298 m
Australia West Bastion -15.450583, 128.11897515°27’2” S 128°7’8” E
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Wyndham - Five Rivers Lookout
August 26, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Traveler Wow
8/30/24Reply
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Day 137–138
August 28, 2024 at 8:36 PM - August 29, 2024
1 night
🌙 26 °C
Altitude: 319 m
Australia Halls Creek -17.321864, 128.41401917°19’19” S 128°24’50” E
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Purnululu NP - Echindna Chasm
Aug 28–29, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 26 °C
Traveler Great photo! Love the light and the scale.
8/31/24Reply
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Day 138–139
August 29, 2024 at 3:53 PM - August 30, 2024
1 night
☀️ 35 °C
Altitude: 380 m
Australia Halls Creek -17.480603, 128.3729517°28’50” S 128°22’23” E
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1
Purnululu NP - The Domes
Aug 29–30, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
Traveler Amazing and beautiful photos
8/31/24Reply
Traveler Wow!
9/1/24Reply
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Day 141
Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 11:59 AM
☀️ 36 °C
Altitude: 177 m
Australia Tunnel Bore -17.607989, 125.14606717°36’29” S 125°8’46” E
1 1
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
Traveler The artists were a little taller than you Graham
9/2/24Reply
Traveler Spooky
9/3/24Reply
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