DARWIN & KAKADU TO PINE CREEK 17 - 27/8

DARWIN & KAKADU TO PINE CREEK 17/8-27/8/21
After waiting out our three day Darwin area lockdown at our camp at Holtze in very hot and humid conditions (thank heavens for our air-conditioner in the van) we were preparing to make a trip to the local supermarket for supplies when we noticed a lot of smoke around the area. We then noticed flames and fire racing through grassland at the back of the house on the property. It moved very quickly and came within about 30 metres of the house and we had the van prepared to hook up and move out but fortunately a number of fire appliances arrived and began to control the bushfire. There were also two helicopters and a fire-bombing plane at work. It was a bit too close for comfort!! Fires continued to burn in various areas during our stay in Darwin. We spent another three days exploring Darwin visiting various sites including the WWII oil storage tunnels, Stokes Hill Wharf and RFDS information centre, the Military Museum, the Museum and Art Gallery of N.T. and the Cullen Bay marina area. Unfortunately we weren’t able to visit the Mindle Beach Markets as they were closed due to the recent Covid lockdown. After enjoying our days in Darwin we headed off towards Kakadu, past Humpty Doo to the Adelaide River where we had booked a river cruise. This was the jumping crocodile cruise which I don’t really agree is a great idea but I must admit it was interesting to see such huge reptiles in such close proximity. The guide on the boat also pointed out many other interesting facts about the river environment and at one point there were lots of whistling kites flying overhead. After disembarking we continued our drive along the Arnhem Highway to the Bark Hut caravan park where we set up for the night and enjoyed a swim in their pool to cool off. The next day we drove on, crossing many rivers including the McKinley, Mary, Wildman, West Alligator and South Alligator and arrived at the Kakadu Lodge caravan park in Jabiru and after settling on our site we again hit the pool for a swim. The daytime temperatures have been mostly in the high 30’s and nights in the mid 20’s with high humidity throughout. During our time in Jabiru we made a couple of day trips. First was to Cooinda where we went on a Yellow Waters boat cruise on the billabong and East Alligator River which we found very interesting. Unlike the jumping crocodile cruise, this guide took us within metres of many big saltwater crocodiles which weren’t disturbed by the boat at all. We saw lots of birdlife including Jabirus, Egrets, Kingfishers, different types of ducks and a sea eagle. After a very enjoyable cruise and lunch at the Cooinda Lodge we returned to Jabiru. On another day we drove to Ubirr and walked around the various Aboriginal rock art sites, some dating back 5,000 years or more. We climbed to the lookout nearby where we had 360 degree views across Arnhemland’s very flat and green floodplains, and in the opposite direction to Kakadu”s rugged, rocky mountain ranges. We drove on to nearby Cahills Crossing where we waited to watch the daily spectacle of crocodiles waiting for the incoming tide to bring the barramundi and other fish over the causeway. We counted at least 20 big crocs in the river, some waiting with mouths open in readiness. A couple of vehicles with very brave occupants even drove across the causeway at the highest point of the tide with water rushing across, half a metre deep! After an interesting time at Jabiru we drove out along the Kakadu Highway to Pine Creek where we stayed at the Lazy Lizard caravan park for the night. The amenities at this site were quite unique with solid timber doors and benches and cut down beer kegs for wash basins and cisterns. We enjoyed dinner at the onsite hotel with its carved timber poles and timber slab tables and chairs. It had plenty of character!Read more