Kingfisher Travels

  It looks as though we are able to coordinate enough leave to start planning for our next adventure.   Kimberley 2012 Current draft plan would see us leave Saturday 9th June 2012 and arrive back around 21st July.                               I am also using this and the next few blogs to test out new software for editing and uploading these Blogs.

Our last day up here, had a relaxing day.  Fed the fish this morning. Then marvelled at the boats at the marina for lunch.  And sat at the waterfront for the afternoon, relaxing and reading. Tomorrow we are off home so this will be the last travel update until next trip?? The travel blog seems to be easy to do so we might do more of these on big trips in the future. See you all next time....... Glenn & Tracey I hope we can bring the weather back with us..

Well today we visited Territory Wildlife Park, nice place.  Probably had less there than I was expecting but what they had was very well setup and displayed.  We enjoyed our time.   Later in the day we went to hop on our Sunset Cruise over Darwin harbour.  This was fantastic, the sun setting had a few clouds in the distance so the actual sunset was not as spectacular as yesterday but being out on the boat enjoying the breeze and meals was great. Tracey took some photos (suprise, suprise). Another lovely day. Tomorrow, not sure what we will do - no plan yet!

Relaxing day again today, morning spent at the beach... afternoon spent reading and relaxing at our apartment. Evening spent at Mindil Beach Sunset Market, plenty of stalls over half of which were foods stalls... plenty to chose from but after my Mum's effort eating at these markets a year or so ago (spent a night or 2 in hospital) Tracey wasn't keen to try anything.  So off to "Seafoord on Cullen" for a seafood buffet. As Tracey has been saying it is great to go anywhere at anytime and not have to worry about wearing or even taking a jumper.  Weather has been fantastic. Well off to Territory Wildlife Park tomorrow and our Sunset cruise tomorrow night. Trying to have a relaxing and great time but we are looking forward to getting home as well. Talk tomorrow...possibly.

Today we had to swap out motorhome for a hire car and apartment at Parmerston.  We headed over to the coastline over looking the water and Darwin CBD in the background and spent some time packing up our motorhome.  After lunch we moved into our apartment, home for the next 4 days, then dropped off our motorhome and picked up a Hyundai I45 car. But in the process we thought we would show Ash what the traffic controllers look like up here.. one of these at each end of the works... Not much else done today.  No plans yet for the next few days except Mindil markets tomorrow night and a Darwin Sunset cruise on Friday night. Let you know how it all goes later.

Relaxed morning, got away about 9:30am into the Litchfield National Park.  First stop Florence Falls.. Where I chose to brave the freezing waters of Litchfield NP just to provide a photo oppurtunity. Next onto Tolmer Falls..  Great view but this area preserved as a natural habitat and thus no access. Next stop Wangi Falls, reported as the pick of Litchfield National Park.  And it looks spectacular, all set up for swimming access and large crowds.  Would have been great for a dip, even Tracey said she would have gone in here... But the Rangers have not cleared it for swimming after the wet season, apparently they survey where all the Saltwater crocodiles are and are not and open areas when they can. Then lunch at the local cafe deep inside the Park, a burger and milkshake each (setting us back $46). Decided not to stay in the park due no mobile coverage, still a little concerned about Tracey's parents and Kyle at home.  So we headed out of the...

Leaving Nitmiluk Katherine Gorge National Park this morning, with a short stop for a helicopter flight across the 13 gorges .   Absolutely great, a very different perspective from the air.   This photo below shows a rock that during the last flooding wet season was barely visible above the level of the water.   Coming back in the wet season and having a look at the amount of water is on our bucket list now. After our gorge flight, back on the road towards Litchfield National Park, with a small detour to Douglas Hot Springs (near Hayes Creek).   This was a nice spot although quite washed away.. 60 degree hot springs coming out of the ground then mixes with the normal cool river flow, with some moving around you can find a nice comfortable spot in the river.   Although off the normal tourist itinerary there are still quite a few 4wd’s camping in the area. After our dip in the ‘hot’ river on to Litchfield Tourist Park on the edge of the Nationa...

Today not much to report as we did very little...  lets call it a rest day. Nice way to relax! Oh.. Happy birthday Kate for Monday....

Well after a bit of concern for Tracey's parents, looking at fllight schedules, balancing options and finally re-organsing Ashton and Tamara to look after Kyle.  We managed to have a wander around Mataranka and view the absolute devastation they encounter every year during the wet season.  Who in their right mind would manage/own an old resort that floods every year?? Leaving Mataranka back into Katherine, a quick Woolworths visit then on to Nitmiluk Katherine Gorge National Park.  Found a fantastic camp site overlooking the pool oasis including green grass, cabana umberellas and live afternoon music. But before enjoying our 2 day stay (possibly) we headed for our 3pm cruise through a couple of gorges.    Now back at our campsite making some phone calls, enjoying some live music and eating dinner. No big plans for tomorrow, hopefully able to relax by the pool. Bye for now.

Well, up we were before the sun for our Yellow Water sunrise cruise on the South Alligator River.  Looking forward to seeing some crocodiles and other wildlife. We were not disappointed..................   We thought we should keep count of our crocodile sightings but we got to 10 so didn't seem important anymore.      Plenty of wildlife on this cruise from the obvious above, to feral pigs and an amazing assortment of bird life including the elusive "Little Kingfisher" where we thought of everyone back home. After our early cruise we headed out of Kakadu and on thru Katherine to Mataranka for a dip in their 34 degree hot springs (advertising let us down but it was luke warm).  We have set up camp here for the evening and will head back to Nitmulik National Park (Katherine Gorge) tomorrow for a couple of days. Catch ya