Kingfisher Travels

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

Well... what a long exhausting day.  But a great one. Picked up at 7:30am for our 4wd tour to Twin and Jim Jim Falls.  (Returned at 6pm) Definate high clearance 4wd country.. enjoyed the bouncing and creeks but not the corrugations. Once at Twin Falls there was discussion from our French Guide, Jane, about which walk to do.. the easy to the bottom of the falls (no swimming due crocodile) or the more adventurous to the top (swimming allowed).  The group asked advice about how hard it might be, Jane (Tarzan's wife obviously) said not too hard a little steep to start about 30m....... well if you know how the Kings Canyon Loop is then you have some idea of what this walk was like (not as steep but not Tracey's chosen environment - or mine for that matter).  We got out of the 4wd truck and looked up and up but (wrongly) assumed we would not be climbing this escarpment above as this was obviously not 30m and would be hard. Well after some fr...

Today we visited a few places..   still haven't seen any crocodiles.      We left Kakadu Lodge, Jabiru about 9 heading to the Kakadu border with Arnhem Land and Ubirr Rock. Ate some breakfast on the banks of the East Alligator River before visiting the Aboriginal Art site at Ubirr Rock.  Climbing onto the Ubirr Rock lookout provided some fantastic views (photos above) - also seen in Crocodile Dundee. Leaving here late morning to rendezvous with our 1pm Kakadu Air scenic flight from Jabiru.         And scenic it was... some spectacular countryside, rough rocky terrain siding onto vast flood plains.   Then onto Cooinda via another spectacular landscape sight, Nourlangie Rock (photos below).   A busy day but most enjoyable, we stay here at Gagudja Cooinda Lodge for 2 nights.  An early start tomorrow for our 4wd safari day to Jim Jim and Twin Falls....

Picked up our motorhome today and (after some grocery shopping and the wait for the van) headed for Kakadu.  Got to Jabiru and decided this would do... staying at Kakadu Lodge park. The area up here looks very brown and dry then you can drive through some swamp looking areas.. very strange.  Not much else to report today.

After a bit of a flight delay (on board) we arrived to thongs and shorts weather - 30 degrees.  Tracey loved it.  A bit of a wander around the CBD and port development, arriving back out our hotel for dinner. Where I think Tracey enjoyed her first Northern Territory taste... Mud Crab for dinner. Catch ya

We are ready for our short holiday into the Top End.  We will be without our trusty 4wd thus the roads we travel may not be as adventurous.  But we will be looking to see as much of the Top End that we can. I have labelled the map above with our "planned" overnight stops (blue dot - number indicates which night). I plan to blog every day or 2.  We are looking forward to an enjoyable holiday. Catch ya