Cooinda "Kakadu National Park" NT - 22/07/12 to 23/07/12

We are now heading into Kakadu National Park. On our drive into our first stop, Cooinda, we noticed that the landscape was different again.  Scrub land with scattering of palm trees and lots of termite mounds. These termite mounds were a lot taller than the others we had seen.

Our first stop was at the Warradjar Aboriginal Cultural Central which was very interesting.  We learnt that it's okay for an aboriginal to paint over somebody else's rock art but not okay to touch up or add too somebody else's painting as the spirits will get very mad.  

On next day we did the Sunrise Yellow River breaky cruise.  An amazing tour with some beautiful scenery. Our guide was fantastic and really new his stuff; from birds to crocs and also plant life.  We got to see some crocs and even followed one with the boat. Nate kept to the centre of the boat most of the time as he was worried that everybody being on one side might tip the boat and the croc's would get him.   

Breakfast was delicious I kept going for more and more. They had everything you could think of, bacon, eggs, sausages, baked beans, hash browns, yogurt, cereal, coffee, tea, bread and fruit just to name a few. I couldn`t stop eating.  It was the best breakfast I have had in a while. By Nate

Our accommodation at Cooinda was first class, not exactly what we had expected. We had noticed the Territorian's like to use the word "resort" a lot. However, on this occasion, our park actually was a resort. While the van sites were still largely dirt, the resort had two pools, one with a waterfall, a restaurant and a bar that traded all day. We made sure we made use of all these facilities.

One of the many termite hills. This one is on the larger size

Kind of says it all

Wild pigs in action

In the pool at Gagudju Resort Cooinda (Kakadu)

Yellow Water cruise

You can see the mist on the water

The illusive Azure kingfisher.  It seemed like we spent the whole  cruise looking for this beautiful bird

Nourangie rock art

Nabulwinjbulwinj

Katherine NT 19/7/2012 to 22/7/2012

Our last three days have been spent in Katherine and we have walked our butts off.  My achilles and calf muscle are really sore and Doug’s knees are giving him grief. It’s hard work this travelling. There are 13 different gorges that make up Katherine Gorge. We did walks into three of them. Averaging about  6k's a walk. Open hot plains most of the way until you get closer to the gorge, when it becomes more rain foresty. In hindsight we probably should have done a cruise or canoed on the river to get a better feel/look at the gorges. The views from the lookouts are well worth the walks though.  

On one of our outings we were advised that if we walked into Butterfly Gorge then we could go for a swim off a lovely sandy beach. They have different ideas of sandy beaches to us. When we got there it was a step and very narrow muddy bank, so we decided to give the swimming a miss.  Another concern was also coming across a salt water croc.

Katherine also has some hot springs.  The boys went swimming with the Cutlers one arvo.  Yes, we saw the Cutlers again. We had just gone to the springs to check it out and next minute Jacob's yelling out "there's Levi" and tearing off to say hello.  We just can't seem to shake them. Just kidding as we always enjoy catching up and having a few laughs (and a few drinks) with familiar faces. Unfortunately, from here on, it seems as we will be leaving the Cutlers behind as they may stay in Katherine for a while to look for work. 

The caravan park we stayed in was probably the best one in town. Unfortunately we seemed to get the worst site in the park. The sun bore in on us (and only us) right up to 5.30 in the arvo. Added to this, what at first looked like a lovely shady site, turned out to be the only site above which all the local bats congregated to at night. 

Lookout overlooking the first gorge in Katherine Gorge

On these walks, the water stops are most welcome

This is another tree

Walking right up against the gorge wall

Vicki on the "beautiful sandy beach". You need to use your imagination a bit here.

Pats lookout 2nd gorge

One of the swimming holes. Unfortunately the water  is well down now. The boys are up on a ledge which would probably be only six feet out of the water at the height of the wet season.

Same swimming hole with the line on the rocks showing how high the water sits for most of the year.

A Boab tree. 

Bitter Springs NT 15/7/12 to 19/7/12

We have just spent the most relaxing four days in Bitter Springs Mataranka NT.  It's almost like we have been on holidays.  Mataranka is known for its thermal springs, which are in the Elsey National Park.  We spent most of the time in Bitter Springs and the thermal pool in Mataranka.  They are both very different. Bitter Springs is a natural water way that meanders downstream about 150 metres.  You float down with the current with goggles on and explore under the water.  Very peaceful and tranquil.  It flows at a rate of 300 litres of water per second.  We only saw turtles as it’s too hot for anything else to live in there. Apparently it’s something to do with the oxygen levels in the water.  To be honest, if there wasn’t anyone else in the springs I might not have gotten in as it’s very murky on the sides and lots of slim and mosey weed. The middle is very clear though.

 Mataranka Thermal pool is very commercialised, they have concreted the side of the pool and it has a much sandier bottom.  There’s no floating down stream and there doesn’t seem to be much of a current. Still beautiful though.  Both spring and the pool water temp are a constant 33 degrees. Our days were spent in either or both of the springs/pools, lulling about.  It was nice not have to rush off and see this or do that.  It was all about the water.

On our first visit to Mataranka thermal pool there was an unexpected  and unwelcome visitor; a brown snake. Unfortunately one of the men bathing thought he was a new age Ram Chandra and was going to clear the snake from the area. However all he did was stir it up and eventually the snake dropped into the pool looking for a means of escape from his tormentor. I’ve never seen 30 grey nomads move with such speed.  For a brief second it appeared there would be a happy ending to the story. The snake charged across the pool and we thought it was going to attack its tormentor, but all it was doing was looking  for another way out of the pool.

On our second last day who should we see in the local shop but the Cutlers, who had just got into town.  So we spent our last day with them.  We all checked out the barra fish feeding. The boys had a good time as they got to feed them.  Then off to the springs and the thermal pool, finishing at the Mataranka Homestead for happy hour and a bush dance. 

One of the many termite hills that we saw on the way.  Apparently there are over 350 different species of termites in Australia with 100 species living in the Northern Territory. All of their mounds are different looking

The Big Termite Mound in Mataranka. Apparently they also make them out of concrete.

 

We could walk down to Bitter Springs from our camp site

In the water at Bitter Springs

The tranquil Bitter Springs early in the morning

Mataranka thermal pools

The Brennans and the Cutlers in Mataranka thermal pool

Roper River where all the water from the thermal pools eventually goes into. You will also find fresh water crocs in here. You will NOT find the Brennans in here.

Nate feeding the barra

And Jacob

Looking up while in Mataranka Springs

While everything is expensive at Mataranka, our new sunnies were a bargain at $10 each. Apparently they are looking to move them on so they can get new stock in. And the 3 mm of dust on each pair was also free.

Happy hour at Mataranka Homestead

The kids Vicki and Sandi doing the Hokey Pokey

And, of course, the old favourite "Click Go the Shears"