Week 6

Wednesday - Leaving Douglas Daly Tourist Park behind us, we're off to Katherine again via Pine Creek. The local General Store is run by Eddy Toy and his family. Eddy Toy was born in Pine Creek and went to school with a food friend of ours . . . Alan Gold. After introducing ourselves Eddy got his daughter to take a picture of us outside his store;

Eddy, Nola & Roger

The Pine Creek Museum also had pictures of Eddy & Alan in Fancy Dress (at school);

Fancy Dress - Eddy & Alan

While we were at Pine Creek we also went to the Railway Museum where someone wanted to 'play trains'.

Some men never grow up!

'All Aboard'

When Roger had finished playing with his trains, we continued on to the Low Level Caravan Park at Katherine. After setting up camp, shopping etc. we were again off to the Bowls Club (some things never change). Well would u believe it - Wednesday Night Bowls (Pairs) were on! We both played pretty well and ended up winning the competitin and two chooks from the Red Rooster sponsor.

Thursday & Friday - A couple of laydays for the Bradley's (shopping, washing etc) and we have decided to stay until next Wednesday so that we can bowl in the Katherine Bowls Carnival which runs from Saturday through to Monday. We don't have high expectations but they were looking for another team for an even draw (no byes). We had a meal at the Katherine RSL Club and u couldn't jump over the chicken schnitzel.

Saturday  - Played two of our six games. We got a Silver Medal in both games (yes, we lost) which was a bummer, but we only lost the first game on the last end . . . . . . . . after leading for most of the game  (Boo Hoo / Sob Sob)

Sunday / Monday - Won two out of the reamaining four games which was an improvement but not good enough to get into the winners circle. Katherine Bowls Club only have ONE penant side (open gender) and they drive 300 km to Darwin to play!

When they're finished playing it's another 300 km drive home!!!!!!

Since the end of the Tour de France, Katherine has caught Cadel Evans Fever. As Cadel was born in the town has now errected large banners which are proudly displayed as u enter Katherine.

Click on this link for details. . . Cadel Evans Birthplace

Tuesday – Lay Day, Shopping and Packing and all the boring stuff u do before moving on.

We were undecided as where we would be on Wednesday. Originally we were heading East to Borroloola (almost into the Gulf of Carpentaria) but speaking to the Information Centre and another caravanner, we found out that there wasn’t too much to see or do there?

We’ve now decided we’ll head West to Victoria River & Timber Creek for a couple of days. It means backtracking through Katherine, but we have plenty of time left before heading home.

Everything is BIG in the Territory

Week 5

Wednesday – Nola needs some Retail Therapy (without Roger) while I update our Blog. Bowls again @ Humpty Doo BC

Thursday – We did a tour of the East Point Military Museum followed by coffee at Cullen Bay Harbour and then onto the Charles Darwin National Park.

Another Jeep for John

 Big Tank

Big Gun

Big Bullets

Big Head

 Friday – We drove to Fogg Dam at Adelaide River where there was an abundance of birds, but Roger left his camera at caravan park (outside van) but luckily it was there when we got back (phew). We had a problem with car fridge power supply (it died), but as most businesses were closed due to public holiday (Darwin Royal Show) we had a bigger problem. Bowls again @ Humpty Doo BC (grudge match with Bert Wells from our club) - Nola & Roger won by 2 shots

Saturday – Picked up new power supply from camping shop / had lunch with old friends Ken & Heike (from Adelaide) / washed, cleaned and packed up van ready for next leg of our trip.

Sunday – Off to Litchfield Park today.

Cafe Area



Our Camp Site

Only a short trip down the Stuart Highway / through town of Batchelor and we arrived around
11:00 am. After setting up our van again (very nice site) and lunch, we visited the giant Magnetic Termite Mounds. Unfortunately Florence Falls was packed out with bloody tourists – we’ll go back tomorrow morning.

Giant Termite Mounds

Giant Termite Mounds

Monday – Off early (8:30 am) for our second tour of Litchfield National Park. FortunatelyLNP isn’t that big and in five hours we were able to see numerous waterfalls, old homesteads and tin mines etc. We even extended ourselves with a number of walking trails too!

Nice Waterfall Roger!

Unfortunately Wangi Falls was closed for swimming (crocs)

Wangi Falls

The Giant Termite & Magnetic (Cathedral) Termite Mounds are amazing and the National Park has an exceptional job with this presentation.

Magnetic Termite Mounds

The old Blythe Homestead was amazing. So small you just can’t imagine how the Blythe family raised fourteen (yes 14) children in such a small and isolated place! The 4WD track into this property is average at best and there are two major water crossings (No Problem my VW Touareg, but a Jeep would have struggled!!!)

Blythe Homestead

Water Crossing / Road

Tuesday - Leaving Litchfield NP behind us we stopped at Adelaide River to view the WW2 War Cemetery. Apart from those who lost their lives in the Darwin Harbour bombing raid on
19^th Feb 1942, it also commemorates those from the Darwin Region who paid the supreme sacrifice.

On a lighter note we lashed out $2.00 each to tour the Adelaide River Historical Railway Station. Built in 1888, this is one of Australia’s oldest Railway Stations.

Adelaide River RS

On to Douglas Springs Tourist Park where we arrived around 11:30 am. After lunch we checked out the nearby Douglas Hot Springs, but disappointingly the water wasn’t that deep (perhaps we had higher expectations after visiting Bitter Springs & Berry Springs which were much deeper)

Douglas Hot Springs

Week 4

Wednesday - Off to Darwin Wharf Precint which has millions of dollars thrown at it. Everything from a Convention Centre to a beach and even a wave pool. They do have a small charge for people to use it and there is even two hour undercover FREE parking!

Wave Pool and

Beach

After tea back at camp we were off to Humpty Doo Bowling Club for a game of social bowls. Not as formal as Nightscliff B C and NO SAND FLIES! As it was only social bowls the scores aren't important, but if you must know Nola's team beat my team 17 to 5.

Humpty Doo Bowls

Thursday – We decided to catch the Sea Cat ferry from Cullen Bay to Mandorah on the other side of the Darwin Harbour. Just a twenty minute cruise found us clambering up a steel jetty (they have massive tides here) and then a five minute walk to the Mandorah Hotel. Unless u want to walk 3.3 kms to the supermarket (no thanks) this is the best place to be.

Barramundi and salad cost us a staggering $13.00 each and the drinks were reasonably priced. With a harbour view (with everything from fishing boats, warships and even LARC Amphibious Vehicle we relaxed until the next ferry arrived two hours later.

After Grandad had a 'Power Nap' in the afternoon it was off to the Mindil Markets which are held every Thursday & Sundays

Mindil Markets

NEWS FLASH . . . . . . . . It's Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



After being away for a few years, the MO' is back!

Friday - Bowls again at Humpty Doo and no we didn't win (and nor did the Adelaide Crows!)

Saturday - Nola is off to play in a ladies bowls carnival at Nightscliff BC and Roger did a tour of the WWI Oil Storage Tunnels. Only cost $6.00 and it was a drive / walk yourself guided tour.

Entry from Darwin Waterfront Road

Tunnel with WWI Memorabilia

Sunday – Off for a drive to Berry Springs which is just 32 kms down the Stuart Highway. U have to give the NT Govt credit here as they have provided a great picnic area around a natural spring. Our friends Gail & Wayne went there in the afternoon and it was ‘packed’.

Berry Springs

Now I know I've told u all how good the ensuite facilities are in our caravan park, but I know u don't believe me?

Here's the proof;

 Bloody Marvelous

Monday – Seniors Day at Sky City Casino.

With $15.00 FREE play money each (we keep the winnings) Nola & Roger hit the poker machines. The end result was we walked out of the casino with an extra $90.00 in our pockets . . . whooopee!

Sky City Casino - Darwin Beach



We also visited the Aviation Historical Museum near the airport which has a B52 Bomber as their prize exhibit. Around the same size as a Jumbo Jet, it’s very impressive.

Other exhibits include Mirage & Spitfire Fighter Planes and Huey Cobra Helicopter Gunship.

B52 Bomber

Spitfire

Mindful that my mad mate Wayne really hates the sound of jet engines (after camping alongside the airport for a week) I stuck a Bumper Sticker on his 4WD read;

I LUV JET NOISE!

Tuesday – Today we had a cultural experience at the Museum and Art Gallery. Only small, but very nice.

They also had an audio / visual exhibition on Cyclone Tracey, which was quite extensive and the Maritime Museum included displays of boats that have been used to get refugees to Oz.

Pearl Lugger - Vivienne

Our good friends Wayne & Gail are off to Litchfield NP tomorrow, so they treated us to a Roast Pork Dinner. Gail cooked a fine roast and of course Gourmet Chef (Wayne) took all the glory;

Gourmet Chef (yeah sure)

The Bradley's & Brown's Dinner Party

Week 3

Wednesday - Well the first two weeks are behind us and we seem to have covered a fair bit of Oz. Today we went to the Bowali Visitor / Cultural Centre at Jabaru which was really good, followed by a 2 km walk around Ubirr (close to the Arnhem Land Border)

On the way back we stopped at Cahill Crossing and watched barra being caught on the centre of the crossing. This was pretty dumb as crocs have fed on fishermen from this very spot!

Cahill Crossing

Ubirr Rock Art

Ubirr Lookout

We finished back at Cooinda around four o'clock and our new found friends Wayne & Gail from Newcastle joined us for a BBQ. After tea we went to the Cooinda Lodge to watch the State of Origin - Game 3. As you would expect Wayne & Gail were barracking for the Blues, whilst I was cheering for the Maroons (for my mate Kevin in Qld.)

Sadly the Blues were not good enough, but at least Wayne was brave enough to face the music;

Go the Maroons

Thursday – Today we left Cooinda – Yellow River and meandered past Jabiru and onto our next destination - Aurora Kakadu Resort near South Alligator River. We got there early so what could go wrong?

Due to a technical error (Roger & Nola had both sourced two (2) wrong phone numbers) we discovered that we had actually made our booking at Aurora Kakadu Lodge at Jabiru! No harm done though as we hadn’t paid a deposit and two wrongs make a right, don’t they?

We checked out a 4WD track to a couple of local billabongs, but the track was closed. Just down road we visited a wetlands area called Mamukala (Mar-Moo-Car-Lar) which had an enormous bird hide / viewing platform.

Nola's Favorite Lilly

Friday – Hunting & Gathering Day.

With lunch and fishing rods packed we went back to Cahills Crossing so that Roger could catch his first barramundi (stop laughing)

Barra Bradley

After losing three lures, but gaining another (that someone else had lost) I did end up catching my first Barra. Nola wasn’t quick enough with the camera, so I’m claiming it was over one metre in length . . . . . so I had to release it! (rules are rules)

Cahill Crossing Road Train

Saturday – With our last day at Aurora Kakadu (South Alligator River) we decided to explore the region around Mary and Adelaide Rivers. Although we will be passing this way tomorrow (with the caravan in tow) we wanted to take our time . . . . . exploring.

We called in at the ‘Jumping Crocodile Cruise’, but we had already decided not to go on this cruise.

Crocodile Wrestler

Apparently they had really BIG WET this year – in February the Adelaide River was ten kms wide!!!!

One place we stopped at was the  Window on the Wetlands. Built in 1994 this ‘free’ interpretive centre is built on top of a hill overlooking the Adelaide River Wetlands.

Window on the Wetlands

On our way back to camp we had lunch at Corroboree Park Tavern (yummy).

Arriving back at South Alligator River we found the floodplains ablaze. Apparently bush fires are commonplace in the Territory and they just let them burn out!

Sunday - All packed up and we're off again to Darwin. We decided that we would book into the Howard Springs Caravan Park a day earlier, as we had covered a lot of places on our trip yesterday. After arriving around 11:00am in the morning we decided we would stay for a week.

However, after setting up our van and then checking the amenities we realised we had made a BIG mistake. We went back to the reception and complained that they hadn't warned us how good the park was!

The new shower and toilet facilities are setup like a HUGE en suite . . . . better than at home!!! We have extended our stay here for another week.


Monday - Washing, reconnaissance (bowling clubs) and shopping day.


Tuesday - The caravan and my Touareg got lucky - Nola & I gave them a well deserved clean. Late afternoon we drove to Darwin's Cullen Bay  (for a look-see) and picked a Chinese restaurant on my GPS for tea. Only one problem . . . . it had burned down and the small shopping centre was now derelict! No matter, we settled with Fish & Chips before going bowling at the Nightscliff Bowls Club

Very nice synthetic greens (that don't scratch your bowls) our game of pairs was a draw 12 all after 14 ends. The second match played was between Roger and the sand flies! (Sand flies - 19 / Roger – Nil)

Week 2

We arrived at Mataranka on Wednesday night and stayed near the Bitter Springs Caravan Park alongside the natural thermal springs.

Yes, both Nola & Roger went floating down the thermal stream with all of the other Grey Nomads.

Sorry . . . no pictures, you will just have to use your imagination!!!

We arrived at Katherine on Thursday and the Shady Lane Caravan Park is just great.

Shady Lane Caravan Park

Unfortunately, I had a problem with the caravan wiring overheating (partly melted plug) and had to organise an Auto Electrician for Friday morning. We took the opportunity to do some shopping, visit the Information Centre before going to tea at the Bowls Club (some things never change!)

Saturday morning we were up early for leisurely cruise down two Katherine Gorges . . . smashing.

'Show Pony'

Staff Photographer

Rock Painting

Sunday: Just a lazy day for us today, picked up our National Parks Pass / stocked up with tucker for our next trip to Kakadu / cleaned Vee Dub (only one clean a fortnight now). Tonight we're catching up with fellow nomads Wayne & Gail tonight for dinner.

Monday - Left early for Kakadu (Cooinda Resort) and stopped briefly at Pine Creek.

Eddy Toys Store

Unfortunately Eddy Toys Store didn’t open until 10:00 am (bit of a sleepy town eh?) so we must catch up with him on the way back to Adelaide

We arrived at Gagudju Lodge Cooinda around noon and booked in for three days. No TV or Phone reception, but the wireless internet is full strength?  

We went on the Sunset Cruise from 4:30 – 6:30 pm . . . . absolutely brilliant.  

Cooinda / Kakadu Sunset

We saw five crocs including a massive 4.9 metre male croc that was still feeding on the head and shoulders of a wild pig!!!  

Crikey Mate!

The highlight of the cruise (Nola had her eyes closed) was when our guide produced three large snakes from a bag! He then showed his part trick . . . . . by holding the snake s head in his mouth.

Party Trick!

Apparently this snake is being cooked on Wednesday

Tuesday; For an extra $20.00 (special offer) we treated ourselves to another two hour morning cruise which statred at 9:00 am. As well as crocs and birds we also saw wild pigs, sea eagles and brumbies.



Sea Eagle

Tuesday - No Sunset Cruise tonight . . . just a Sunset Show for avid photographers;



Just Another Sunset