After the work it was time to 'cool off' in the thermal pool behind the caravan park!! We had a top time together for a couple of days before Cath & Gary headed westward to Darwin and we headed east to Kununurra in Western Australia.
We left Kakadu for Katherine where we met up with the lovely Stewart couple (my sister Cathy and hubby Gary) where Gary kindly assisted (took the lead actually) in installing some wiring for an additional battery to run the car fridge. Help much appreciated!!
After a half hour clamber over a steep rocky hillside we came to the top pools above Gunlom Fall - excellent swimming we loved it. The day was about 36 degrees and a cool dip was just what we needed. Heading to Katherine today (25th Aug) and West to meet Gary and Cath somewhere near Timber Creek....
We spent the last couple of days at Kakadu at the campsite Gunlom Falls - a beautiful spot. This shot is of the bottom pool which we were told has freshwater crocs and on occasion a saltwater version....I let the kids swim first....
There are tours and crocodiles at the Yellow waterholes as in most areas of Kakadu...
From the hostile Northern Kakadu we went south to Yellow Waterholes near Cooinda campgrounds. Sam's attempting to make friends with a local didn't quite happen...
This particular croc recognised me and gave a friendly wave...
Leeanne at Ubirr Rock contemplating how blessed she is with three lovely boys!!....
We camped at a place called Mardugal near Cooinda around the centre of Kakadu and did day trips from this base. In this photo we are standing atop Ubirr Rock which looks out towards Arnhem Land to the East and back towards Kakadu in other directions. Spectacular scenery across the wetland areas.
For those fishermen who think hiding or taking refuge in a tree branch is a good idea - think again. This croc is 3+ metres and eventually took the meat offered with another leap like this one!!
This 4 metre speciman was about 1.5m away from Leeanne when the shot was taken (I was behind Lee!!)....up close and personal!!
We left Darwin where some modifications to the van were completed (toolboxes added) for more storage. On route to Kakadu National Park we stopped at Adelaide River where the "Spectacular Jumping Crocodiles" were a must see. In this photo you can see a 5.1m brute the locals call 'Michael Jackson' - this is because of his white head and black body!! Hard to capture the size of these with distance shots...
Our friend Maria from the Darwin church took us to 'Aquascene' where the fish come right up to people to be hand fed. Some quite large specimens in this bunch and quite unusual having them come right up to you without any fear at all!!
Joey & Sam enjoying the waterslides at Leanyer swimming centre. It's actually a free swimming area which is amazing. We loved it here and the boys slept well after some long sessions up and down the stairs to the top of the slides!! An added bonus!!
Here we have the boys at sunset from Darwin's East Point - a lovely setting for a meal and some quiet time (not possible with Joey & Sam!). Close to Darwin's famous Mindel beach markets location.
From the natural beauty of Litchfield NP we arrived at the 'Top End' city of Darwin. Quite warm (hot for us southerners) at around 33 degrees most days!! This shot is of the man made wave pool where visitors and locals get some relief from the heat.
Joey loves Mr Bean!! Florence Falls in the background. No comment from the peanut gallery required here!!
Getting to be a habit, meeting famous movie stars!! At Florence Falls I bumped into the 'three stooges'....
We had lunch near Florence Falls and happened to see this 'Martin's Lizard' make his way across the stream in search of a snack maybe??
We had a rough track to drive across to reach the 'Lost City' - a bunch of rocks that have eroded away into some weird shapes across a couple of hectares of land area....
Tolmer Falls is another of the more popular falls in Litchfield, however there is no swimming in this area allowed.
If you look closely you can see Lee, Joey & Sam swimming at the base of Wangi Falls. Mostly freshwater crocs are found here but they don't trouble people unless they feel threatened.
This is the magnificent Wangi Falls in Litchfield NP. The camp ground was about 200m from this swimming hole. Very hard to take when it's 32-34 degrees!!
Here's Joey at the midway point between to swimming areas at Edith Falls. He likes to climb them rocks does our Joey!!
Just north of Katherine is the top end of 'Nitmaluk National Park'. This area contains these lovely falls. Edith Falls was a nice place to stay and swim for a couple of days!!
Joey, just before sunset at Katherine Gorge lookout. The whole region is filled with aboriginal art and has significance to the local indigenous population.
There was a grumpy old man watching the boat drift past. Stoney faced - like some people!!
Katherine Gorge from the boat cruise vantage point. Hard to capture this on camera. Very scenic and beautiful area.
Sam meets and feeds Skippy.........
Outside of Katherine is the National Park 'Nitmaluk' (formerly Katherine Gorge NP).
