Kakadu to Fitzroy Crossing Lodge

What another wonderful day we had in Kakadu, we went and did some more free talks with the Rangers, this time at Nourlangie, lots more rock art, the talks we did were on Family, Law and Land and also the Anbangbang Shelter.  Being in Kakadu and learning about the Aboriginals, has been really eye opening.  Wish the ones that lived in the city were like all of the ones living in Kakadu, we wouldn't have any problems at all.

Paige has just loved listening to all the stories and looking at all the different tools that they used.  We also got to see the very rare Black Walleroo, we weren't fast enough for a photo though.  The whole stay, Mark has been wanting to see Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, however, due to a death at the falls and the elders wanting to smoke the place (to release the spirit of the dead) it has been closed, however, lucky for us they opened it us on Saturday (our last day in Kakadu).

Due to the roads leading to the falls, it took 2 hours to get there, creek crossing and a boat ride to get to Twin Falls, amazing beautiful place, very peaceful.  Then a very long hard walk over rocks and boulders to get to Jim Jim Falls, water was very very cold, it took your breathe away.  Jesse wanted to swim out to the waterfall, but to cold to swim all the way.

Mark was happy he got to see everything he wanted to see, until we got back to camp and saw that we were invaded by the Grey Nomads, who had decided to set themselves up around us.  Lucky we were leaving the next day.  The kids were all excited as they all brought they hats (see pictures below)

Sunday we left Kakadu and headed back to Katherine stayed in a fantastic place called Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), big pool, free washing machines and loads of wallaby's and fruit bats.  We did got for a walk, however, only opted for the 1.5 hr walk not the 3 hr walk.  From Nitmiluk we went to a overnight stop called Saddle Creek, the kids were excited as they meet a dog named Max.  Next we crossed the boarder and stayed in Mary Pool for the night, only a short drive to Fitzroy Crossing Lodge, where we are now and here we leave you until next time as it is 34 and it is time for a swim.

Talk to you next time.

The Vandas

Kakadu

Well we made it to Kakadu and what a big place, we didn't realise but it has its own shopping centre and school here.  Two of the best things about Kakadu are kids under 16 are free and there are lots of free activities to do like guided walks, slide shows and kids activities

We spent our first night in a place called Gunlorn, (located not far from the start of the park) bush camping with toilets and hot showers.  It is also home to a safe swimming place for the kids, it happens to be on top of the waterfall, but a short walk of 30 minutes  up a steep incline, brings you to three great pools with white sand and rocks.  Amazing view from the top, looks a bit like a affinity pool.

The next day we decided to set up base in the middle of the park at a camp called Mardugal.  This is where we did our first free activity, a slide show of all the different animals in Kakadu.  Found out some amazing things about walleroos, haven't seen one yet but we are all still looking.

We did a boat tour up and down the South Alligator River (called alligator river as the first white people who named it didn't know the difference between Alligators and Crocodiles), it is also called Yellow Water.  On the tour we saw our first (but not last) of crocodiles in the day time and as the tour operator was aboriginal, we also learnt about all the different animals and birds along the river that they eat.

Later that night we did a free tour of the river bank with one of the rangers, who filled us in on all the different birds and fish the park has.  Today we did the top end of the park to a place called Ubirr, it is home to alot of rock art and also boarders Arnhem Land.  It is amazing how beautiful this place is.  The kids also saw a demonstration of Traditional Painting, then got to do some of their own.

To end of the day, we did another free slide show at our camp about the six seasons the aboriginals have.  Tomorrow it is off to explore around the middle of the park some more and they hopefully Saturday we get to see Jim Jim Falls a place Mark has wanted to see for years.  We are hoping to see Twin Falls as well, however, due to the heavy rain they had a Easter, we don't think they will open it up until next month.

Photos attached are of different places and animals in the park.

Talk to you all soon,

The Vandas

P.S.  One thing that isn't great about Kakadu are the misquitos, they are as big as flys and they really hurt.

Photos as promised

The following are all photos of various places along the Gibbs River Road, including Marks creeks crossings.

Barn hill to Katherine

Well what a fantastic few days, sorry I haven't been able to post as offer as I wanted to, not a lot of Internet service where we have been.  We started the Gibbs River Road and did a lot of walking, climbing and swimming.  Bells, Manning, El Questro were all amazing, so many places to see could not get it all done.  Mark wanted to stay at least another month, but I don't think the bosses at work would be too happy with that, so another holiday is now being planned.  The kids have done so many things, we even got them all jumping off some really high waterfalls in the water.   We all went croc hunting at night at the Pentacost river, didn't see one during the day but lots at night.  Kids have really enjoyed all the swimming, not much of it now that we are in the NT and lots of crocs around.  Our next stop was Parrys Lagoon in Wyndham, explored all that was to see, which wasn't much, lots of frogs and insects, headed out to an overnight stay  in the Nt just short of Katherine,, lots of older people with really big caravans to contend with.  We are now heading to Kakadu the main reason for the trip, will blog about it,  next time we have service.  I have attached different photos will attach more when  I download them from the camera.  Bye for now. Sorry no photos and I have to post now as Mark is driving out of range and won't stop long enough.

Fantastic time at Barn Hill, could have stayed a week, it was so relaxing, nothing to do but walk on the beach, swim, read books and relax.  (Also falling on reef, which I did, lovely graze down knee and leg, hand doesn't look much better, could only happen to me)

Kids loved playing in the sand and water.  Headed to Derby today for food shopping and a good clean up.  Restocked and ready to hit the Gibbs River Road tomorrow.  Don't know when we will get coverage again, but talk to you all then.

Photos of Barn Hill attached.

The Vandas