KAKADU

OUR TRIP TO KAKADU

Got up around 6am this morning fed the two rabbits and 2 guinea pigs at our housesit in Humpty Doo, had breaky, packed the van and headed towards Kakadu on the Arnhem Highway. On the way we stopped at a place called Windows on the Wetland. It is set up high and gives you a magnificent view of the wetlands and Foggy Dam. As we were early we were lucky enough to get a ranger talk just with us. She told us about the build up and how the land we could see in front of us would flood and everything would be green and lush. The build up starts around November and brings amazing electrical storms and eventually rain to the parched land. She told us about some of the wildlife in the area including saltwater and fresh water crocs and the various birdlife and fish that inhabit the area and rivers. We also talked about the many fires and their effect on the land. Apparently most of the fires are deliberately lit and because of these a lot of the vegetation has been destroyed not to mention animal and birdlife.
We decided to stay at Jabiru because it is a central place and booked a site at the Kakadu Lodge. The CP was pretty empty due to the weather getting hotter and a lot of the tourists had left. We caught up with a couple of friends from Darwin Jenny and Chris. It was good to see them and share a drink and a chat. Later that day we went to the Bowali Visitors Centre and booked a yellow water cruise for the next day. Returned to camp for a swim and relax.
Got up 5.45am next morning for the 50km drive to Cooinda and the Yellow Water Cruise. The cruise was $99 each and included a full breakfast after. We drove down to where the boats were and the mist was still sitting on the billabong and there was a little breeze. We started cruising along and immediately started seeing crocs and lots and lots of birdlife. It was amazing. Some of the birds we saw were Jabirus, Sea Eagles, lots of different types of ducks, Azure Kingfishers, spoonbills, pelicans. We also saw feral horses and pigs. The waterlilies were so pretty and grew in abundance. As the sun rose over the water it sparkled and it was a beautiful sight.

After the 2hr cruise it was back to Cooinda Resort and a full cooked breakfast which we were more than ready for. When we had eaten we decided to call into the Warradjan Cultural Centre and Im glad we did. It gave us a better insight into the indigenous tribes that inhabit the Kakadu region and their way of life and dreaming. Then a steep climb to the Mirral Lookout for a view and a drink and it was starting to heat up. Finally we drove into Nourlangie Rock. This is the place to see and photograph various types of Aboriginal rock art.

After a refreshing swim in the pool at the CP we took a drive out to Ubirr stopping at Cahills Crossing on the way. Cahills crossing is a river crossing across the East Alligator River where game fishermen/women like to take their chances with crocs and fish for Barra. While we were there we spied a croc about 400m away. Apparently when the tide rises the crocs get washed across the causeway and may luck be with you if you are still fishing there at the time.

After checking out the Border Store and a cold drink it was onto Ubirr rock. The place to see the sunset. It was a magnificent view from the escarpment and there was more rock art here as well. Well worth a visit.

GUNLOM, KAKADU - Thursday 18th September

This morning we headed South down the Kakadu Highway bound for Gunlom. We had heard it was worth visiting although the road to get there is a bit rough and rugged. We made the decision that we wouldn't drive the full 37kms or so to get to the Gunlom campground so made the decision to take our van 13kms down the dirt road to Kambogle  free camp and leave our van to go to Gunlom for the afternoon. Everything would have gone ok but about 5kms down the dirt road our window in the front right of the van came loose and was flapping, cracked and then broke. We continued and made it ok. As we were the only van there we taped up the window with arubbish bag, clamped the tow ball and drove to Gunlom. What a find, it was beautiful. Steep climb to the top and infinity pools with waterfall tumbling over the edge to drop into pool down below, magic and worth the horrible drive to get there. Kambogle was good too, just us and 1 other van there. So glad we came.

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