Kakadu

Kakadu - what a place to visit - it was just gorgeous.

We stayed at Jabiru in the Aurora Kakadu Lodge and caravan park. A beautiful park and extremely large - lots of amenity blocks and a pool and bar and bistro and entertainment  most nights.

Our first stop was the Bowali Visitor Centre to find out about all the trails and ranger talks that you can attend and to get the $25each park admission slip ( these funds go to the upkeep of the park)

The next day we visited Jim Jim Falls - this was  50 klms on a dirt road and 10 klms four wheel driving on rocks. After parking we had to follow a trail that led up and down the rocky hillside and we were scrambling over large rocks for about half an hour until eventually we got to the falls where you were able to swim.

Jim Jim Falls

Sitting next to the swimming hole on the sandy beach

Looking up from the ground

The next day we visited Ubirr Art Site in time to hear the Ranger talks on all the sites there.We drove there but had a fifteen minute walk from the car park to the first site which was Main Gallery. This ranger had been in the area for thirteen years and she was still learning the aboriginal ways. She explained the very complex family systems that they have and about their beginnings. These stories were taught to her by the elder who unfortunately had died recently. She also learned about bush tucker and how to find it all around this area. she was excellent.

Main Art Gallery - although not a good picture it showed all the foods that can be found in this area

Nadab Lookout

 

Nanmarrkan sisters

Rainbow Serpent

After these talks we went further down the track to a camp spot to see Aboriginal artists painting from scratch. Some of the people who had been there earlier than us had started to do their own painting, but the following two pictures were done by the aboriginal artists.

The next day we visited Nourlangie which has walks and galleries. In between each site there is usually a walk that takes you over, up and down the hillside. You always need to carry lots of water and wear sunscreen and a hat and insect repellent - although the flies don,t take any notice of it.

Anbangbang Gallery

Anbangbang shelter where the tribe sheltered during the wet season - awesome place

Gunwarddewarde Lookout

Another shot from the lookout

Incline Gallery

This is the end of our experience in Kakadu,  we are now off to Katherine and the Gorges. We have lots more pictures of this area but didn't want to bore you all so will show them all to the family when we get home