Katherine

Our first visit was to the Visitor information centre in Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge)  to look what was on in the area and what we could visit. Whilst we were there we decided to  try the the 3.7klm walk to the top of the  first gorge , along the escarpment and back to the visitor centre. It was exhilarating and even though I found it difficult to breathe at one stage it was well worth the effort, the views are fantastic as you can see below.

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

Carrying on from Yesterdays Darwin post

More photos of where we have been in the Darwin area. I am getting really behind with the blog as we have already finished Kakadu and move on to Katherine tomorrow.

The next seven photos are but a few that we took of Darwin Botanic Gardens - what a beautiful place.

Darwin Esplanade - you can see the Navy in the background

The esplanade memorial and gun from one of the ships that were bombed in the WW11

The Esplanade looking back towards the city

Howard Springs Nature Park - this is the weir and there is a children's play area with a pool.Tthis weir is full of all different types of fish that are very large and you can feed them but you can't fish here they are protected

This is the natural spring that runs all year - it just comes up out of the ground as if from nowhere

Fogg Dam Conservation and Recreation Area - this was taken on the dam wall - the bird is a Jabiru and we were not allowed to get out of the car or walk across the dam wall as there were saltwater crocs in the area

This picture was taken looking out across the wetlands from the dam lookout area - this wetlands is home for thousands of birds and animals

This is the Windows on the wetlands centre

This is the view from the Windows on the wetlands centre

This is the beginning of the woodlands to water lillies walk at the dam

This is at the end of the woodlands to water lillies walk at the dam

Well that's all the photos of the Darwin area - we have heaps more but don't want to bore you too much. My next report will be of Kakadu as soon as I get time.

Darwin - Capital of the Northern Territory

Darwin is a medium sized city, very vibrant and up market. It has lots of sidewalk cafes and eateries and bars, coupled with extremely tall hotels it was not what I expected. There are 2 public toilets on the esplanade and one I found on Stokes Hill Wharf. When we were shopping in the middle of the city we couldn't find any toilets at all ( and we did ask people) We ended up having to go out of the city to Bunnings (as everyone knows they have toilets inside). Not my kind of city but still enjoyed all the things that we visited. We spent one week and a day in a caravan park just outside of the city at Virginia which is just lower than Palmerston. Whilst we were there a lady with dementia went missing in the Virginia area and the Police and volunteers were out in force trying to find her (even mounted police) but alas after 5 days they stopped searching and no one has found her yet. We visited the Humpty Doo pub for lunch on the Sunday - very popular and there were three young ladies working behind the bar who were excellent, really enjoyed this.

We took a lot of photos so I am going to split them so that this post will not be too long.

One part of Darwin harbour

Plaque on Stokes Hill Wharf remembering those that died in the Bombing of Darwin

Another plaque on Stokes Hill Wharf

Sweetheart (name of croc as came from the sweet river area)  the only exhibition we are allowed to photograph in the museum

Front of the museum building

Fanny Bay Gaol - the Infirmary and the hanging place

A cell

Maybe we should show naughty children this picture?

Inside the Gaol between Block A and Block B

Charles Darwin National Park - Part of this park was used as an ammunition storage area during the war and large bunkers were built into the sides of the hills all of which are still there.

This one is open to the public to show what types of artillery were used

Stephen checking everything out

View from the lookout - you can just see Darwin in the background