KATHERINE NT

Well, today is our last day in Katherine. We have spent 8 days here and it has been great. The days have been very hot and humid and the pool was a must. We spent a couple of hours every day cooling off.

Jill floating on her back

The other times we would find some lovely spots to visit and take a few photos. We are staying at the Low Level Caravan Park and you have to cross a bridge to get there. The river flowing under the bridge is very scenic and we spent some time walking along the banks.

This monument of an indiginous stockman is situated as you come into Katherine. The workmanship on this is so detailed, it's unbelievable even down to the stitching on the saddle.


Wednesday we visited Springvale Homestead Caravan Park. We stayed here in the 80's. It is not as we remembered it. It's a little rundown now and needs some TLC.

Springvale Homestead, Katherine, NT

One humungus tree at Springvale Homestead, Katherine, NT

Today being Sunday and our last day here, we decided to take a drive to Katherine Gorge (or Nitmiluk as it is called now). We have taken the Gorge river tour a couple of times before so this time we just took a leisurely walk around the grounds and down to the river.

Kayaks on the river at Katherine Gorge

Arnold, Ronnie & Barry, Katherine Gorge

Leaving Katherine Gorge

When we got back to the caravan park we were called over to see a kookaburra (certainly not the same kookaburras as in Victoria ) in a tree near our van. This one only stayed still for a short time so it was good to get a photo.

Also spotted this beautiful flowering gum.

Our meal tonight, Sunday 31 May, was yummy Roast Pork and vegies at the Bistro attached to the caravan park. There was 6 of us as Sheelagh and Greg who are parked next to us came for the roast also. Afterwards we walked back to their camp for a drink and chat. It has been so relaxing here but tomorrow we will make our way to Darwin via a couple of gorges and perhaps Litchfield NP. So until Darwin it's bye for now.

MT ISA TO FREECAMP NEAR KATHERINE

We left Gregory River freecamp and drove as far as a freecamp between Cloncurry and Mt. Isa. There were about 20 vans there already so we had to park quite close to the road. Needless to say we didn't get much sleep because of the trucks passing most of the night. Otherwise it was okay as an overnight stop.

The following day we got to Mt Isa. As we had been there on the last trip we didn't go to any of the tourist sites. We stocked up on food and after a couple of nights, moved on.

Night shot of Mt Isa from caravan park

Fuel was needed so we stopped at Camooweal. After getting fuel we parked in the carpark next to a roadtrain loaded with a huge track off a grader or suchlike.

Then it was on to a freecamp. It was a huge area and there were quite a numbers of vans already there so we parked where we could. It was okay but the sunset was magic.
The next stop was Threeways for fuel

and then on the Banka Banka Station where we stayed the night. We were able to use the generator here so that was good.

The next day we got to Daly Waters Pub. The meal is always great with Beef and Barra and as much salad and damper as you can eat. The entertainment was the same as last time - the chicken man with his oomydoodle birds or as he calls them ... wedgetail eagles. The unpowered site was only $10 but they get you with the meal and the drinks. 2 cans of bourbon was nearly $18 so we drank very slowly.

The following day we drove as far as a freecamp about 40Klms from Katherine. A great stopover. Everyone was talking to each other about where they had been and where they are going. It's great to get information on the best places to stay.

It was good not to travel very far before we got to our stop - Katherine. We will stay here for a week. It's a great park - it's good to have phone and internet service again. As we are staying here for a while, I will update the blog again with news and photos of Katherine. Bye Bye.

NORMANTON TO LAWN HILL AND MT ISA

We left Normanton and headed down to Burke & Wills Roadhouse where we topped up with fuel. From there we turned towards Gregory Downs and spent the night on the Gregory River.... literally. When the river is in flood the area where we parked is under water.

The following day we braved the dirt road to Adels Grove (Lawn Hill). It took quite a few hours to get there.

A few roadtrains passed with mountains of dust. Luckily the wind was blowing the other way so we weren't blinded by it.

There were also a few creek crossings and one gate which we had to open and close; to keep the cattle in their rightful place I would say.

We finally arrived at Adels Grove and were given the choice of where to go - the generator area or the Grove. We chose to set up in the Grove as it would be cooler under the canopy of trees. It was much better than being out in the open.

As we were only staying a couple of nights the guys decided to go for a swim in the river.

We had roast pork and vegies for dinner cooked in Barry's camp oven. It was so delicious.

The following day we drove into Lawn Hill National Park and went kayaking. At first it was kind of scary but after a while I got used to it. Arnold had a double paddle and I had a single. So we both did the paddling.

We paddled as far as these waterfalls.

Jill and Barry were in their own kayak and they enjoyed the boatride as much as we did.

After the kayaking we went for a walk along the river. There had been a storm and flooding the year before and the area had been literally decimated. Such a shame as we remember what it did look like before the storm. When we stopped to have lunch we saw this nest of a bower bird. They build their nest on the ground and collect coloured bits and pieces which they place at the front door.

We had a great stay at Adels Grove. We stayed on the Gregory River overnight on the way out.

From there we drove to Cloncurry to get some supplies and then on to a freecamp about 60klms away from Mt. Isa. The following day we drove to Mt. Isa. But that's for the next entry. I will leave you with a couple of shots of the wildlife. Bye for now.

RUBYVALE TO THERESA CREEK DAM, MT SURPRISE AND NORMANTON/KARUMBA

We left Rubyvale on 6th May. Jill and Barry had arrived on 4th so the plan was to travel to Theresa Creek Dam. The road in was all bitumen and when we got there we could park anywhere we could find room. It was quite busy but we found a good spot. Barry used his camp oven to make a delicious roast leg of lamb and spuds. It was a feast fit for Kings & Queens.

We stayed at Theresa Creek for 2 nights. On the way out we passed an historic General
Store in a place called Copperfield. Apparently, many years ago, the owners decided to just lock up the shop. They left everything in the shop so today it looks the same inside as it did then, with all the shelves still stocked.


Historic Copperfield General Store

Later in the day we decided to look for a free camp. The one we found was called Fletchers Creek. It is a very big area which we had to share with some Brahmn but it was okay.


The following day we drove as far as Mt Surprise, after stopping for a look at the Undarra Lava Tubes. The park at Mt Surprise has some beautiful Miniature Horses which just walk around the park.

We went on a day trip from Mt Surprise to O'Briens Creek Gemfields. There were so many Brahmn on the way. They come in all shapes, sizes and colours.

We didn't find anything as we really didn't have the right equipment, but it was a good day.

After leaving Mt Surprise we drove as far as Normanton, with a few stops along the way. We were going to freecamp but decided to stay in a caravan park so we could catch up on some washing.

Today, Tuesday, after having a look around Normanton and taking photos of some interesting tourist attractions,

Krys The Crocodile (the largest croc shot in Australia)

Historic Train Station and Gulflander Train

we drove 70klms to Karumba to watch the sunset. The town itself is not very big. The majority of people are there to fish. Karumba is the furtherest point on the Gulf of Carpentaria. We had barramundi and chips for dinner which was sooo yummy. Then stayed for the sunset. We drove back to Normanton in the dark hoping not to hit any roos, which we didn't.

Sunset at Karumba Point

Tomorrow we will make our way to Lawn Hill. Bye for now.