DARWIN TO LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK (BATCHELOR)

We left Darwin on Monday June 15 and stopped at Berry Springs for morning tea and a swim. It was just wonderful. The water wasn't cold at all. As everybody knows, if the water is cold I don't go in. I am really going out of my comfort zone on this trip but it's well worth the ooo's and ah's until every part of the body is wet. Jennifer and Arnold jump straight in. I really am a wus (is that how you spell it).

Jen wanted to go under the waterfall but just wasn't too sure how far back the rocks were. After a few tries she finally made it under the falling water without hurting herself.

Nearly under

Made it under

And out again - wow she's did it!!!

After a quick dryoff we left Berry Springs and drove to Batchelor which was our base for Litchfield National Park and all the wonderful waterfalls and plunge pools. On Tuesday we spent the whole day going from one great spot to another. Our first stop was the Termite Mounds. They are enormous. Who knows how many termites it takes to build just one mound - and there are a huge amount just in this area alone.

Jennifer standing near wetlands Termite Mound

Jennifer standing near one of the biggest dry land Termite Mound

The next stop was Buley Rockhole. We had a quick dip here. It was great but we had to move on to the next waterfall and plunge pool.

I couldn't stand up - it was too slippery

This stick insect which was about 5" long was hanging upsidedown and dunking its antennae in the water - very strange.

The next stop was Florence Falls. These falls are the highest of them all. The carpark is at the top, as is a lookout. Then we had to take 144 steps down to the bottom of the falls. The going down is easy - it's the walking up the steps that's the hard part. I had to stop quite a few times with lots of huffing and puffing.

Lookout at Florence Falls

144 steps down to the bottom of Florence Falls

After getting to the end of the steps I decided not to go into the water - it was too deep for little old me. I need to be able to touch the bottom. Jennifer and Arnold swam right over to the falls. The force of the falls water hitting the surface of the water causes an enormous spray and draught which takes your breath away (in the words of Jen). Eventually they both managed to stay under or nearly under the falls, but not for long.

From Florence Falls we drove to Wangi Falls. These falls are not as high but beautiful nonetheless. We had taken a picnic lunch which we had at Wangi before we ventured into the water. I managed to go in the water and it was so nice. About halfway in there was a sandbar and I could stand up.

After a refreshing swim we dried off. By this time it was 4.00pm and time to head back to Batchelor. All in all it was a most satisfying day.... and so say all of us!!! The next blog will be from Mary River Roadhouse and Gumlon Falls. Bye for now.