Mount Isa - 16.09.2012 to 18.09.2012

Mount Isa is a large outback town in Queensland notably known for its lead, copper, zinc and silver mining. The population is about 22,000 and offers all conveniences a local or traveller may want. We decided to stay here a couple of days, as the hatch on our caravan had fallen off somewhere between the NT and Queensland border, so new ones were being sent from Melbourne.

Crowey decided to go on an underground mining tour and really enjoyed the experience. The mine comprises of 1.2 kms of tunnels, each tunnel approx 4 metres high and 4 metres wide, big enough to take a 50 tonne mucking unit through. The mine tour shows the machinery they use underground and the tour is taken by someone who has actually worked the mines.

The lookout over Mount Isa gives a 360 degree view and has a global signpost showing directions and distances to several major cities, including international.

We decided to move on after a couple of days, instead opting for the hatches to be sent to Cairns.

The rest of NT 14.09.2012 to 15.09.2012

After Kakadu we headed back to Katherine but stopped along the way to go to Gunlom Falls (still within Kakadu) and though it was a steep climb up, the swim and scenery made it worth it.

 

even the goanna was enjoying this spot

,After stocking up at Katherine we stopped in a free camp just north of Mataranka. There was an interesting site at this camp, a bowerbirds nest. I have never seen one in the wild and it was absolutely amazing what this little male bowerbird had arranged in his bower (nest), preparing to attract a mate. He had built an avenue type of bower made of two walls of vertically placed sticks. In and around the bower he had placed many objects including stones, bits of foil and it appears that green was his colour of choice with green glass from bottles scattered around, towards and in the nest. Crowey thought he would try and help the little fellow get a "root". So he found a sprite can (green in colour) and cut the can into little bits and spread them from his bower and also some next to the caravan where we were sitting. It wasn't that long before he appeared in a tree next to us, casting his eyes downward towards the bits of cut up can. Next thing we know he jumps down and chooses a piece of the can and flys off to add it to his nest. I took a photo at the time when he picked up the piece of can and I had to have a laugh when I actually saw the piece he had selected, it was the barcode from the can.

The bower

The bowerbird and his barcode

Moving on the next day we thought we would check out the Mataranka hot springs (bitter springs) which were lovely and warm. We continued on our way though and towards The Three Ways turnoff but dropped into the infamous Daly Waters Pub
This pub was originally a store to service travellers, settlers and drovers. It was give a jug licence in 1938. In the World War 2 it played a significant part in the protection of the Northern Australian coastline where Australian and American air forces were based. Today though the pub is just a welcome destination for travellers, offering cold beer and food, though the it is well known for its memorabilia adorning the walls from Irish football jerseys to bras, jocks, hats, wherever you look there is something interesting to read or ponder its origin (or not).

From here we went into Tennant Creek, mainly to get fuel which was about 9 cents a litre cheaper than Three Ways turnoff. We had a bite to eat just to check out Tennant Creek and it appears the local AFL club team where in the finals as nearly every car was painted red and blue, their local team colours. Not much to see here so off we headed for another free camp spot for the night, just before the NT/QLD border.

Kakadu (or don't?) 11.09.2012 to 14.09.2012

Along our travels we have heard the expression Kakadu or Kakadon't. Though we like to hear the opinions of fellow travellers, I remember my mum telling me before we began our travels that you should always listen politely to the views of others with where to go and where not to go, then.......................................just do what the bloody hell you want! And that is exactly how we viewed Kakadu. We didn't hold too many expectations for Kakadu, especially that we were seeing this infamous part of Australia towards the end of the dry season. We first journeyed to Ubirr, one of Kakadu's most famous rock art galleries. A moderately steep climb takes you to a rocky outlook with views across the floodplains, which may not have been so flooded when we where there, but still the view was magnificient. The aboriginal rock art was something that I have never seen to the extent that it presented itself here and it was very impressive.

The Caravan parks in Kakadu give you a resort like feel. With grassed sites, huge swimming pools and a place to enjoy an evening meal. A few days at Jabiru was very comfortable and with temperatures of 39, the pool a favorite place to chill out. After a few days we decided to do the Yellow Water early morning cruise where it is home to crocodiles, birds and wildlife. The billabong here floods to join other waterways in the wet season and attracts millions of birds. Paperbark forests, pandanus and freshwater mangroves line the banks and the water is dotted with beautiful pink and white lillies. We set off about 7.00am and there was a touch of fog on the water which created an eerie feel, but soon lifted and the birdlife we saw was really quite magical. Of course there were crocs sitting on the banks with big smiles on their faces and the water was as still, creating a serene and beautiful experience as our guide took us along the billabong. Our guides love of birds was evident and it was exciting to be part of this journey along with him. Words or pictures do not explain the experience of this tour, but some photos may put it in perspective.

setting off

sun rising above the fog

Magpie Geese amongst whistling ducks

heron and ibis

white bellied eagle

killer

how serene

gorgeous little kingfisher

Azure kingfisher

comb-crested jacana (can you see the three chicks?)

water lillies

So all in all we enjoyed Kakadu, knowing that we would come back here again, but perhaps just after the wet season next time to really enjoy what this magical place has to offer.

Darwin 29.08.12 to 10.09.2012

After our hard slog (lol) at Litchfield National Park we head north to the lovely city of Darwin where we decide to base ourselves for about a week to make sure we explore all of the surrounds. Darwin offers some great things to do and see, but an easy city to get around and see the sights. It is getting quite warm now with most days getting up to 38 degrees and just a touch of humidity in the air. If you start doing stuff the sweat just starts pissing out of you, good for the skin though. Midgies have been an eye opener for us here. Those tiny little insects that you can't see and feel, bite you all the time until you wake up in the middle of the night and want to scratch the hell out of those itchy bites. We soon wisened up to them, covering up, spraying everything imaginable on them and not becoming complacent even in the mornings.

One of our first "must do" things in Darwin was the Mindle Beach Markets, which happen every Thursday and Sunday evenings. It is hear where the locals and tourists all gather and not only enjoy the many market stalls of arts, crafts and food but also to sit on the beach and watch the sun go down with some beautiful sunsets to photograph or just sit back and munch on a satay stick, prawn stick or whatever grabs your fancy. We actually went to this market a couple of times during our stay, mostly for the atmosphere, cheap food and a lovely way to watch the sunset, with the sunsets coming in all sorts of colours.

Mmmmmmmm, what will I have??

action at Mindil Markets

 

Amongst our other activities in Darwin were a visit to the Darwin Defence Military Museum  where it told the story of Darwin's role in World War 2. The  Art and Museum of NT showcased some excellent birdlife, wildlife and butterfly exhibits and a tribute to Cyclone Tracy where you could go in a soundproof booth and listen to the sound of what this cyclone sounded like. In 1974 this Cyclone absolutely destroyed Darwin and the exhibition displays some great photos of the ruins.

Back in Katherine Crowey and I had attended a campdraft and we must say that we are getting very much into the cowboy scene (it is amazing what your mind is open to when you travel). It was in Darwin that we decided to indulge ourselves and went and bought ourselves a true dinky di akubra hat. We also found out that there was a Rodeo on that Saturday night, so of course we had to go.

cowboy and cowgirl

Rodeo action

Does he bite?

The boxing Tent

Another of the must do things to go and see, just out of Darwin about an hours drive, is Berry Springs. An absolute delight with swimming pools, waterfall and stunning clear spring water. It was here that we tried out Crowey's new underwater camera and ended up with some interesting shots (and a lot of duds, it will take some getting used to I guess).We actually had a snorkel under the water and we were surprised to see so many fish species here.

beautiful berry springs

Crowey getting in the action



check oout the fish behind Crowey

Reflection of Crowey and a fish swimming past

Crowey in action

Catfish

Over our travels in WA we kept on running into a couple from Canberra, who seemed to travel to all the places we were. Our first sighting of Jeff and Sandra (lovingly called "the pommies") was in Busselton, south WA and many other towns along the way. Darwin was no exception and we were only parked about 4 vans away from them and had a good time socialising with them. All in all we had a good time in Darwin and soaked in the casual feeling of this city.

Jeff and Sandra (The pommies) with Rach