Life in a Humpback

Day 48: Katherine to NT/WA Border

Today we started to head west towards the West Australia (WA) border. Along the way we passed through Judbarra (Gregory) National Park - stopping for lunch at the Victoria River Escarpment Trail car park. We then we continued along the Victoria Highway until we were 16km east of the NT/WA border. We stayed the night at the Alex Kellet Rest Area with half a dozen other caravans. We had some lovely campsite neighbours who were very helpful in regards to the quarantine requirements for the boarder crossing in the morning, and Olivia even manged another sale of her bracelets.

Tonight we also had our first outside movie night, with a showing of Wild Robot - Theo's choice.

Day 47: Katherine (Day 2: Theo)

We went on a tour through Cutta Cutta Caves where we saw lots of cool rocks crystals on rocks and a snake but we did not see any bats 🙁. The tree snake was up in a tiny crevasse in the cave. The type of bats that could have been there was a ghost bat and leaf-nosed bat.

Day 47: Katherine (Day 2: Olivia)

Today we went on a cave tour at Cutta Cutta Caves and we saw a brown tree snake. The caves were really big but it gets too warm so we couldn't go all the way in.

We also went on a walk to Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. It wasn't very long and afterwards we went back and got an ice cream.

When we got back to camp we played cricket. All the boys weren't playing properly so I decided to sell my bracelets instead. Some other girls helped me and I made lots of money. We were really busy and there were still people there when I had to stop for dinner.

Day 46: Katherine (Day 1)

Today we headed back north of Katherine to Edith Falls. The kids and John jumped into the bottom pool while I went for a walk up to Bemang Lookout to see the middle and upper pools. When I got back to the bottom pool everyone was out. Olivia was cold so had gone to change but the boys were standing on the edge of the pool looking into a tree. It turned out when they were swimming a few minutes earlier a green tree snake had "swum" across from the far shore straight towards John. Once John realised what it was he moved to the side to let it pass before it slithered out of the water and up a nearby tree. It hung around for a bit so we all got to have a look at it. Not long after we saw another one moving across the water a bit further out.

After all that excitement I headed into the pool for a swim, while John headed out to the waterfall at the other end of the pool. The kids had set themselves up a picnic in the sun to warm up again. When John got back he went up to Bemang Lookout as well before we all headed back to camp for the 3:30pm animal feeding at the farm stay.

The previous night we saw a few of the animals on the farm we are staying at but today we got to find out how many different types there are. We started the feeding tour with the cows, followed by the goats, horse and donkeys. We also got to pet the very cute 3 week old baby goats. Next stop was the emus, where the owner put the pellets into his mouth and let the emus eat out of his mouth. No one else was game to give that a go so opted to keep the pellets in our hands instead. From here we went over to the water buffaloes, pigs (including piglets) and a saltwater crocodile. Then we got to see all of the smaller animals they have, including, sugar gliders, frill neck lizards, several other lizards, snakes, a fresh water crocodile, rabbits and ducks. At the very end of the tour the kids could line up to hold a snake. Olivia jumped into line whereas Theo was happy to watch.

Theo finished off his evening with another game of cricket while Olivia started making lots of friendship bracelets as she is keen to start up a store at our next caravan park.

Day 45: Kakadu National Park to Katherine

Last night it rained on our camp for the first time since we left Adelaide. We had forgotten how loud it sounds on the roof when it is raining heavily, which resulted in everyone sleeping in the next morning. Our first stop was 2 km down the road at the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. This was a great way to wrap up our time in the park. There were several displays on the various stories that we read about at Ubirr and Burrungkuy art sites, and a lot of information on the culture both old and new of the local indigenous groups.

Next we headed back south to the Stuart Highway and had lunch at Pine Creek on our way to Katherine. We rolled into Katherine Farmstay late in the afternoon. We have a great spot next to the pool and playground. Once camp was set up, we had a wander around looking at some of the animals, including emus, turkeys, ostriches, peacocks, water buffalo and goats. After, Theo and Olivia found a few kids to play cricket with before dinner.

The evenings are cooler in Katherine which is a nice change from the Top End. I think we have realised as a family that we don't love the hot nights!

Day 44: Kakadu National Park (Day 3)

Today was our last full day in the park. This time we headed south to Gunlom plunge pool and it's natural infinity pool. It was a dusty, bumpy road in but well worth the effort. Once at the car park we were unable to have a look at the lower plunge pool as it was closed due to a saltwater crocodile that has moved in. We heard that this crocodile has been tricky to catch, so until they do the pool remains closed. Fun fact: this plunge pool is also the location for "Echo Lake" from the original Crocodile Dundee movie.

Since the bottom pool was closed we headed up to the stairs to the upper pools. The water was a perfect temperature not warm like the hot springs and not cold that it took your breath away to get in. We spent several hours hanging around the pools, eating lunch, and the kids spent ages building dams and playing in the water.

This was a lovely way to finish our time in Kakadu National Park.

Day 43: Kakadu National Park (Day 2)

This morning we all got up early to catch the bus to our Sunrise Yellow River Cruise. Once again we ended up in a half filled boat, which meant everyone could move around a bit if they wanted. We headed off with our guide Brock down the Yellow River towards the East Alligator River. We saw lots of crocodiles, black cranes, spoonbills, egrets, Australasian darters, sea eagles, whistling and black kites, both blue and teal kingfishers, and so many more birds.

The highlights of the tour for me where:

• watching the sunrise over the marshlands
• seeing a black crane (Jabiru) walk right past a crocodile seemingly with out a care in the world
• seeing a male comb-crested Jacana (or Jesus bird) walking along the tops of lily pads with his chicks tucked up under his wings with their little legs sticking out.

The Jacana eventually dropped its chicks back onto the lily pads and they were the cutest little balls of fluff.

After such a big morning we headed back to camp for the rest of the morning. We had a good look at the green ants that were living in the tree next to our camp site and caught up on an episode of Cutlaps until going to Burrungkuy art site and lookout in the late afternoon. We read about the lightening man story, saw lots of rock art, and climbed up to the lookout. Then headed back to the car before we melted in the heat.

Day 42: Kakadu National Park (Day 1)

Today I woke up to loud banging on the roof. Cockatoos were going crazy in the trees and dropping leaves and branches onto the caravan. In the morning we went to Cahills Crossing to look at crocodiles. There were so many. We even saw people drive through the water that was covering the road with crocs in the water next to the cars. Then we went to lunch. First we went to a grocery store, then the resort, and than another place I don't know the name of. We finally just got food and drinks at the grocery store. I got a strawberry milk and a croissant. Then we went for a walk to look at rock art at Ubirr (including one of a Tasmanian Tiger) and watched the sunset. Dad and Theo played chess at the lookout.

Day 41: Palmerston to Kakadu National Park

Today we headed out of the big smoke and into Kakadu National Park. Along the way we stopped at Mamukala and walked out to the bird hide to have a look at the wetlands. We saw an azure kingfisher, little masked frogs, dragonflies, lots of egrets, cormorants and even a Australasian Darter.

Our next stop was the Bowali visitors centre to pick up some maps, get a few suggestions of places to go over the next three days, and look around the displays of the flora and fauna of the park. Soon after leaving the visitors centre we pulled into camp at Cooinda Lodge and the kids headed straight to the pool to cool off.

This is the first place that we have stayed at where the mozzies were really bad and not just annoying. So we had dinner inside the screened camp kitchen rather than braving it back at the caravan.

Day 40: Darwin (Day 4)

This morning we had a quiet one around camp before heading into the Darwin Waterfront. Our first stop was lunch on Stokes Hill Wharf followed by a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tourist Facility. They had a display on the bombing of Darwin Wharf during WWII and on the Flying Doctor history. There were lots of VR displays, which the kids really enjoyed. We all learned a lot about the war and the Service!

Next stop was the wave pool at the Darwin Waterfront. We spent a few hours floating in the waves then headed over to Mindil markets for dinner and the sunset. We all picked our dinner from the various food trucks and wandered through the market, where the kids got a grain of rice with their names written on it. After getting a round of slushies we headed down to the beach to watch the sunset. It was very, very busy so we walked down to a quieter end to watch the sun drop into the water.