26th June Lake Argyle Western Australia

At our camp site last evening,,we had visitors, Brahman cattle.

Th ground was approximately 1 inch deep of powered red dust! Every step you took created a dust storm, imagine the state of sandles and feet. We stayed outside & read until dark, to make the most of the breeze. A young family camped beside us in a Britz Motor home, they were from Paris, a little girl of 4 and a baby about 9 months. They have been in Australia for 4 months, staying 6 months. Their parents are meeting them here for part of their trip. I think they are amazing, as are all the people travelling with young children.

We left at 9 am and and 130 k down the road we arrived at the WA border

The inspector checked, the boot of our vehicle and then the van......looked in cupboards, drawers, fridge for any fruit or vegetable and honey. I was surprised he didn't look under the bed or bathroom. I had made sure I had nothing to declare. Then we had a surprise as we took off, the car clock want back 1 & 1/2 hours. We had forgotten about this so we were too early to arrive at Lake Argyle which was only 40 k away. So we went into Kununurra & called at Coles Supermarket to replenish the fresh fruit & veg and up the Blog and download emails and the newspaper. No phone or connection at Argyle ( only between 4.30 & 6pm)

Arrived at the most spectacularly beautiful place, Lake Argyle in the Kimberly National Park. The ruggard rocky hills and mountains and the biggest fresh water lake in Australia.

Night comes early here, sunset sky show starts at 4.30 and best viewed by the infinity swimming pool.

To add to the view a sightseeing helicopter landed on que 

And the 'beautiful people' played in this amazing pool as the sun set.

A master piece.

Tomorrow is another day with a new story.

25th June. Free Camp NT

They grow them big up here in the NT,

One day we will park our van the right way, need to face south to have sunshade in the afternoon. I did stress.....one day. We end up sitting all round the van to catch shade and breeze.

Yippee I've found both by sitting at the back, it's 3pm NT time.

Yesterday was quite a big day...well for us! Left Kakadu National Park, on to Pine Creek to Katherine to park with hundreds of other caravans to visit, chemist, supermarket and most importantly, to vote in the Narions General Election. Oh yes and to post the 'Post Cards' to our 4 youngest grandchildren. On to a Free camp Vince Coonelly Rest Area with toilets and water. The area was full by dark.

Today's drive has seen a change in the terrain, huge outcrops of rock, rocky hill/mountains with wonderful rock line formation as if done by hand. One huge plateau looked to have been built in layers with what looked like a road built 100 metres below the top and set out on the edge. The Master Builder created a land of vast difference. The vegetation doesn't change much, still Termite Mounds, but not as big. There are a lot of Boab Trees now and they are even in front of me as it write.

They have bulb like trunks, this is a small one, I will post huge ones later on.

We stopped at the Victoria River for the obligitary 'pit' stop, and to view the river.

There a numerous markers along the way, this was was to commentate the building of a road at Wave Rock viewing site.

Had to be a BIG boy to move that!

Now for our last night in NT, cross the boarder into WA tomorrow and go to Lake Argyle.

Thanks Jan for the enjoyable and entertaining version of your trip. My dainty little legs wouldn't be able to cross stepping stones across mighty rivers like your sweet little toes do. Mountain climbing and all, well done.

23 June. Cooinda, Kakadu

Up at 5.45am!    Yes it's true

Caught the little shuttle bus along with about120 others for the 5 min drive to the jetty on The Yellow River where there were 4 cruise boats waiting to take us all for a 2 hr cruise on the river. It was magical 

Yes that's the moon as we set out but the scene soon changed

Nature at its best. We had a very good Captain/Host/Commentator, he was part Aboriginal and therefore had such an affinity with the area. He knew all the wild life and talked about the annual flooding in the wet season which raises the river by about 3 metres. This is the beginning of the dry and a lot of the wildlife is returning. We saw crocodile, 

No it's not a floating log. 

Thousands of whistling ducks

The dark line below the tree and above the waterline are ducks, and as I said, there are thousands.

There were wild horses, with birds on their backs in the grass of the wetlands. There are also wild pig and buffalo but we didn't see any today.

The water lilies are huge and just starting to flower, Our guide said the seed within the pod is good bush tucker 

A truely worth getting up early for trip

Back to the cafe for a beautiful breakfast, serve yourself, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, potato cakes, baked beans, toast, cereal, juice, yogurt, 3 different sorts of fruit as well as fresh fruit. Tea & coffee. A super Brunch.

The rest of the day has been, planning the next few days as we cross the boarder to Western Australia, no fresh fruit or vegetables or honey can be taken over. And yes we are to be thoroughly checked. They search the car an van at the quarantine station., we have 2 more nights until we cross over, calling at Katerine again, just to vote in the country's election and visit the supermarket!

So it goodbye to Kakadu another of Australia's highlights.

22nd June. Coolinda, Yellow River, Kakadu.

Another day, another caravan park, 

Oh dear, life is so hard. It was only 54k so we were here before opening time, 10am, and we were 4th in line. We had all come from Jabiru!!

As soon as we had set up we took off in search of 'Waterfalls'.........we found one little billabong that didn't justify a photo and our beautiful car turned red with the dust from the corrugated roads. Try another road to Jim Jim falls and Twin Falls..... After 20 k there was a sign that said 70k to our destination. The roads were rough so we hightail it back to Cooinda, had an icecream (something that has become unusual), checked our bookings for the morning and spent the afternoon chatting to neighbours. Brian was able to watch State of Origin (football) on the big screen (no TV) with half the campers. Queensland won. Off to bed straight after because it's up early tomorrow.

20th June. Jabiru NT.

Back on line. 

18th we drove to Bark Hut & booked for 3 nights...... Mistake. We understood this was the 'hopping' off spot for Airboat and cruises on the Mary River. Well it was about 50 k one way to a place that said 'Oh, we don't have airboats ' it was in the brochure!, no cruises running, you have to pre book. 

OK, 19th we set off in the other direction, 75k!! To be told Oh you have to book., On another 15 k to a resort that had a different answer....... We have Airboats, it's only $300.00 for 90 minutes, but that goes at 7.30am .   We have cruises but they are for resident guests and you could join one if you pre book.! Back to the van and looked up where to go the next day, couldn't find anything as Bark Hut is only a Pub & Caravan Park, so we decided to forgo our next night and move on to Jabiru.

I forgot to say, most of that driving was on very good unpaved roads with plenty of red dust. We did see the Mary river

And the Wildman Resort accommodation 

Natural air conditioning.

One interesting spot we stopped for a photo opportunity 

This is typical of the vegetation in the area

I am in continual admiration of the explorers who found their way through all this then built roads.

Today we came 130k to Jabiru Tourist park, it's so big they don't even take bookings, there is always room. A very small town and most of the tourist things require 'WALKING', it's a place where we have to buy a National Park permit, which we have & tomorrow we will go Driving through the area. We went to the Kakadu Information Centre which was most interesting and enlightening.

This was one of their displays

A log boat actually floating in water within in the centre.

The exciting part of Kakadu is further south, we have booked to stay at Coolinda & cruise the Yellow River on a breakfast cruise.

Good night. It's bed time.

17th June. Darwin Sunset Cruise.

Oh what a beautiful night. 

We went on the Sunset Cruise of Darwin Harbour. Had to be at the wharf 5pm for 5.30 departure. There were 6 of us on the top deck and it turned out to be great company. No names exchanged, one couple from Bega & the other from Perth.

Just taking off.

We passed the Northern Territory Parliment, known as The Wedding Cake.......because it's square, white, full fruit and nuts mixed with alcohol!

Just one of the shipping, there were a lot of cruise boats and small craft.

The Navy dock yards were impressive, the guardians of our coast line.

Prawn Platter has arrived. My Mothers Day gift from Jocelyn.

It was delicious & such a setting, how special.

Now the sun is setting, breathtaking.

Now it's gone.

Back to the wharf in the dark at 8pm.

The cruise boat, it can seat 50 for dinner. You can choose, BYO drinks & nibbles, Prawn Platter or 4 course meal.

A perfect way to complete our Darwin experience.

17th June. Darwin.

Yesterday our car had its 20.000 service & while Brian was away I did the chores. In the afternoon we went for a drive in the surrounding countryside, we would still be there if it wasn't for GPS. Talk about getting lost........even went on dusty roads after the car being washed during its service. It was the first wash since we left home. Poor Izusu. 

We had a lovely roast of beef done in the Baby Weber, spuds were wonderful also!

Today I was Brian's Barber again!

Couldn't make out why the woman next to us stayed in her van all day with the air conditioning on. I had a good guess.....and I was right. She is a nurse, on night shift and has just bought the 4 wheel drive & a pop top caravan to live in. She is on her own & is looking for a less expensive caravan site to live permanently, or until she can start travelling.

We have come into the city, ready for our Sunset Cruise on the Harbour with Prawn platter!

This is the sight I am seeing if I look up....

Right out to the ocean. To think this beautiful sight has been destroyed twice. How sad.

To my Craft/Card making friends in Phillip Island, have a wonderful weekend, I will be thinking of you over the whole weekend, but I'm not envying your weather. We are 33 degrees!

I will report on our Cruise at a later date. On to Bark Hut tomorrow for 3 nights.