Well another week on the road, no not so much. There is a lot of humidity in the top end at the moment with the prospect of a La Nina, leaving the locals to believe it could be an early and big wet this year.
We know that you guys are freezing down home but we are getting 36-degree days and the humidity is high for this time of the year. At the time of writing my blog I am sitting at Woolianna on the Daly River in my swimmers with the 12-volt fan on high. Its too hot to sit in the sun and any movement of air warm or otherwise is greatly appreciated. Where is George you ask? In the van with the air con running. Cannot pay out on him too much as I have been doing a fair bit of that this week.
Day 50 – Wagait Beach
So today we had to venture back into Darwin to get George’s back attended to before heading off into the unknow again. Unfortunately, this trip is a 90-minute trip each way, so it took up most of the day. However, we managed to stop for a coffee at Coolinga and pick up our post from home (thanks Caitlin and Mel), then onto to the physio, a bit of shopping at Palmerston and back to Wagait for swim and relax before tomorrow’s pack up.
Day 51 – Wagait Beach to Batchelor – 122klms
So, after setting off from Wagait Beach we headed south again towards Batchelor and Litchfield National Park for the new few days.
Batchelor is a very small town and is the main access poi t for the beautiful and popular Litchfield National Park. We stopped at the local supermarket (general store) for bread and small milk, $12.50 later decided whilst it is good to support small towns, they can also hurt the hip pocket.
So, we decided not to stay in Litchfield National Park as the weather was hotting up and there were limited powered sites in the park (no generators allowed). We settled on the Banyan Tree Caravan Park which was recommended to us by Mark and Kim back at Wagait as it had shady van sites. Thanks for the recommendation, it was a great place to base ourselves for a couple of days and the fees were reasonable. The other upside was the pub at the front of the park.
So, after setting up our site, we jumped in the car and headed up to Wanji Falls about a 40klm drive from the van park. Wanji Falls flow all the time and tumble into a large swimming hole. There is a 3.2klm return trip walking trail through rainforest to the top of the falls and back to the swimming hole however at 36 degrees and high humidity neither of us were in for that. I took a dip in the swimming hole and we took a short stroll round to the viewing platforms.
From Wanji Falls, we headed back to the van park with stops at Tolmer Falls. These falls cascade over two high escarpments into a deep plunge pool. The caves at the base of the falls are home to Ghost Bats ad Orange Horseshoe Bats. We took the short walk out to the viewing platform which gave us a great view of the cave and the gorge. The NT sure know how to look after their National Parks and make them accessible to the public.
From Tolmer Falls we were going to have a look at the Lost City, but it was closed due to roadworks, so we proceed back to the van with short stop at the magnetic termite mounds. There were hundreds of mounds, about two metres high. The mounds thin edges point north south while their wide sections face east-west. It is believed that they form in this way as a kind of built in temperature control mechanism. By being arrow and facing north south they allow only the smallest possible area to be exposed to the sun.
After getting back to the van we had a quick relax and headed up to the pub for happy hour – 5pm for $5.00 drinks. We did only intend to stay for drinks but met up with other campers and a couple of “locals”, so our drinks turned into pizza as well. It was a great night of listening and laughter.
Day 52 – Litchfield National Park – Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls
Well another cracking day. We had our first dew this morning for quite a few weeks. The early mornings are much cooler, and I enjoy getting up early and having my coffee outside before everyone starts moving around.
Today we packed a picnic lunch and drinks and headed back into the National Park. Our first stop was Buley Rockhole. This is a series of waterfalls and roc holes suitable for swimming and for the adventurous you can walk from here to Florence Falls. We had a quick look around here but no swim as it was busy with backpackers and kids.
From here we headed up to Florence Falls. Florence Falls is a double waterfall which fall into a beautiful swimming hole. We took to the 1.1klm rainforest walk into the falls as it was cooler and after a really refreshing swim, we ate lunch and relaxed in the rainforest setting for a couple of hours.
We then decided to take the 165-step ascent back to the car park. Thank goodness for the kind person who put platforms for resting. My knees still have not forgiven me, but it was truly worth it once we got to the viewing platform at the top which looked over the waterfalls and the swimming hole.
We then drove back to the van park and I washed my poor car and relaxed around the van for the night.
Day 53 – Batchelor to Adelaide River and back
We decided to chill out today and take a drive down to Adelaide River. Again, this is a small town but has the only Australian War Cemetery. During WWII, Adelaide River was the headquarters of large military base and the Cemetery is for the burial of servicemen and women who died in this part of Australia. The Cemetery was so well kept and whilst a sad place it was very serene.
Another quite afternoon back at the van, a quick drink for happy hour and back to the van for dinner.
Day 54 – Batchelor to Daly River – Woolianna on the Daly River – 140.4klms.
We were so indecisive about weather we would come here or not and believe me after turning of the Stuart Highway on to Dorat Road, I was not the most popular person in the car and we very nearly didn’t get here. The Dorat Road whilst tared was very narrow and undulating. In the car we would not have blinked but towing the van behind us it made the trip like being on a roller coaster or more like a bouncing ball. After 70klms of this, if the Daly River Road was like that George was going to pull the pin. However, as luck had it the road was good so onwards and upwards.
We arrived at Woolianna on the Daly River at about lunch time and were greeted by Adrian, the owner who found us a beautiful shady site for our two-night stop. After setting up, Ian the new caretakers for the next 8 or 9 months introduced himself and gave us some tips on fishing etc. His next sentence was “Do you know Dale and Bob Denton from Ulladulla”. Really people!! Yep sure do and guess what, Ian is Dale’s brother. Well Dale both Ian and his partner are alive and well in the top end, been here for two weeks and he promised to ring you!! It turns out Ian lives in Wallaga Lake my “peaceful” place in this world and use to run the Lake Tabourie Caravan Park. The park also had people from Tuross Heads and Wollongong staying.
We took a quick drive into the Daly River Pub and the Nauiyu Community and then back to the van park where I tried my hand at fishing but whilst getting a few bites did not have any success. Ian told us that they have been catching sharks in the river and the park has a wonderful pontoon from which you can fish which means you are safe from the crocs.
I also enjoyed a lovely swim before joining other campers for a quick “happy hour” and then back to the van for dinner.
Day 55 – Daly River
One of the ladies last night asked me what we were going to do today. I said “nothing” and that is exactly what we did. I enjoyed a sleep in, late brekky, catch up on finances and bills, a swim, lunch, blogging, another swim, fishing, happy hour a bed. So, enjoyed today. It too was a lot cooler this morning with a nice breeze but heated up again in the arvo. What did George do you ask? Much the same but delete swimming and substitute napping.
Day 56 – Daly River to Katherine
So packed up and headed back into Katherine for an overnight stop. Its still hot but not as humid. Give me the coast and the ocean any day!!
Well we still aren’t sure which we are headed next week. Definitely South as going West from Katherine will only see us halted at the WA Border. Once we get back down to the Three ways it will be toss a coin, South or East. Stay tuned.
It is promising to see that Victoria’s Covid cases are falling. That has been my biggest concern for the last 8 weeks because if one or both of the boys got really sick what would we do. Thank goodness so far that is not an issue.
We have met lots of really nice people travelling around, some really unusual characters and on the whole are having a great time. I know you are going to groan, but looking forward to some cooler weather!!
Love to all.
