2016 Holidays - Day 21 to 26

Day 21 – Pine Creek to Jabiru

Yet another fine day dawned and we head off to Kakadu today. After reading the Road Closures provided by the motel yesterday we have found out that we cannot get to Gunlom Pool as the road is “recommended for 4WD only” following the late wet season and recent rain. A disappointment but nothing can be done about it. Gunlom Pool is a place that Les has been to before when it was called UPD Falls. It was also made famous in the Crocodile Dundee movies where Mick Dundee says about native food “.. you can live on it but it tastes like s***..”.

First stop today was the shop across the road to get our Kakadu Park Pass. The pass has just gone up from $25 per person for 14-day pass to $40 per person for 7-day pass!!! After getting the pass sorted we headed to Kakadu. After passing the Gunlom turnoff we stopped at Bukbukluk Lookout for a short walk and a few photos. This area had recently been burnt and the new growth is coming through. When we passed over the South Alligator River we noticed a large number of kites (birds of prey) so stopped to have a look at them and the river. A small river about 10 feet across and flowing gently and clear (more on this later). 

Termite Nest

South Alligator River (refer later picture)

Birds of Prey at South Alligator River

Next stop was Anbangbang Billabong where we were going to have lunch but seeing how high the water was and that there were “large lizards” (ie crocodiles) in the area we gave it a miss – after Joy was brave (or silly) enough to get out of the car to take a photo of the sign that said it wasn’t safe! 

Not the safest place for lunch!!!!

Lunch was at Nourlangie Rock at the only picnic table and thankfully it was in the shade as it was now 38 degrees!! After lunch we did the short walk of 1.5 km (the other is 12 km) to see some very spectacular aboriginal art, and up to the lookout. 

Art at Nourlangie Rock

Nourlangie Rock

On to Jabiru to book into our accommodation. The back tyre was a bit low so topped it up at the servo. We had booked a Bush Bungalow which only has fans ie no air con but as we are feeling the heat Les upgraded us to the only self-contained cabin left that had air con in the bedrooms and private ensuite although it is outside. It meant the price went from $135 per night to $250 per night but everything in Kakadu is expensive.

After unpacking and having a bit of a rest for an hour or so we decided to visit Ubirr to see more rock art and maybe stay for sunset from the top of the rock. 

Road to Ubirr

We stopped at Cahill’s Crossing which is the entry to Arnhem Land (permit required) and at high tide has lots of crocodiles eating barramundi. 

Cahill's Crossing

We were there at low tide!!! But we did see a few cars go across, and one of them looked like just a normal car, and if the tide had been any higher, it would have been touch-and-go for it.

On to Ubirr and walked ½ the walk and climbed to the top of Ubirr and watched the sunset over the flood plains. There were probably 50/100 people watching the sunset – some had even brought nibblies with them (no champagne, beer or wine, though, as alcohol is not permitted there)!!! 

After sunset we all headed back down and headed for home. A 40 km drive back to Jabiru in the dark. Hit or ran over several frogs (you heard then thump as you run over them), side swiped a bird of some type that came at us from the side and almost hit a 2^nd one – the birds flew at us and we couldn’t do anything about it. Also saw several snakes on the road. Home at about 6:35 and still 35 degrees.

Day 22 – Jabiru

Had a fairly lazy day today. Had breakfast outdoors. Went to Bowali Visitor Centre to use the free Wi-Fi. The café was closed and so was the souvenir shop. Used the Wi-Fi as it was still available. Loaded blog and checked emails. Back at cabin at 12:15 and already 32 degrees. Had lunch and Les did more Trip Advisor reviews and Joy did cross-stitch.

At 3:00 pm we headed off to Cooinda to do the Yellow Waters Sunset Cruise. On the bus at 4:10 and the boat by 4:30. Cruised around the river and flood plains for 2 hours sighting many birds and several crocodiles, and also lots and lots of very pretty water lilies. Very informative and entertaining guide. He showed us how to put on the life jacket but said it was only because it was law to show us. He said if you did go overboard drowning was the least of your worries!!! The Yellow Waters Cruise is the only way to see the flood plains and what it has to offer and the sunset one is probably the best one (although some would say the sunrise one is just as good). Because it was still sunny but the sun was low in the sky it was very hot on the boat unless we were in the shade of the trees. Drank lots of water!

Day 23 – Jabiru to Darwin

Woke up this morning and checked the back tyre to find it almost flat. Changed the tyre and put on the space saver tyre (useless invention) and drove to service station. They have a workshop and was able to arrange for the tyre to be fixed (screw in the tread). Back to the cabin for breakfast and then back to get repaired tyre. They changed the tyre and put the original back on the car.

Back to the cabin for a shower and finished packing the car. Stopped at bakery in town for bread rolls, and treats for morning tea, and left Jabiru at 9:25 so only 25 minutes behind schedule. Stopped at Mamukala Wetlands and walked to the bird hide for a quick look. Not many birds around probably better early morning and late night.

Morning tea at South Alligator River. Remember back a few days we passed over “A small river about 10 feet across and flowing gently and clear”. Well now it is about 200/250 metres wide and very brown. It also had a huge flow but the flow was going upstream! It was the tide coming in. The tide can be as high as 7 metres up here!!! Also saw Mud Skippers.

South Alligator River, refer photo on day 21.

Saw Pretty Faced Wallaby by the side of the road (alive not road kill!!). Lunch was at the picnic area at Windows on the Wetlands. The building is a National Park building perched on a hill above the Adelaide River and flood plains. Very interesting building and views. Had a poster of about 60/80 Australian Mosquitos. Who thought there were so many? Drove to Fogg Dam but it was fairly plain so did not stop. The walk there that takes you across the dam wall was closed – too risky with the “big lizards” around at the moment. Took some photos of Water Buffalo being farmed.

Arrived in Darwin at 3:00 and after afternoon tea we headed out to do grocery shopping. Back to cabin and still 35 degrees.

One of many roadside fires.

Day 24 - Rest Day, Darwin

Les did the washing which was dry by lunchtime. Les also caught up on Trip Advisor reports. Joy did cross stitch and reading and folding clothes.

Had pre-dinner cheese and Jatz on the deck. Hot and humid day so spent most of the day inside with air con running.

Day 25 – Darwin

Had to be up by 6:30 this morning as car had to go in for service. Headed off just before 7:00 and was 26 degrees already. Arrived at car dealer at 7:15 and had to wait for them to open at 7:30. By then there were about 20 cars waiting. They sell and service 5 different car brands.

Got a Shuttle Bus into Darwin City (about 10 minutes away) and walked to the Waterfront where we had breakfast at The Coffee Club. Joy had scrambled eggs and Les had poached eggs. Nice but not enough toast and a bit expensive. Walked around the waterfront and around the headland to Bicentennial Park. Absolutely sweating by now. No breeze and hot and humid. Headed back into town and did shopping for prescriptions, spectacle cleaner spray and cloth, DVDs and stamps, ice bricks. Had morning tea. Checked out the Photo Gallery of Paul Arnold – kind of like the NT’s version of Ken Duncan.

Shuttle Bus back to collect car and back to cabin. Les did more washing but as there was burning off behind the caravan park did not want to have clothes drying on the line as they would smell smoky so some are in the car in the sun and some hanging up inside.

Fire behind Caravan Park

At 6:00 headed to the restaurant for tea with Les cousin, Althea and her partner Tim.

Day 26 – Darwin and Mindil Markets

Woke to another warm and sunny day. Getting to be a bit of a regular occurrence. Headed off at about 9:00 am and we were going to start at Fannie Bay Goal but it was not open yet so went to Defence of Darwin at East Point. This is part of the Darwin Museum Organisation and tells the story of Darwin in WWII. There are static displays outdoors and in sheds scattered around the complex and also under one of the big guns. There is also an indoor section and they run a display/film in the theatre showing the story of the first raid on Darwin on 19 Feb 1942. The raid on Darwin was the first of about 100 air raids on Australia in 1942-43. A lot more than we ever imagined. Well worth the visit and very interesting. There were some of the Model A Fords in the car park, so we took more photos.

After this and morning tea at the café we decided to skip Fannie Bay Goal as it was very hot and we were running late. Headed to Darwin Museum, where there were more Model A Fords in the car park, and looked at Cyclone Tracey display. Interesting, and it is amazing how they have come back from the destruction. They have a display of after cyclone and now photos which really drives home the impact. Also have a recording of the wind but it did not give the full effect. Had lunch in the café at the museum.

Model A Fords (not the white one!!!!)

Headed back to the cabin to start packing as we leave Darwin tomorrow. At 5:15 caught the bus to Mindil Night Markets and watch the sunset on Fannie Bay. The markets are HUGE and the crowds are even bigger!! Had a quick look before sitting on the beach to wait for the sunset. As per normal you get a spot and then people sit in front of you. There were hundreds of people on the beach with families, etc and a few yahoos decided to start kicking a soccer ball around which takes away from the ambience of the sunset. Then a woman and photographer started taking photos of her doing hand stands on the water’s edge. Exhibitionist!!!  So we picked up our stuff and headed closer to the water to get our shots. After sunset bought some tea, Les had vegie spring roll and fried rice and Joy had squid rings and prawns. Lucky to get a seat to eat tea at. Looked at the rest of the markets and the Model A Fords which we have seen on and off since Daly Waters 1 ½ weeks ago – maybe they are stalking us? Caught the bus back at 8:15. The markets had 60 food and 130 craft vendors. The crowds were just way too big for our liking. We were still glad we went (to see the sunset, and the markets), and definitely glad we got the bus instead of driving ourselves or catching public transport!

Mindil Beach for sunset photos!!!

Sunset at Mindil Beach overlooking Fannie Bay!!

Portable ATM machine at Mindil Beach Markets

What can I say????