20th June: Katherine to Cooinda Gagudju Lodge Campground
From Katherine, we headed north our first stop being Leliyn (Edith Falls) where we did the walk to the top falls - a delightful spot and one well worth spending a bit more time at.
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| Leliyn (Edith Falls) |
From there we entered Kakadu National Park. Unfortunately, a lot of the roads are still closed, not having been repaired after the wet. The only way we would see Jim Jim and the Twin Falls, for instance, would be from the air, so the plan is to take a flight over Kakadu from Jabiru when we return from Cobourg. We arrived at Cooinda after lunch and decided to stay the night so that we could take the early morning (6:45am) cruise at Yellow Waters (one of those "must do! " things in Kakadu). They didn't tell us about the mosquitoes which were just terrible that night - must remember to get mosquito coils at Jabiru.
21st June: Cooinda Gagudju Lodge Campground to Garig Ganuk Barlu National Park (Coburg Peninsula)
The cruise made up for the mosquitoes. It was excellent and we saw our first saltwater crocodiles in the wild - quite amazing creatures swimming along minding their own business right beside the boat. The birdlife was amazing - a sea eagle catching a fish, two brolgas in their nest, among other things. To top it off we had a very nice breakfast at the resort as part of the price.
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| Cruise at Yellow Waters |
From Cooinda it was off to Jabiru to fuel up for the 300+ km trip to the Cobourg. We were told we had to make Cahill's Crossing before the tide came in but that turned out to be a bit of a non-event as the water was quite low. As a reminder that it is not always the case, there was a twin cab ute on its roof just below the crossing - having been washed off not too far in the past. Just north of the crossing, we entered an area of wetlands and incredible escarpments. The trip was worth it just for that.
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| Arnhem land just north of Cahill's Crossing |
After travelling through Arnhem land for some hours, on a fairly corrugated track, we turned to the north-west and entered Garig Ganak Barlu National Park (still 100km from camp). Our camp spot was fairly open having not yet recovered from Cyclone Ingrid which went through the area a few years back.
22nd June: Garig Ganuk Barlu National Park (Coburg Peninsula)
National Parks had put up shade sails to provide shelter which was much appreciated as the temperature is rising as we head north. For the next few days, we lazed around and explored the area - The Coastal Drive, Wetland's Drive, fishing at Caiman Creek (no fish). An Interesting sign on the track just near our camp informed us "Caution Crocodiles Crossing". We didn't see any though.
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| Garig Ganak Barlu National Park |
23rd June: Garig Ganuk Barlu National Park (Coburg Peninsula)
At the rangers office, there was an interesting display of the history of the area. This is where the first settlement (Victoria) was set up in Northern Australia. It failed after ten years, mainly because of sickness and damage from cyclones. Banteng cattle were bought over from Indonesia when the settlement was set up and are still found on the peninsula today. We did see some but they are pretty shy. Was great to see Jabirus, Brolgas and Red Tail Black Cockatoos.
24th June: Garig Ganuk Barlu National Park (Coburg Peninsula)
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| Garig Ganak Barlu National Park |
25th June: Garig Ganuk Barlu National Park (Coburg Peninsula) to Kakadu Lodge Caravan Park
This morning we head back from Cobourg to Jabiru where we stayed at Kakadu Lodge Caravan Park.
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| Arnhem Land |
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| Cahill's Crossing |
There is a swimming pool at the caravan park which is much appreciated seeing it is not safe to swim elsewhere. The sea at Cobourg was very inviting but there are signs up everywhere - Be croc wise - no swimming.
26th June: Kakadu Lodge Caravan Park
Today's activity is a one hour flight over Kakadu. Quite spectacular. We flew as far south as Jim Jim and Twin Falls and flew quite low for much of the time.
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| Kakadu National Park |
On the way back we flew over the Ranger Uranium mine and followed that up with a mine tour that afternoon - very informative. The mine certainly is a scar on the environment. Not sure what one thinks about it being here blotting the countryside as opposed to the benefit it brings to the local and national economy etc.
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| Ranger Uranium Mine |
Tomorrow we are off to see aboriginal art at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rocks. From there it's off to Litchfield Park and then Darwin. Life is busy.
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