27th June - 1st July: Kakadu to Darwin

27th June:  Kakadu 

The Aboriginal art at Nourlangie (Anbangbang Gallery) was very impressive and we also visited the slightly out of the way site at Nanguluwur (a bit of a walk).  There is a lot of burning off going on at the moment and a fire quite close to the track flared up in the wind and caused us a little concern for a while. 

Nourlangie and Nanguluwur Art Sites

Back to camp at Jabaru for lunch and then out to Cahill's Crossing for the Bardedjilidji Walk - a bit like another lost city formation but this time it looks like pancakes piled up on top of one another.  Part of the walk was along the edge on the East Alligator River but we didn't see any crocodiles.

Bardedjilidji Walk

From there it was on to Ubirr Rock.  Here the paintings are quite faded and it's a bit of a worry that in the not too distant future they will all but disappear.  The sunset, however, was magnificent.  From the top of the rocks you are looking over the wetlands and the sun on the landscape made everything quite spectacular.

Ubirr Rock

28th June:  Kakadu to Litchfield Safari Camp

We set off early for Adelaide River where they have the Jumping Crocodile Tours.  There are plenty of crocodiles and they do jump.  They also fed a white-breasted sea eagle and whistling and black kites.  We were a bit disappointed with this cruise - it somehow seemed "artificial and unnatural" when compared to the Yellow River cruise a few days ago (and very commercial).  

Adelaide River

Lunch was at Fogg Dam where we say a crocodile along with a brolga, ducks, cormorants etc.

A fuel up at Humpty Doo and on to Litchfield National Park.  The plan was to camp at Tjeranera Waterhole (Sandy Creek) but it was only a small camping area and was full so we ended up at Litchfield Safari Park for the night.

29th June:  Litchfield Safari Camp

Today it was off to Blythe Homestead but one of our vehicles got stuck in a creek crossing so there was a rethink after it was out with snatchem straps for the extraction.   We went on to the Magnetic Termite mounds (cleaver the way the termites build their nests to get full advantage of the sun) and then to Burley Rockhole and Florence Falls.  

Tolmer Falls

There ware so many people in Litchfield and no parking so it was on to  Wangi Falls instead.  It was the morning for problems apparently as, as we were coming out of Florence Fall another of the vehicles had problems - a flat tyre.  

Termite Mounds and Wangi Falls

Wangi Falls are very pretty with an additional walk through a tropical rainforest area.  Unfortunately, there was no swimming as there was a crocodile in the pool which hadn't yet been relocated (apparently they do that after each wet season).

30th June:  Litchfield Safari Park to Darwin

This morning we packed up for the trip to Darwin.  

Called in to have a look at Florence Falls and Batchelor on the way and then to a carwash to make the very dirty cars and campers a little cleaner for our four days in Darwin.

1st July: Darwin

We arrived in Darwin yesterday afternoon and last night went to the Deckchair Theatre to see "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".  The theatre is a Darwin icon.  Nice to sit outside to watch a movie.  We're impressed with what we have seen of Darwin so far and are here until Monday morning so no doubt will see a lot more.  

Darwin

On Thursday we did some shopping in the morning and then met for an enjoyable lunch at Fishermen's wharf - fish and chips of course.  After lunch, we wandered around the city and checked out the mall.  Quite a few impressive buildings including Parliament House and Government House.

There are some remaining buildings from pre-Cyclone Tracey but not many.  Also walked down to the waterfront which has recently been developed - Convention Centre, wave pool, another safe swimming area, residential blocks etc.  Then back to the caravan park for a quick shower before heading back into the city to Mindil Beach for the sunset market and fireworks to celebrate Territory Day - Today (the day the Northern Territory gained self-rule).   

Unfortunately, another million people had the same idea.  It was very crowded but we managed to find a spot to sit on the beach and watch the fireworks.

Mindil Markets and fireworks off Mindle Beach

Because fireworks are on sale only on Territory Day the 'private' fireworks continued on all night - some only a few hundred metres away on Casuarina Beach until 4 am in the morning.  Fortunately, we are good sleepers.