5th - 8th July: Darwin to Victoria River Homestead

5th July:  Darwin to Douglas Daly Homestead

After leaving Darwin we called in at the Territory Wildlife Park - an amazing place and certainly something to put on the must-see list.  

Territory Wildlife Park

Everything from feeding whip rays (I didn't even know that there were freshwater rays), a raptor and other bird displays to a nocturnal house, aquarium and some very well built aviaries, one which you walk through.  Because of the abundance of wildlife in this area, the displays were very impressive.  Nice to get close and personal with a Jabiru and a crocodile.

From there we drove on to the Douglas Daly Tourist Park, calling in at the Fenton Airfield along the way.  

Fenton Airfield

This airfield was a major strategic point during World War II (and was bombed several times) and the runway was still in very reasonable condition considering its age.  There wasn't much else to see, however.  We had had a few light showers during the day and that night had quite a heavy shower of rain.  Canvas was still wet when we packed up in the morning.  

6th July:  Douglas Daly Homestead to Katherine

Our treat for the morning was a soak in the thermal pools in the Douglas River - the water was very hot and you had to move closer to where the cold was running in before you could immerse yourself.  It was very enjoyable.  

Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park

From there it was on to Pine Creek where we were told Maysie's had great cakes.  Others bought cake and Jill bought a gluten-free muffin.  A quick look at the railway museum after lunch and we were on our way to Katherine where we again stopped at the Springvale Homestead.  It was much more crowded this time then it had been on the way up and ablutions etc did not get a very high rating.

7th July:  Katherine

Up early this morning for the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) Cruise.  It is a beautiful Gorge.  We travelled to the third gorge and it was necessary to walk between each of them and catch another boat.  Saw a freshwater crocodile but no salties.

They did have croc cages to catch salties and had recently caught one.  The crocks swim up the river in the wet and have to be relocated at the beginning of the dry before canoes and swimming can be allowed in the gorge.  That had been allowed since the 1st of July so our guide said that by now it should be pretty safe.

Back to Katherine in the afternoon to do some shopping - our last opportunity before Mt Isa.

8th July:  Katherine to Victoria River Homestead

Arthur and Margaret left for home today.  They have some commitments to be back for mid next week and also have a fuel problem with the Nissan that is slowing them down a bit.  They were going to get that checked out today before heading east.

On this morning’s drive to Victoria River, we left the tropical vegetation and initially drove through savannah country again.  Then closer to Victoria River, the countryside became quite undulating with lots of "jump ups" - steep-sided hills which are flat on top.  Before a "flash" dinner tonight we are going on the escarpment walk which we are told is quite spectacular.  Time alone will tell.

As it turned out the walk was as spectacular as we had heard.  This section of Gregory National Park is quite different from anything we have seen and the river is huge considering we are so far inland in an otherwise arid environment.  Was a fairly strenuous walk to the top of the hill but was worth it.

The Escarpment Walk - Victoria River

Camp at Victoria River Road House tonight is on quite a pleasant grassed area.  8th July is Karen's birthday so it's out with the camp ovens for a roast dinner - and we're dressing up for dinner as well.  

The dress-up challenge has been to find some appropriate clothing in an op shop somewhere on the trip.  The mind boggles!!