K to K with Km’s in the middle

Today we went to Kakadu. In the morning, Dad woke me up to go for a walk to the rockhole. It was 6:30 and we got up to the lookout at 7:00, averaging 3.5 kph. After that we walked down to the rockhole, took a few photos of the waterfall and the surrounding scenery, then walked the rest of the walk back to  the campsite. By the time we got back, Elliot and Mum were awake and had had cereal, but Izzy was still attempting to be asleep( it was about 7:45, and everyone was awake).

 

After the first round of breakfast, Dad started cooking breakfast and the family that we had camped next at Katherine Gorge, and were camped next to us at Edith Falls came over to say hello. I think their 2 1/2 year-old must think we’re travelling with them! They aren’t with us tonight, but they may be tomorrow night! We saw a plant that looked, tasted and smelt like a Rosella and Mum assumed that it was a Native Rosella.

After we had had breakfast and packed up, Dad told Izzy, Elliot and Mum to do the walk Dad and I had done earlier, but that fell through, so we got our togs on and went down to the waterhole again, this time with our goggles on to have a look at the fish. There were Banded Grunters, or Tarrittarrit as the Jawoyn people call them, Red-Tailed Rainbow fish, Werej and a lot more. It was a bit colder than yesterday, but once you got in it was fine. After the swim we said good-bye to Edith Falls, and went on to Kakadu.

After an episode of “Star Wars, Return Of The Jedi,” we had a look at the Pine Creek Gold Mine. Gold was first found there in 1871, and 764,000 ounces were mined from 1985 to 1995. Pine Creek wasn’t very impressive, with a pub, 50-odd houses, a shop and post box(that was all I saw).

Next, after another episode of Star Wars, we stopped at the Mary River Roadhouse to pay the fees for Kakadu and get some information. There I learnt a bit more of the Jawoyn Language, and found out a bit about the crocodiles and other wildlife in the park. We headed off for Gunlom Camping Area, with a few stops along the way.

We have seen a lot of crocodile warning signs, but so far no actual Saltwater Crocodiles. Elliot and Dad went down with Mum to the Plunge Pool for a swim, and they didn’t see any crocodiles. Elliot swam out to Dad and then covered a rock with sand. The way to the campsite was sandy and there were lot of corrugations. Dinner was lamb chops.

Louis.

Louis has covered most of it. Gunlom is not as impressive a waterhole at the moment as Edith Falls, but the waterfall is much bigger, and in the wet it would be awe-inspiring. The falls drain about 100km2 of escarpment, and we are 1km from the South Alligator, so a lot of water goes through here after a storm.

Hoping for a quicker start in the morning to get into the heart of Kakadu with its birds, water and art sites. Just lots of dust mostly so far. Hot too, but I suspect that won’t change for some time now.

Statistics for the day. About 180km. Cost us $50 for Kakadu entry and $20 to camp here. Seems to be a general theme here that that gets you hot showers, but not hot water for washing up. Temp peaked about 34. Getting into water you can’t swim in is going to be hard.