On the Victoria Highway

Somewhere today there was a sign mentioning “big River” country and certainly as we followed the Victoria River for a while you could see why. We drove down to Katherine by morning tea and after a fuel and phone stop headed west. Initially the country was similar to what we have seen (perhaps a few more cattle in evidence) but as we approached Victoria River Roadhouse it became more dramatic. Lunch was at Sullivan’s Creek (yes, crocs here I assured Elliot) then a quick stop at the roadhouse. Fortunately we had filled at Katherine as they were out of diesel (not the first time I have seen this). We stopped to take pikkies a number of times as the contrasts between the red sandstone cliffs, blue sky, green vegetation and yellow grass were just stunning.

Down on the River it was flowing but shallow with rocky crossings and teeming with birdlife (and presumably fish and crocs).

Donnie and Izzy did a hot hour walk at Joe’s Creek but were rewarded with some rock art and views. As we approached the Western section of the park the scenery changed again, less dramatic but still interesting. We are approaching Durack country now and it must have been a hard life. We can only presume that the picturesque river is capable of turning into a raging torrent given the structure of the bridges.

As we started down the track to tonight’s campsite we saw our first Boab tree (and quite a specimen). There is really a wealth of flora here if you keep looking, though at first glance it can seem desolate.

The flat tyre brought home the necessity to be prepared. Our options if we had not been able to fix it ourselves would have been a 7km walk to the campsite (perhaps a phone or call device or other people – turns out we have 2 neighbours tonight) or a walk back to the road (50km).  (Lynne)