Kakadu Woo Hoo

 Kakadu 7th to 14th July 2021 Happy Birthday Adam

We left Katherine (for now) and headed to Kakadu National Park NT

Adam has a friend who was a ranger at Mary River which is in the south of the park. He gave us a heads up on some of the out of the way swimming holes.  The water holes that Steve told us about were fantastic and in fact were voted by us to be the favourite of the trip so far, thanks Steve.

We had booked Cooinda camp site which is located in the middle of the park. This camp ground has everything a pool, a bar, you can book a tour and it is home to Yellow waters billabong a must do in Kakadu.  It is expensive as camping goes but we still had car issues and Adam was going to have to go back to Katherine at some stage to get the car fixed so we opted for the one stop shop of camping. 

Of course we got to camp late and set up in the dark as we spent so much time in the water hole.

Next day was a swim at ferny pools it was so good we nearly missed our sunset cruise of yellow waters. 

The Yellow waters cruise was full of bird life and of course crocs. The billabong is home to salt water crocodiles and we saw plenty.

                                       

The next day out to Jim Jim falls. You may notice that lots of things have got a double name, Jim Jim, Cutta Cutta. In aboriginal language this means that it is place many things. Cutta Cutta, many stars. Jim Jim is many Pandanus. The Rd out to Jim Jim falls is super corrugated so to counter act that you have to travel faster than usual and let a bit of  air out of your tyres around 30 psi. There is small walk into Jim Jim falls and at the end of the gorge there is a bit of rock hopping to do and then you are face to face with the Falls Wow. The water is cold but a swim is a must. Check for info on Crocs before entering water. We spent the day there and was great to actually see what my Mum has raved about for years.

Next day was Nourlangie Rock. We really liked this place. The air was still and ancient. When the wet season arrives Anbangbang shelter and gallery was used by people for thousands of years to protect from  the elements. The rock art is beautiful and there is a special place where the story is told of the lightning man who brings the thunder and the rain. He has axes on his knees and arms to create the thunder. No photos at this place so you will just have to go for yourself to see. The walk up to the top is easy and rewarding. I could sit for hours and stare into the distance. One of the photo's below is of a tree that fruits and flowers (the Calendar tree ) this time of year and it is a sign to the local people that the turtles and crocs are nesting.

 

The afternoon was spent at Muguk for a swim. This is a great waterhole you are surrounded by paper barks and cabbage palms on the walk in, oh and snakes. The water is warm here and the water fall is a great place to swim to and get natures massage under the flow. Kids did some jumping and diving off the rocks ahhhhhh bliss. PS check out the termite mounds huge!!!!

Sunday we took we took a trip to Cahills Crossing. This is a crossing on the East Alligator river. Its claim to fame is the Crocs on the tide change. So when the tide changes the river can rise up six meters and it completely changes the direction the river flows for a short period of time (amazing to see). As Salt water crocs have lived here for thousands of years they know that the fish come up the river on the tide change so it is easy pickings for lunch/dinner if you are a croc. It is similar to watching the bears in the USA catching salmon when spawning. 

We spent a few hours here watching the apex predator hunting, and proving why it has survived for millions of years. The fisherman and tourists take unnecessary risks in this area and stand only metres away while the crocs are right there. There is a sign telling of a fatal attack that happened there in the 80's. The person who was taken was taken in front of a boat load of tourist on a boat who were screaming at him to get out!!! Horrible DONT RISK CROC ATTACK!!! To all the Barra fisherman

nobody ever died hunting chicken😂

Here is a video of someone who thinks its a good idea to cross at high tide he made it this time 

(there are kids in the back )

The afternoon we headed to Ubirr. On the way we had a quick stop at Injalak Art Gallery some lovely pieces here. Ubirr is famous for its rock art. There is a painting of a Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger) so that gives you an idea of how long people have lived and used these caves as the Tassie tiger hasn't lived on the mainland for about 2000 years! 

As per usual we were looking for wildlife and found a skink, this little guy spent some time jumping on and off the kids. (Love that my kids are so cool)

From the rock art we walked up to the lookout and wow what a look out 360 degree views. One direction the Arnhem land escarpment as far as you can see and the other green grass plains. We sat up there for sunset amazing. The landscape feels so old there and it is a humbling experience

 (thanks mother nature) 

                                                                           Thylacine

                                                                         Our lizard friend

 Monday Adam had to return to Katherine. So a 4am start for poor Lewy. We hung around camp and spent the afternoon in the pool and some beers at the bar when Adam got back. Our last day in Kakadu was Adams Birthday Pancakes in bed and swim at Maguk fantastic.

                                                          HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEWY