Saturday, 26 July – Jabiru (take 2)

We rose at our Cobourg Peninsula campground before sunrise to pack the tents and mass of camping gear before taking on the 300Km of corrugated track/road. You can appreciate how isolated this area is when we do not see any other vehicles in almost 5 hours of driving.

Back at the caravan park in Jabiru we put the vans back on site and made a beeline for the pool and bar.

The next couple of days were spent cleaning the cars, restocking, repacking, going through our photos and generally having a relaxing time.

On Monday we met up with Jen and Rob who had just flown up from Melbourne. That evening some of us went to Ubirr Rock to view the sunset which was followed later in the evening by a communal dinner and much merriment.  As usual.

Another Kakadu Sunset On Its Way

The Sun Is Starting To Set Over The Wetlands

 

Serious Photographers Everywhere Along The Rock

There Goes The Sun

And Don't Forget About The Rock Art At Ubirr

 

Wednesday, 23 July - Cobourg Peninsula

First thing in the morning we completed our packing so we could tent it on the Cobourg Peninsula. The Williams decided to take their van so we put only 2 of the vans into storage. Next was the all important coffee stop before leaving civilisation while we waited for reasonably low water at the tidal Cahills Crossing.

On arrival at the infamous crossing where numerous vehicles have been washed off into the rocks we found the water was so low that it was all a bit of an anticlimax. After crossing we let the tyre pressures down for nearly 300km of dirt road. We soon found it was very corrugated, had numerous fallen trees and many washouts, both across and along the road. We rate this as the worst road in years of travelling the outback. 

As we approached Murganella Creek crossing for our lunch break we could see a large number of birds on the ford. On our approach the birds flew off into nearby trees and then we saw hundreds of barramundi on the high side of the crossing. It appeared they were waiting for the many smaller fish that were making their way upstream across the shallow ford.  A short time later we watched a file snake make its way upstream across the ford.

File Snake Crossing the Ford

Bird Feeding At Murganella Creek Crossing

Barramundi Lined Up To Catch Small Fish Migrating Upstream

By the time we arrived at camp we had barely averaged 50kph.
 
Next day at Cobourg we chartered a boat to visit the first settlement in the Territory, the abandoned Victoria Village. The settlement was set up by the British in 1839 to protect Australia's northern coast. It was abandoned about 15 years later after much hardship and death.



Team Brief at Victoria Settlement

 

Victoria Settlement - Ruins Of The Officers Quarters

Victoria Settlement - Remains of the hospital Kitchen

 On the return journey in the boat we spent about an hour fishing and caught enough queen fish and giant trevally for a few good meals. We also sea eagles, rays, turtles and saw a pair of water snakes mating.

At Last! Gordo Caught A Fish

 


Sea Snakes - Up Close And Personal



Our last full day at Cobourg we took a short coastal drive in the morning followed by a relaxing afternoon.

Little Frogs Turn Up Everywhere There Is Moisture

A Jabiru Walking The Beach

Not Walking On The Beach Any Longer

Lucky They Know Where To Cross The Road!

Our First Tent Camp For The Trip

 

Tuesday, 22 July – Jabiru

We arrived at a very nice caravan park with a pool expecting to spend a few days there to prepare our camping gear for our trip up to the Cobourg Peninsula. A couple of hours after arriving we found there was to be a road closure affecting the Peninsula (due to a ceremony at a nearby community) during the time of our entry permit.

After a bit of quick work we had our entry permit altered and prepared to set off to the Peninsula the next morning. So much for preparation time!

Monday, 21 July – Muirella Park

Camping at Muirella Park was a spur of the moment decision. It is beside a billabong like out last camp spot but has better facilities, including showers and probably has crocs as well, so no swimming.

After setting up camp we took a short drive over to Sandy Billabong.

Sandy Billabong - One of the many Kakadu wetlands

Whistling Ducks at Sandy Billabong

Saturday, 19 July – Jim Jim Billabong

The original reason for camping at Jim Jim Billabong was to use it as a base from which to visit Jim Jim Falls. We were informed that these falls did not have much water so our fall back was to visit Twin Falls, a further 10Km down the Jim Jim Falls road. 

On arrival at camp the ranger talked us out of what was going to be a total of 5 hours of 4WD track to Twin Falls and instead convinced us to visit Maguk Falls. This turned out to be a great day trip with a refreshing swim in a large plunge pool surrounded by sheer rock cliffs with a waterfall at the far end.

Making a phone call from Jim Jim Billabong can be a challenge



Look! No Crocs At Maguk Falls



Karen Celebrating Her Birthday With All Her Friends

Maguk Falls



Walking Back From The Falls



Swim At Your Own Risk



Orb Weaver Spider At Maguk

Wednesday, 17 July – Katherine

Only a short drive today to Katherine where we plan to spend a few days relaxing and restocking supplies. Our first task was to restock food and liquid supplies then the next day Maree had her stitches removed. We have previously done the tourist things around Katherine so we just did some walks and generally relaxed.

On our last night at Katherine we had dinner at the caravan park bistro to celebrate Karen’s birthday.


The Birthday Girl.  (didn't notice the power cord until too late)

Monday, 14 July – Mataranka

It was a longish drive today to reach the Mataranka Homestead caravan park near the famous thermal springs. We are now officially in the ‘Top End’.

The springs are surrounded by palm trees that form a welcome oasis in a fairly dry area of the ‘Top End’.


It's Five O'clock Again

Enjoying The Mataranka Thermal Pool

Saturday, 12 July – Lake Wood near Elliot

This is one of our favourite free camps and because it’s so popular we made sure we arrived before lunch. After a 10Km drive from the highway along a sandy, corrugated road we found a great camp site beside the lake and opposite hundreds of pelicans. For several hours we were treated to a continuous show of about 1000 Pelicans methodically fishing the lake as well numerous kites, cormorants, egrets, spoonbills, brolgas and other birds.

Today was another birthday celebration - this time for yours truly.

Happy Birthday DJ

As usual the sunset seen from our camp spot was spectacular and our communal roast pork with salad dinner was just as good.

The next day was a rest day by the lake watching the endless procession of birds fly and paddle up and down the lake.


Flaps Down.  Good Landing

One Of The Ever Present Kites

White Egret



A Cormorant On A Mission




Cormorant Warming Up and Drying Its Wings

Oh crap.  No Reverse Thrust!

Stop! Thief!

Formation Flying

Low Level Flying

Feeding The Birds

Sunset At Lake Wood

Sunset At The Lake

Some Of The Chaos At Lake Wood

Friday, 11 July – Banka Banka Homestead

Today was only a short drive of about 200Km so we had time look around Tennant Creek (which took about 10 minutes) then to allow for a relaxing afternoon. The relaxing afternoon turned out to include an athletic walk to the waterhole 2Km from the Banka Banka campground but it was worthwhile.

Some That Didn't Make It

Yours Truly on Banka Banka Hill

Bird Spotting At Banka Banka Waterhole

 

White Necked Heron at Banka Banka Waterhole 

Birthday For Yours Truely