Katherine

Tuesday 12^th July

Jabiru to Katherine.

We left JABIRU and headed south east on the KAKADU Highway towards PINE CREEK where we would meet the Stuart Highway again, thus completing a big triangle, PINE CREEK up to DARWIN, out to JABIRU, and then back down to PINE CREEK.

We weren’t sure exactly how far we would get for the day, as we wanted to stop off at a couple of places on the way, and didn’t know how long we would be spending at each place.

Our first stop was YELLOW WATER, about 55 km from JABIRU.  YELLOW WATER is renowned for its wetlands and birdlife.  They had several cruises on offer, but we had been told they weren’t as good as the ones we had done, and were more expensive.  There were several walks in the area, with lookouts over the lagoons, so we spent a leisurely hour wandering around. 

Overall nothing startling, but it was good to see up close the lagoons and surrounding wetlands.  Unfortunately there was not much wildlife about, apart from the usual Corellas, Egrets, Ibis, and host of other smaller birds that we had come used to seeing everywhere. I think one of the reasons there were none of the more exotic birds about, was due to the huge amount of tourists and tour boats roaring around. 

We were surprised to see huge areas of pig rooting.  They must be there in their hundreds at night, causing wide spread destruction. 

It’s a wonder they haven’t done something to get rid of them.

From YELLOW WATER we continued on towards PINE CREEK, stopping off at the MARY RIVER ROADHOUSE just outside KAKADU NATIONAL PARK. There were several walks in the area, some leading into Waterfalls, but decided not to do them as access to them was by vehicle only, which would have meant unhooking the van, and we had been told that although they were good, they were not as spectacular as Jim Jim Falls.  We had lunch and then continued on towards PINE CREEK and KATHERINE.

We arrived in Katherine at about 3.30 and were soon set up.  As soon as we were set up Cameron disappeared into the pool and we didn’t see him again until tea time.

Wednesday 13^th July

Katherine

We were pretty disappointed with the standard of the camp we had booked into, so this morning we shifted to a far better and cheaper camp, and after setting up again, went and did some grocery shopping. 

After lunch we headed out to do some Tiki Touring around town. First of all we went to the old Katherine River Rail Bridge, and enjoyed the views from it, up and down the river. 

Then it was up to Knotts Landing, a point on the Katherine River just up from the town,  where the old road forded the river. 

This ford was used by Aeneas and Jeannie Gunn on their way from Darwin to Mataranka to settle Elsey Station, and is mentioned in Jeannie Gunns book ‘We Of The Never Never’, which of course, by now you will have all read following my earlier mention of it.

Then it was on to the Katherine Museum, and then back into town for a look around. 

Then because the 31 degree heat was starting to get to us, we headed back to camp for a cold beer or two.  Tomorrow we hope to visit the Edith Falls, about 40km north of here.

Thursday 14^th July

After the usual morning chores, we headed to Edith Falls, one of the tourist attractions of the Katherine area.  The falls were 40km north of Katherine and then 20 km down a side road.  There is a motor camp at the falls, and when we arrived the car park was nearly full and the motor camp looked packed as well. Obviously a very popular place.

We took the short walk to the huge pool at the foot of the falls and then looked for the falls themselves.  We could see quite a bit of water pouring down about a meter drop, into the head of the pool, but falls? Not by any stretch of the imagination.   

It took us a while to realise that what we were looking at, was indeed the Edith Falls.  Another example of Aussies making a lot of noise about nothing.  We came away quite disappointed, and annoyed that we had travelled 60km to see very little.

Back in Katherine we visited Spring Vale Homestead, listed as the original Cattle Station Homestead in the Northern Territory. 

Unfortunately due to the ravages of numerous floods and bush fires, over the years, again there wasn’t much to see, just two of the original stone buildings set in the grounds of several huge Rain Trees.

What made the visit interesting was reading about how the founders of the station had driven their stock, 16,000 sheep, and 12,000 head of cattle, just under 3000km, from Adelaide across unknown territory to get to their new farm.  Despite having to cross long dry stretches, and numerous rivers, they only lost 150 sheep.  A remarkable feat. 

After lunch back at camp, we walked down to the Katherine Hot Springs, which bubble out of the ground beside the Katherine River next to our camp ground.  The water is at a constant 32degrees, and is a very popular swimming hole with the locals as well as visitors. 

We spent a very relaxing hour or so there before returning to camp.

Tomorrow we pack up and head west to TIMBER CREEK.