Kakadu was pretty interesting.  It was burnt out, just like Litchfield, but there were a lot of swamps and water holes around, which I didn’t expect.  We did a few walks to look at the indigenous art which were good.  The bird life was abundant!!  As was the Crocs!!  We pulled up to a boat ramp looking to see if we should put the boat in, and a salty popped his head up and began to casually drift up and down in front of the boat ramp – that is a no on putting the boat in!!!!!  We saw a much larger croc having a rest on the river bank a bit further up, so that put an end to any fishing plans.

We then headed south to Tennant Creek and then started our journey west – lots and lots of, well, nothing!!!  Mataranka and Tennant Creek were smaller than I thought.  Mataranka did have a lovely spot at the hot springs, very peaceful and well looked after – and no crocs!!!  The water was so amazingly clear.

The Barkley Highway (heading west) is a whole lot of nothing!!!  Nice free camps along the way which was good and broke the trip up a bit.  You have to be in the camps by lunch time, or you won’t get a spot.  We met some lovely people and had a lot of laughs along the way.  One great spot was Camooweal.  Huge free camp along the edge of a billabong. 

We were happy to cross the border back into QLD and are looking forward to hitting the coast again and then heading north for a bit.

'pet' croc, Corrobooree Roadhouse

One of the many wetlands, Kakadu

Boat Ramp Security......

another puddle - that is fish breaking the surface, top right.

one of the MANY art works, Kakadu

How to park your car, Kakadu style......

Amazing rock formations in Kakadu

TWINS!!!!

Hot springs, Mataranka

Pick a spot!!!

Amazing sunsets in NT

We have spent a bit of time at the Litchfield National Park and little towns around it before heading into Darwin, our last capital city to conquer.

The National Park was lovely, except for them burning off most of it.  I understand the need to do it, but it really does clear out the scrub and leave black trees and ground behind,  Not much 'scenery' due to the smoke haze, but still, it was nice staying in the campgrounds beside the waterfalls.  Not many people swimming - could have something to do with the croc traps on the edge of the water holes........

Darwin is a really nice town.  The waterfront is beautiful and they have really done it up.  We went into the old WWII fuel tunnels that run under the city, wandered through Parliament House, and then spent some time at the war museum.  As you can imagine there was a lot of exhibits relating to the bombing of Darwin.  Very peaceful place to be, apart from all the big guns!!!

After a rest up in Darwin we are heading to Kakadu (which a lot of people here refer to it as Kakadon't).

Termite mounds - they look like tombstones.

Edith Falls

Beautiful Litchfield National Park.......

Old tin mine, Litchfield

Smoke haze over Litchfield

Tabletop Swamp, Litchfield

Florence Falls, Litchfield

WWII tunnels, Darwin

Just needs a quick service......

Very poignant.....

Fountain at Parliament House, Darwin