25th August...........Today we toured the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre which gave us an understanding of the connection Kakadu's Aboriginal owners have with this special part of the Top End. We learned about the stories that gave them their laws. The displays were very interesting, but we had a lot to read. Sorry no photo's as we were not allowed to take them.

We were picked up at our caravan park for our Yellow Water Billabong Cruise. Yellow Water is home to crocodiles, birds, barramundi and many other wildlife. This is all part of the Alligator River system and it flows for over 200 kilometres.

 

 

 

Paperbark trees, pandanus and freshwater mangroves line the bank, and the water is dotted with beautiful pink and white waterlilies.

 

 

We also saw a croc take a  barramundi. 

 

26th August.......We visited the Bowali Visitor Centre in Jabiru where we watched a 25 minute audio visual of Kakadu's landscape and gave us a better understanding of the wet season and what happens to the landscape, animals and bird life.

 

We went onto Nourlangie Rock Art Site which has served as a shelter for the aboriginal art for thousands of years. We saw paintings such as Namarrgon, the Lightning Man and gave us a better understanding the relationship of the people to their country and beliefs. The track wasn't too bad but well worth the climb in the end.

 

27th August........ We started off at around 10.00am for Jabiru for shopping then off to Cahill's Crossing where the East Alligator River forms the north eastern boundary between Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land.

 

 

We got talking to people one of whom lives in Wollongong and they offered Graeme an opportunity to fish, the only trouble the catch had to be more than 55cm his wasn't, but by saying that the largest we saw caught was 80cm by one of the girls (I had my photo taken holding the fish).

 

 

We went for a Guluyambi boat cruise along the East Alligator. Our guide on this cruise was Neville an aboriginal from Arnhem Land, he was very informative, we gained more insight into the traditional culture, local mythology, the river's abundant food chain as well traditional bush survival skills, this was done when we got off the boat in Arnhem land and Neville displayed his skills with the spears.

 

 Ubirr (oo beer). This is where we saw the famous rock art. We were able to listen to a guide who was explaining the paints and Graeme took many photos. Later we climbed a moderately steep 250 metre rock to watch sunset across the floodplains and to the back the rock escarpment, it was probably the highlight of our visit to Kakadu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 28th August ..... Left Cooinda for Leliyn Edith Falls Camping Ground for a two nights stay. A picturesque waterfall this section of the Jawoyn-owned is part Nitmiluk National Park.

 

29th August.........  Woke up around 8.00am, had breakfast did washing than headed for a swim, just beautiful water temperature Graeme was able to stay in for about 1 hour while we talked to people from the Caribbean. They had a very interesting life style. Went back for lunch had a sleep and off for another swim. All day today we were entertained by the Bower Birds gathering different things for their nest and their mating habits. Graeme was also able to take photos of the bird life here. Sunset was beautiful, but the main thing we are enjoying the peace and quiet of the area. Tomorrow we head back to Katherine.

 

30th August
We left around 9.09am and headed for Katherine along the Stuart Highway. 33 Kms out of Katherine we were flagged down by a motorist who informed us that our passenger side tyre on the van was smoking and was starting to catch fire. They drove off  and we were left to solve to problem. Graeme waited for a while until the wheel was cooler to jack up the van.

I knew by the look of his face that we had a major problem. The brake drums were burnt out and maybe other damage.

 

 

 

We had no service on our phone, so we waved a passing motorist. Thank heavens help came as Peter & Jan stoped,  they had phone connection. We were able to ring the tow truck and Jan organised accommodation in  a cabin at the Boab Caravan Park where they were heading at Katherine

31st August      Graeme went and played golf with Jan & Peter and I had a lazy morning sitting on a deck chair and read my novel. Had a phone call from Graeme to say that they were on the last hole and to come and join them for a drink. Home for lunch to Jan & Peters van, just nibbles and lots of talk. Later that afternoon we had a swim and Graeme went and got the van. After settling in Graeme and Peter cooked a bake pork meal, us the pork and Peter the vegies. It was a good night.

 

1st September   Went to the markets with Peter & Jan for breakfast, back to the van for a quiet  afternoon, swim and off the Katherine Railway to see the departure of The Ghan which was heading for Adelaide.