On the way to WA

We spent a few days in Darwin to recuperate and then headed south for Litchfield NP. On the way we stopped at a few places, in particular was one of Craig's favourite spots near Darwin, Berry Springs.

This very deep, aqua coloured swimming hole is perfect for relaxing in and Craig spent many a weekend swimming here when he was in Darwin.
Camped the night near Florence Falls in Litchfield NP. We walked to the falls late in the afternoon and had the place pretty much to ourselves as we paddled under the falls. Sophie was recovering from an ear infection so she couldn't go underwater though.

 

Merten's Water Monitor Varanus mertensi

Magnetic termite mounds. They're flat and most have their flat sides facing east and west

Headed for Kakadu the next morning. The fees in this place are rediculous, $25 each adult just for park entry plus camping fees are extra! Camped at Gunlom Falls on the southern end of the park. What a brilliant spot and one of the highlights of our trip so far. The camp sites are at the base of the tall falls and a half hour steep climb brings you to the lip of the falls. You can swim at the top and enjoy a panoramic view across the plains. We managed to 'accidentally' leave without paying the park entry fees. What a pity.

On the way up Gunlom Falls

The lip of Gunlom Falls

At the edge (it wasn't as dangerous as it looks, there was a ledge beneath)

The bird life up here is amazing but we are yet to see the billabongs where its is even better. Parrys Lagoon near Kununurra is apparently a good spot for this.

Clockwise from top left: Apostle Birds, Red-winged Parrots, Brown Honeyeater, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike.

The next morning at Gunlom Falls we noticed our trailer batteries had gone flat overnight and the fridge stopped running. Had this checked out and was found that the wires were melted due to poor wiring and fuse setup. Also when closing the camper trailer top the gas strut snapped off at it's mount! Theses were both fixed later in Katherine after having to spend most of the day there. Camped last night in Katherine.

Just met up with Trevor, Ria, Dean and Rhianna this morning in Katherine and are heading to Kununurra in WA.

Tayla's blog 28/5/15

its so hot that we have to swim every day,and i think its the same for this file snake.

Arafura File Snake

Northern Snapping Turtle

at berry springs we saw archer fish and one squirted me in the face!
 we found a 5.m tall termite mound and learned what was inside them.  

Whoa that's big!

Inside of termite mound

eek! its biting his bum!

 in kakadu we found some brumbies near our tent, and some had foals!

brown brumbie

Love from Tayla

Darwin!

We've finally arrived in Darwin after a wirlwind tour of the centre. We'll stop to see the sights on the way back down. Post have been few and far between as there has been hardly any internet reception.

On the way up here we called in briefly at Wycliffe Well north of Alice Springs, apparently a 'hot spot' for UFO sightings (and crappy UFO merchandise)

Sophie was actually packing her undies in this photo and wouldn't go next to them without Mum.

There was plenty of wildlife on the road, especially Whistling and Black Kites and Wedge-tailed Eagles feeding on roadkill.

Black Kite

Spotted a Dingo on the side of the of the road and managed to get pretty close to it as it wasn't too fazed by us.

Did a fly-by visit of the Devil's Marbles, literally 5 minutes, and Tayla said they looked like fossilized dinosaur poo.

Must have been big dinosaurs!

Yesterday we camped at the oasis of Mataranka about 400km south of Darwin. Even though they're thermal pools we all raced in for a swim after sitting in the car for 5 days. Our backs and bums sure needed the luxury!

That night at Mataranka they had a band and a bloke doing a whip-cracking show (he was actually better than we thought he was going to be and even had a couple of whips set on fire. Still don't know how he and everyone else didn't get covered in flaming kerosene though).

It's a whipcrackin' hoedown!

Now it's time to have a few days of R&R in Darwin, especially since Belinda has come down with the flu. We'll try to see some of the sights around Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield as well some of Craig's favourite haunts when he was living here.

We promised the girls we'd have fish and chips on the beach in Darwin when we got there so we picked up some and headed  to Mindil Beach for the sunset. Will check out the markets at Mindil Beach tomorrow night.

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Tayla's blog 20/5/15

We are in coober pedy now, they sure have big rabbits around here!

we are on the road again, trying to get to the N.T by tonight. Will stop to look for opals on way home.

South Australia

Camped last nigh in a bush area near the border of SA and Vic but didnt realise we were so close to a railway line so every couple of hours a train came through our tent!  Rained all night so we'll have to dry our tent soon.

Cut across from Murray Bridge to bypass Adelaide and this took us through the Barossa and Clare Valleys. Stopped in the Barossa to pick up a nice vintage cask of $10 Fruity Lexia.

Highlight of the day was Sophie calling KFC the Koffee Fart Cafe.

Heading for Port Augusta now and plan to find somewhere to camp between there and Woomera.

The adventure begins!

All packed and ready to go. Woohoo! Seeya cold!