July 2009

July 6th
Day 1
We left Home right on 10:00 AM (1 hour after the plan), but with a great run, arrived in Mildura around 6:00 PM.
July 7th
Day 2
It was absolutely freezing this morning (-1 according to the internet) and there was a frost. Trev completed a short (5K) run and never warmed up. I was actually colder at the end than when I started. For the rest, it was a slow start to the first non travelling day saw a trip to the shops at about 11:00 AM . We went to a giant playground called 'Snakes and Ladders' and had a great time before catching up with 'Boy' and family for tea.
July 8th
Day 3
Long day driving from Mildura to Port Augusta.
July 9th
Day 4
Long day driving from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy. We stayed at this out of the way caravan park called Riba's underground camping. They have rooms underground for guests to stay in in either backpacker style or individual rooms. We stayed in our van. The place was very dry and dusty and had very much no frills kitchen and amenities, but it was only about somewhere to put the van for the night.
July 10th
Day 5
Long day driving from Coober Pedy to Erldunda. The kids met three boys from Dubbo on the playground, and spent most of the afternoon playing with them while we set up for the night. The park has a nearby Emu enclosure and one of them is very tame. The tame Emu is occaisionally walked around the park to meet the guests, and Daniel was lucky enough to have the opprotunity to pat it. Trev went for a 6 K run followed by a very quick dip in a very cold pool, but it was the first swim which is an attempt ot be a swim in each park's pool.
July 11th
Day 6
2 and a half hour drive from Erldunda to Yulara. Lazy arvo after setup. Kids played with the same three boys. Went to the pool for a very cold swim (Not Sally). Went out to the Rock to see the sunset. While sitting down outside after returning from the Rock we saw a dingo wander through the park.
July 12th
Day 7
Not a travel day. Got up early to see the sunrise on Ayers rock, but it was overcast so it only lit up for about a minute. Went back and had breaky before heading back out to ride around the rock (10.1 K). Everyone we passed offered to buy the bikes from us. Later in the day, we headed to the Olgas to do a walk, but it started to rain soon after we arrived, so we headed back to the car. On our way out, stopped in the sunset view carpark and were treated to a wonderful show which consisted of a rainbow resting on top of the Olgas. It was breathtaking.
July 13th
Day 8
Intent was to head around to Kings Creek Station for a couple of nights, but woke to find the powerpoint for the fridge burnt out, so we amended our plans and instead went to Alice Springs where the nearest caravan repairer was located. Bit of a disappointment as we were really looking forward to Kings Creek Station as it was a high light of our previous trip. The repairman works out of the overflow caravan park that has a big dustbowl out the back that is without power, so we have now had our first non-powered night and we survived and now know the battery works. The kids spent a couple of hours riding their bikes around on the dirt area. Trev went for a 6K run followed by a swim in an even colder pool
July 14th
Day 9
Van repair day. It was just a faulty powerpoint. Stayed in the same park, but now on a powered site. Today was the first day of school for the Kids. They were so excited to get started, Sal could not stop them, so that was all that was done all afternoon. Wonder how long this enthusiasm will last.
July 15th
Day 10
Stayed in Alice, but moved to Macdonnell Ranges caravan park which we had pre-booked a couple of weeks ago and we will be here for 5 days. This park is being referred to as Disneyland as it has a lot on offer to do. Kids met up with the 3 Dubbo boys, so spent the afternoon with them mainly at the Jumping Pillow. That night the park has a regular spot where a local entertainer comes in and sings bush balads and recites Australian poetry around fire pits. It was a great night.
July 16th
Day 11
We drove out to Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm. The walk to Simpsons Gap was beside a dry river bed and it was very pretty. The kids were encouraged to pose for a photo 'swimming' on the sand near a 'no swimming' sign. This walk was very short, only 5 minutes or so. The Standley Chasm walk is much more spectacular and takes about 20 minutes to complete. We timed our arrival for just before mid day so that we could see it at its best when the sun is able to shine onto the sides of the chasm. They turn a magnificent orangy color. The kids spent most of the time climbing everywhere they could, but we were able to sit and watch it change. That night the park has a regular spot where a local ranger comes in and presents a slide show on all the flora and fauna of the area and greater Northern Territory. It was a great night.
July 17th
Day 12
We drove 100KM out to an historic town called Arltunga (77 KM on bitumen, followed by 33KM on corrugated gravel (slow going)). Arltunga was the site of the first South Australian (now NT) gold finding. An amazing story that was born out of the original surveyers believing they had found rubies but it was in fact garnet. Then prospectors actually discovered gold in the area. There was a lot found, but not to the extent of Ballarat and Bendigo, and with the harshness of the area, and its distance to anywhere else, it has since become little more than an historic town. There are still a few people out there, but it is very tough. We ventured around and were able to climb into a couple of mines. Called into a few sites on the way back to the park. It was a fairly long day.
July 18th
Day 13
Quiet day today. We hired pedal go-karts for the kids today and they loved it. Didn't do much else.
July 19th
Day 14
Another quiet day today. Trev got up and went for a 12 K bike ride. On the way pout the park thought he should have grabbed his gloves but thought it would be OK, but it wasn't, his fingers almost froze off, it was only 1 or 2 degrees. Sunday in this park is free pancakes day. The owners start cooking at about 8:30am and keep cooking until no one is hungry. They cook 20 at a time and at one stage there would have been about 150 people lined up. Later that day Trev did a grocery shop to stock up for the days ahead.
July 20th
Day 15
Travel day today. Drove from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek (some 510 km) Trev and the kids had a swim in the cold pool. That night at the 'Outback Caravan Park' we were entertained by 'Jimmy the Outbak Bush Tucker man'. He told stories and served us Dampa and Lemon Grass tea cooked in the fire in front of us.
July 21st
Day 16
Big drive day today from Tennant Creek to Katherine (660km). It is much warmer here, even the swimming pool water was warm enough for Sally to venture into. We are staying at the Big 4 park, but do not have power tonight due to no sites being available. We have power tomorrow night. Whilst Trev was at the BBQ, ended up talking to the old principal from EMC who was there during the transition from Langwarrin Sec Coll to EMC. He knew people we knew. He is now on the Gold Coast, but has been travelling with his family for a few weeks and is now on his way home.
July 22nd
Day 17
Trev and Daniel started the day with a 6 k run/ride before it got too hot (but it already was by 8:30). We then went for a walk to the Katherine Hot Springs (a bit further than we thought) and it was worth it as they are great. The water was a comfortable temperature and crystal clear. By the time we got back, we were able to move to our powered site. We have had the engel fridge in the back of the car connected to the battery and the caravan fridge on gas, unfortunately, the engel fridge drew a little too much from the car and flattened the battery. One of the workers from the park had one of those starter pack things and helped us get going. The van moved in place, it was time to stock up on food. Decided to stay an extra day at Katherine to try and relax a bit, and instead of camping at Edith Falls, just drive out there tomorrow for the day.
July 23rd
Day 18
We went for a short drive north to a place called Edith Falls. The walk in was about 1 km and involved a steep climb to begin with. The effort was rewarded with a spectacular swim in the plungs pool at the foot of the waterfall. There were a number of pools with the main one being about 40 metres by 20 metres. Trev climbed onto the base of the falls, as well as up the rock face twice to two different heights before jumping in. In one of the connecting pools, the kids found a rock ledge to climb on and jump off which they proceeded to do for about 30 minutes. We all had a great time.
July 24th
Day 19
Today started with a quick dip in the Hot Springs before packing up and driving a couple of hundred km into Kakadu. We had booked two nights at Gagadju lodge caravan pack in Cooinda. It was incredibly hot, especially setting up on our very open site. We spent this afternoon in the pool. We have booked ourselves into the sunrise 'Yellow Waters' cruise tomorrow morning at 6:30 am and we need to be out the front at 6:10 am. This will mean we need to get up around 5:30 am (way too early for holidays).
July 25th
Day 20
Up bright and early for the 'Yellow Waters' cruise. On the cruise, we saw a lovely sunrise with mist all over the water. We spotted about 6 to 8 estuarine crocodiles ('Saltys') (these are the ones that like eating people). The biggest being a male of about 3.5 metres. We saw heaps of birds whistling kites, sea eagles, magpie geese, brolgas, night herons, rainbow bee eaters, king fishers and egrets (and others). Accompanying the sunrise cruise was a full buffet breakfast (hot and cold) back at the lodge. After this we 4WD out to Twin Falls and Jim Jim falls. The trip out involved about 60 km of gravel followed by 10 or so km of sand and rocks and water crossings (one up to 400mm deep). It was fun to do a bit of 4WDing again. We went to Twin Falls first and had to do a short boat trip followed by a moderately difficult walk (rock hop) to view the falls. Due to the possible presence of 'Saltys' we were unable to swim in this plunge pool, but it was safe to walk there and view the falls, which were active. We then drove into Jim Jim falls and completed a more strenuous walk/rock hop to the Jim Jim falls plunge pool. Jim Jim falls was not actively flowing due to dry season, but there was still sufficient water in the plunge pool to swim. This pool was open for swimming due to downstream rocks preventing the 'Saltys' from entering. The water was clear with an abundance of fish life, but was too cold for Sally to stay in for very long ( in and out)!!! This was not helped by the rumoured presence of a sea snake (turned out to be a yellow tree python). Got back to camp too late and too tired to cook dinner, so ate at the lodge.
July 26th
Day 21
Big driving day today from Cooinda to Trish's parents in Darwin. Sal spoke to Trish last night and was advised that we must visit Ubirr on our way out of Kakadu. Very glad we did as it was spectacular. The high light being reaching the top lookout and viewing 'the pride lands'. The view of the flood planes gave us a sense of how large and diverse the Kakadu landscape is. Arrived at Coolalinga mid afternoon to meet Trish's parents and setup on the best caravan park in Darwin. They own about 30 acres of bush land with a cleared area behind the house where we were able to setup camp. After setting up and cooling down, we were taken on a quick tour of Darwin after heading into 'The Wharf' for fish and chips for dinner. Trev ate a crocodile burger and commented 'it tastes like chicken'. We arrived back to be greeted by the resident agile wallabies and bandicoots feeding on the back porch.
July 27th and July 28th
Days 22 and 23
Bludge days both days. Swum in the spa/pool, shopped, caught up on the washing, school work...and not much else. Trish's brother and family came over for a roast dinner that Lyn and Andrew prepared. It was great to put faces to the names Trish talks about.
July 29th
Day 24
We went to Territory wildlife park. Full day out involving lots of walking. Saw lots of animals including the birds of prey show. The kids got to throw fish to a fresh water croc and some pelicans before hand feeding some whip rays. We all got to feed the Archer Fish. These fish are able to spit water at their prey (usually insects on foliage above the water level). We were holding 'worms' and were amazed at the accuracy at which they were able to project the water onto the worms. Walked through bird aviaries, nocturnal house and an aquarium that were all stocked with local wildlife.
July 30th
Days 25
Got Car serviced, spent morning at Out door Wave Pool in Darwin CBD (had a great time floating on boogie boards and tyre tubes), wandered around CBD. Visited Gardens Oval for a kick in honour of the contribution to the Essendon Football club by Michael Long. DJ and Trev had kick to kcik for about 20 minutes and included a few spectacular 'runs down the wing'. Afternoon at Darwin Museum followed by trip to Mindil Beach for market and Sunset.
July 31st
Days 26
Went to Leanyer Water Park. Free waterslides, pool and water playground. Great Fun.