Darwin

We finished the major part of the trip to Darwin.
We set up camp in Howard Springs, just outside of town.
Time to update our map again.

Six month of travelling, 12.200 km, roughly 2440 L diesel (1:5), no flat tyres, one oilchange, one check and adjustment of the caravan wheel bearings (dutch:lagers), a new caravan awning (dutch: luifel) and roof repair due to storm damage, I don't dare to mention the estimated amount of beer cans (more than 500 I am sure I have enjoyed; actually having number 501 while I am typing this).

The map shows our track till now.

On August 8 we will fly out via Singapore to Amsterdam.
In the meantime we will keep you updated with our adventures in and around Darwin.

Litchfield National Park

Last Wednesday we left Daly River and headed further north. Litchfield National Park starts about 60 km west from the Stuart Highway, and the gateway into the park is a little town called Batchelor. We set up camp there in a very beautiful caravanpark.
On friday we had a day drive into the National Park itself. I updated the photobook with some pictures. It was a very rewarding day ! Too bad we could not have a swim in one of the rockpools below the waterfalls because of the presence of some crocs.
Sunday we drove to Berry Springs, 80 km from Batchelor, to have a look at our next caravanpark. Its near the Northern Territory Wildlife Park that we would like to visit, so why not set up camp there. It looked very nice. But on Wednesday, as we prepared to drive on, we changed plans and drove directly to the neighbourhood of Darwin. We heard that it is very very busy in all the caravanparks in and around Darwin and making a phonecall confirmed that. So we grabbed the empty spot that Howard Springs Caravan Resort had to offer.

In the meantime we have been in contact with Christopher and Annie, Pam's
cousin's son and his wife. They live in another suburb of Darwin (don't laugh, it is called Humpty Doo) and have enhoughspace on their property for our caravan to be left there while we visit
Europe in August. We will visit Cris and Annie in the weekend and have a nice family update.

Daly River (2)

Tuesday morning: a drive with just the car along the river. Sh.t, this is a beautiful countryside. Ending up at Brown Creek, where the road realy ends. Looking out over an inviting sandbank, briefly thinking of having a swim. Nah...better not. Those saltwatercrocodiles would love to have me for breakfast.
The area is discribed like this: "This is tropical North Australia as it is imagined by southerners. The park abounds in saltwater crocodiles, reptiles, spiders, cockatoos, wild pigs and buffalos. The foliage is a combination of mangroves, giant bamboos, pandanus and even Kapok trees".
We filled up with diesel at the local aboriginal community, and headed back to the caravan (61 L; $109,-). Tomorrow we will travel on to Litchfield national park.

Daly River

Monday morning, right in the hart of barramundi country.
Do I need to say more? One just below 80 cm, one just above. Both roughly 18 pounds each.

Have a nice day too folks.

Katherine

After Daly Waters we travelled to Mataranka, after another roadside camp on our way north. Mataranka is known for its hot springs that were used during WWII as a relax point for the army. Nice and warm !!!! The caravan park was not realy great but we stayed three nights.
From Mataranka we made a trip 80 km inland to visit the Barunga festival. Aboriginals from all over Arnhem Land visit this festival. It is great to see.
Next day we travelled to Katherine, famous for Katherine Gorge (for the dutch: Gorge= kloof, ravijn). Impressive ! We had a cruise through three of the 13 gorges, and after that the boys (Kim and I) had a helicopterflight. My first time in a chopper !
We will stay here in Katherine till Sunday and use the time to stock up supplies. In the weeks to come we will not be in a larger township, so we better make sure we have enhough food and drinks. Our goal is the Daly River: I want to catch that famous baramundi myself (minimum legal size = 55 cm !) and then on to Litchfield National Park.

Daly Waters (2)

This is definitely the best pub I have seen until now. You all would laugh your ass off. You cannot imagine how many memorabilia are collected and displayed here. Of course the most famous are the bra's and knickers hanging from the ceiling, and not to forget the licence plates and thongs. But the meals were great, the drinks too, and the live 'n-tainment was fun ! The six of us went back to the caravan at a reasonable time, but spent some more time (and drinks) there. We all slept VERY well !

Daly Waters

Almost a week without TV, Phone and Internet connection. Not that we really missed it, actually: Not at all.
After we left Soudan rest area, we stayed at 41 Mile Bore in the bush, and turned north at Three Ways roadhouse. Banka Banka station is 70 km north from there. We arrived just after midday and immediately knew this was the place to be. Clean and grassy and calf's, goats, and turkeys walking around between the camp spots. Friendly staff, a little camp bar with reasonable pricing, a slide show in the evening telling the history of Banka Banka ( a cattle station). Excellent ! We stayed 4 days and really relaxed and enjoyed. Yesterday we finally left and travelled further north towards Newcastle Waters rest area. Again an evening of free camping at the side of the road.
This morning we left and arrived at Daly Waters around 1 pm. That's where we are and that's where we will enjoy one or two days around the Daly Waters Pub.
You all should write this spot down on your travel-wish-list ! I added more pictures of last week in the photo books (new one for June). Tonight we will have a nice meal and a drink in the pub.
Looking forward to a great evening with life entertainment of "the chookman" (Chook=chicken).