Northern Territory - Darwin - Uluru - Melbourne

Northern Territory - 2012

Just returned from a fantastic and relaxing (very humid) holiday to stay with Jamie and Maddy in Darwin and have a look around. This is my third trip to Darwin, the first back in 1972 on a family holiday....things have really changed since then I can say. (post Cyclone Tracey).
As Maddy was working Jamie showed us around Litchfield National Park, and a few places were closed, although the wet season had not exactly arrived in full.


   

Jamie showing his ability to make a big splash! He was promptly followed by a much larger fellow who decided he too wanted to get into photos and create a tidal wave!



Wangi Falls



Geoff and I taking a dip (sun smart) in Buley Rock pools. What a fantastic massage against the water pouring down. Really needed that dip, was a little too crowded at Florence Falls and uneven for this old duck to scramble in and out of.

 Geoff and I took a bus tour to Kakadu for a day and took a small plane flight to be gob smacked by the size of Kakadu from the air. Slightly dissappointed as the wet season had not kicked in and the birdlife and waterways were not as I had imagined.



Morning Tea stop on the bus to Kakadu....just up the road from Humpty Doo!

 
Luckily Maddy had contacts and she organised another trip out there a few days later to Carmor Plains Wildlife Reserve, and it was fantastic. A ride on an Airboat around the waterways and across the reserve to see a magnificent display of birds, buffalo, crocs, barramundi jumping out of the road of the crocs, a pack of dingo, wild horses etc....
The 26km driveway in gave us an indication of what we were to see......keep your eyes open, follow the poo trails and you will come across something. Would recommend to anyone.


What are you lookin at?????




Buffalo grazing on the plains....or swimming in the water!




Go around me if you dare!



Having a great time on the Airboat at 80kph...what a great job!

It is usually visited by international hunters to shoot buffalo etc but it is an amazing place that borders the ocean on the other side so also fishing charters as well. A day trip to remember that we all "thoroughly enjoyed".

 

"Bull" the pet 14 ft croc.....will be fed outside the fence soon for saftey sake.



Owners pet "Bull" 14ft hungry croc....and I have never seen such a leap out of a still pond for a chunk of buffalo meat. He tells us you should never stand around any puddle in NT just in case, and now I believe him.




Slithers back in and you would not know anything was there!

  Maddy had a Sunday off so we all jumped on the Ferry for a lunch at the Mandorah Hotel.....Barramundi and salad was the best I had while I was up there. It is a "No hot chips" with any food Hotel....that is a first. Of course Geoff thought that was ridiculous! Very hot day but so relaxing.



Mandorah Jetty



 Kakadu National Park

Colorful rocks.....amazing!

What a show off this species is.



Takign care of its young in flight - never far away.



Yeloow Water Cruise

Plane trip over Kakadu National Park - so much heat from the rocks we had a bit of an up and down trip, probably did not take enough water with us....very very hot up there.

You are so lucky I have eaten....... head count required on last cruise boat through before lunch!!!!



Twin Falls - Seen via small plane which we were lucky enough to be the only passengers.


After leaving Darwin we headed on a bus to Katherine to join The Ghan to Alice Springs as the bridge was still being completed after floods caused major damage. You can never plan what interuptions you may have when you book a holiday 6 months in advance.
At Katherine we chose to do a trip to Katherine Gorge (what we used to call it) now Nitmiluk as we had a fair bit of time to fill in before we could board The Ghan for Alice Springs.

Katherine Gorge - Nitmiluk

 Ayers Rock - Uluru

A flight out to Uluru on arrival at Alice Springs was next. We had a couple of hours to sit around and have something cold, take a walk to the Todd River which was very dry as per usual with little rain and loads of litter as I remember it back in 1972. Some things never change!



Sunset looking towards The Olgas or Kata Tjuta




Ayers Rock or Uluru from the sunset viewing area. Many spots are out of bounds after you pay the $25 entrance fee. Cannot photograph certain areas due to the importance to the locals - alot of changes since i was there last time in 1972 when you could climb and enjoy and camp where you liked. Too many rules and regulations......will be my last visit.
I consider Australia belongs to all those that live here and contribute to make it a better place for the future!



From one of the viewing areas at Yalara.

Dusk at the rock

Geoff on the sunset harley ride we did.....what a great tour around the rock. Once again too many restrictions on what you can photograph and what you cannot. Where you can stop and where you have to move on.



Climbed the rock in 1972 and cannot believe that I did at the age of.....mmm not saying but back then you have no fear. I signed the book and have a certificate...nowadays you buy a certificate to say you didn't climb it. Another money spinner. I say if you want to then do it! Not for the faint hearted and pick your day to do it.