Croyden

13/6/2013 Leichhardt falls
We left Lawn Hill and picked up the "Scenic" Savannah road until we reached the main Savannah road, and stopped at a free camp at Leichhardt Falls.

There were not actually any water falling, but plenty of water at the top and bottom for fishing.  I did catch a small stripy fish on a lure, and was going to use him as a live bait, but thought it a waste of time, to let him go unharmed.

Cleaned out my fishing box, and re-rigged some stuff.  We just tooled around the rest of the day, and had a sump oil camp fire...

 

14/6/2013  Croyden
We continued heading east into Normanton.  The sealed road was a silent pleasure to drive on again, but very boring.  Not that much happening in Normanton.  They do have a replica of the largest croc ever caught, at 8.3m and over 2 ton.  Im sitting next to him.  We filled up the water, fuel, and Lidia bought a couple of the essentials.  We ran out of beer again 2 days ago, mainly because I refused to pay $60 for a case of extra dry in Gregory Downs..  Anyway, 4X was on sale at one of the 3 local pubs, so unfortunately, we are now drinking XXXX gold.  Damn Queenslanders.

We were going to Karumba as a last chance to land my Barra, but I could not take another failure, and locals warned its a bed fishing season.  So, continuing east took us on an easy sealed road to Croyden, where we checked into the caravan park.  It is a  very nice park, and $15 per night with free laundry and nice ammenities, it is priced into what we need.  They even have a communual "Beer and Bulshit" at 5pm. We have that every day..

We also noticed today, the cars air vents were not flowing like they should.  I clened them up the best I could, and put them back. Good air flow again .

Lawn Hill

Little River - 08/06/13

 We left the Daily Waters Pub and turn onto the Carpentaria Highway because Graham wanted to drive on the Savannah Way. The first thing we noticed was that the was a dramatic increase of cars/caravans on this road. And that this is one of this "nothing happening" roads. We stop on this lovely little spot next to the Little River (more like a little swamp right now) where we saw so many black cockatoos  and  green budgies that we couldn't believe our luck. Well maybe luck has nothing to do with it,  just the fact that the wasn't much other water around for animals to drink from. We have little and big visitors(mostly cows) all the time and it was fun just to seat there and watch them come and go.

Black Cocotoos

Budgies (100s of them)
They are amazing in flight, so fast and aerobatic..  We have only ever seen them hopping perch to perch

Hawk (keenly watching budgies)
Some others said the hawk waits for the right moment, then spectacurly goes and gets himself a budgie.  Unfortunately, we didnt see this ourself though

Wood sparrows (the bird guy there told us what they were)

Some other sort of bird normally in cages

 

King Ash Bay Fishing Club 09/06/13

 (Have to come back to this place with a boat and more time)

Lidia was nagging Graham to go to the King Ash Bay Fishing Bay for couple of days and after a big fight Graham surrended. The place was great. We were lucky to get a spot by the river as the camp was packed. We parked the caravan, took chairs and fishing rods, sat down on chairs and ...fished just there and then. Graham got commended by the guys there for getting his fishing rod into the water, before he set up camp.  The people there were so friendly and most people were staying there for months, and do each year.  The fishing technique was to have a boat and a cast net to get live mullet.  Some of them had the livies on and leaving fishing rods behind their caravans with little bells attached to them. One guy caught a shark  and everybody just came around and watched. Graham caught couple of little catfish fish for bait. Rig was a heavy sinker, stainless trace line and a ho-ho-ho-huge hook  It was out with the live bait wiggling around for a couple of hours, when the big something hit it and the drag screemed.  Graham fought it for about 15minutes, before it came to the shore line, and tangled around submerged branches.  We jumped into a boat and tried to pull it back out, but it was too strong and tangled and couldnt budge it.  WE tried the anchor to dislodge, and a hook retreiver, but nothing worked.  Tried to put some pressure on it, but the line snapped, and we never got a look at what it was -  One guy said that Barra always dive for cover..  damn.  THis struggle must have weakened the rod, because just after, the top third of the rod snapped off.  No problem though, Graham continued fishing with a sawn off rod.

Trying to catch some more live bait, Graham hooted a sooty Grunter (Black Bream), but as it came in it tangled around some reeds.  Graham went down to the waters edge to work it loose, when it floated sideways to the surface.  Graham tried to retrieveit with a stick, but couldnt, so waded through the reeds to get it.  He had it in his hands (about 1kg fish) but the line was still tangled, so he snapped the line off, and at than moment the fish flicked itslf out of hand and into water, and disappeared...Damn again

 

Next day, same heavy setup setup and off goes the drag, this time it went straight out for deeper water and had a different feel about it (think this was a shark)..  Kept turning up the drag to wear it out, because it had already taken a lot of line, but only had 35 pound line on  THe reel was running out of line, so a bit more tightening of the drag, but snap.....  damn, another one free.  This was entertaining for our fellow campers, but no fish for Graham.

                                                                                                                                     

Calvert Creek - 10/06/13

We left quite late as Graham was still trying to catch fish. We wash our car and caravan just to get it dusty and dirty again just 5min after we hit the Savannah Way. We decided to stop on one of the free spots that Camps 7 mentions. In the book it says that there are sites on both sides of the river. Well, this is WRONG!!!!.  This photo shows us entering - the rocky/sandy ledge there is steeper than it looks.  We had to go in, turn around then go back up. The Pathfinder saved us again, and LO range dragged the Jayco up and out of the tent camping area.  Lidia was meant to be the photographer, but she was panicking so much, she didnt take any photos of the exit.

 

Once we settle down on the right side of the river we met some people from NSW who were going to King Ash Bay. We had some bonfire together and exchanged some trip stories.

 

 

Kingfisher Camp- 11/06/12

We crossed the border to QLD and the road got quite bad. We were going to go to Burketown but changed our mind and went to Kingfisher Camp instead. Everybody we've met or pass on the Savannah Way were telling us to go there and after that to the Lawn Hill (Boodjamulla)National Park, so we did just that. Kingfisher Camp was a surprise after mills and mills of dirt road as it was quite green and the camping area is on the grass. Buy then we found dust in places we didn't know exists and it was a big break for us to walk on something else than red dirt.

 Time for a roast pork dinner, with australian hardwood smoke ...

 

 

 The savannah way has been a god choice.  THe road was not too bad, and mostly the corrugaret had paths arund them.  Here is some of the sections of the road so far:

 

 

 

 

Adels Grove Caravan Park - 12/06/13

 We were nailing the Savannah way, so we thought we would get a little more excitement on a 4WD track with the van.  IT was really the only way we could reach Lawn Hill, without returning to the savanny way and approaching a different way.

 

The track was more entertaining, and the fuel economy was better on these roads than the highway anyway.

 

We had a couple of awsome creek crossings and the scenery was great, and we only passed a few cars on the whole road.  THe only thing was all of the gates.  Lidia was happy to get out in the hot dust to get the first few, but there must have been 20 gates over the 150km road - notice her change in gate opening routines..

 

 

 

 

After more dirt road and couple of creek crossing we arrived to Adels Grove.The camping area in Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park was full so we had no option but to stay in the caravan park just 10km from the NP. The price for a spot in here is a rip off as they charge you $17 per person for unpowered side!!! And is not even nice in here.

We went to see the Lawn Hill Gorge and went for a swim in the Indarri Falls. It is amazing that after of hours of driving and walking in the dirt you can find place like that.   Still amazes us that down in the Gorge con be so green, cool and so much clear water, and up on the main land is so hot and dry.              

Daly Waters Pub

4/6/2013 - Gungurul (Kakadu)

 

Still no Baramundi on my fishing hook.  We headed for the last camp in Kakadu and dropped off the van before heading on a 4wd track to Maguk. 
 

When we arrived, we were presented with the usual saltwater croc sign.  The funny thing was, that the board walk was under water, and the track actually crossed the creek, where you had to wade through.  Just as well we don't scare easy, cause the pond and falls were quite nice, although, we didn't swim there  ;).

 

Graham was ready to spring into action at the first sign of crocs with his hand crafted spear (stick he found)

 

On the way back out, Graham proved it was a 2WD track by leaving the car in 2WD. Lidia disaproved, but, point to Graham, because we didn't get bogged at all, and it was more fun.




Back at our camp, we took the lookout walk, which ended up being a lot like the other lookouts when you get there. Boring.


We climbed all the way to the top, in 34 deg C heat just to see more trees, and a fire.  Someone needs to rewrite the tourist attractions in this place.

Anyway, beer o'clock came early, and we even had a little campfire.






5/6/2013 Harriet Creek


We decided to visit the last couple of tourists places before leaving Kakadu.  First stop was some stupid lookout at Yurmikmik.  The swinging bridge right near the carpark was the best part of this 5km walk.

We were going to do a river walk on the way back, but we lost the track and had to turn back.

Back in the car air cond was awsome. Another 30mins drive on gravel roads took us to Gunlom.

Gunlom would have to be the best swiming place in we found in Kakadu.

A short walk from the carpark took us to the swiming hole at the bottom of the falls.  There were a couple of aborigini kids swiming so figured it to be safe.  We had a shallow short swim, then headed for the top.  This was a 1km walk/climb, but worth it.  It was a small waterfall and a series of rockpools, with excellent views.  The water was clear and crock free

 

We floated around for a while, had a few faterfall showers, then treked our way back to the carpark.

 

Picked up the van from the Rangers station carpark, then left Kakadu.  In all, it was more expensive than other NT national parks, and not as good.  Other travellers we were talking to were naming it Kaka-dont, instead of Kakadu..

 

Just drove a bit out of the park and stopped at a really nice free camping area near Harriet Creek

 

 

 

6/6/2013 Jalmurark Camp (Elsey National Park)

 

 

Got an early start and arrived back in Katherin.  We filled the fridge and cupboards again in Wollies, fueled the car, got a gas refil then headed straight for the hot springs again..Arrrrr

 

Driving, driving driving.. more boring driving.  Then we arrive at Elsey national Park.  We got a camp site at Jalmurark Campground.  Set up the van, picked up the fishing rod and off we went. We tried every fishing hole along the road and not even a touch.

We kept driving and arrived at the Rainbow Spring and Thermal pools. Just another naturally heated, clear water spring..

 

 

 

We did some more floating then back to camp.  Graham finished the day with some fishing, but lost his Golden Bomber (Bara lure).  Now how will we catch a baramundi?




7/6/2013 Daly Waters Pub (Powered site = air cond)


As we floated around the thermal pools yesterday, people were saying how nice Bitter Springs were.  So, we decided to drop in and see for ourself.

The answer is awesome.  Its the same heated water, but much larger and deeper.  Graham got his snorkeling gear out and we did some more floating around.

Hit the road and drove for a couple of hours and we arrived at Larrimah (pink panther) pub.  We had lunch and a walk through their free zoo

 The guy there had a baby red Kangaroo, he said it was 9 months old and had been hand raised.  It followed him around like a lost puppy.  It was funny to see.  Lidia snuck a pat.

















They had heaps of birds there, and even a 2-3m saltwater croc.  Lidia's favourite were the Red tailed Black Cockatoos

Bit more driving and we arrived at our overnight destination - The Daly Pub.  This pub is not much to look at, and is hard to find, but it has the best beef and barramundi meals.  When we booked in the caravan site, we had to preorder dinner. The 5:30 and 6:30 sessions were sold out so we got a 7:30 seating, with around 50 people per sitting.  Its funny, because we haven't seen this many people for ages, and the caravan park just kept filling up.  But, just freshly back from the 7:30 meal which includes free entertainment from "Chilli" (Dave Chilcott), who is a (barely) kid friendly version of Rodney Rude.  He. has some good jokes and songs about the Northern Territory, so we shelled out 30 clams for 2 CDs. 

Kakadu National Park

1/6/2013 Merl Campground - Kakadu

We decided we would take a river cruise to see jumping crocs in the morning as we were passing, and found the cheapest one we could (just $25 per person).  We were thankful that our boat was a 2 level monstor, rather than this little tinny these people took:

 

The croc they are playing with is a 5 meter salty, and could easily jump on the roof of that boat if he wanted..

These cruises go up the Adelaide river, and dangle pork chops above the water to make the wild crocs jump out.  Here are some of our favorite jumping croc photos: fast, high and cute

 









We though it was a good value cruise, and the driver/narator was excellent.

Next stop was the camp ground where we set the caravan down, and went to Ubirr.  This place has loads of Abo paintings, and a beutiful lookout. 













Each painting conveys a message, and they have plaques set up near each painting describing the story that it tells.

The paintings have been protected from the elements very well, and some are thousands of years old

We drove to the Cahill crossing and fished into the waters there.  One guy had just caught a 50cm Barra, and released it - so I knew there was at least one in there.  I had a golden bomber, and some soft plastics to try out, but none of them worked.  Casted and retrieved for about 1 hour with no luck. Good thing was no one else was catching them either,and didnt get chased by the crocs.




2/6/2013 Djarradjin Campground - Kakadu

I woke up early and went back to the crossing to cast the lure some more.  No one was there except a croc that was just cruising around.  I had pleanty of casting practice, but still no Barra.

We packed up the van and headed into the town Jabiru.  There was a supermarket there,but nothing much to mention.

We drove to the next camp area and set up the van, then headed for Jim Jim falls.  The road in was marked as a 4WD track, but the firt 50kms was freshly graded gravel and a pleasure to drive on.  The last 8kms was more 4WD oriented, with some sand, rocks, hils and water crossings.







Jim Jim falls were pretty amazing. Fairly dificult 1km walk from the car park, but worth is sitting in the cool refreshing mist from the waterfall. They said there is only a trickle of water flowing over them now compared to the wet season.  But they can only be accesed by plane or helicopter during the wet.

The road to the twin falls was still flooded and closed, so unfortunately, we couldnt go there.

This trip took longer that we expected, and we were hoping to make some of the free talks run by the national parks.  They have daily talks on the area/paintings etc, morning and afternoon.  We decided to have an easy afternoon, and catch the morning session


3/6/2013 Mardugal Campground - Kakadu

We went to the morning sessions at Nourlangie and it was excellent. The Ranger knew so much about the area, paintings an aboriginal culture.










After this, we packed up the van and headed for the next campground.  We were planning to use this as a base to explore Yellow Water, but it was closed because it was under water.  Instead, we went to the aboriginie culture centre, which had so much infrmation on the local area and clans..  What they eat, where they live , boats, hunting, entertainment etc. and the big plus was that its air conditioned.

Next we found a resort pool, and decided to sneek a swim.  It was nice, so we just relaxed there for a while - Its nice to swim in water that you know does not have crocs.

With the relaxing done, time to find another secret fishing spot..    The campground hoast told me that Barra is the only fish in these waters that has size restrictions, and there are loads of other types.  The only catch is that you are not allowed to use any baits, just lures.
Everything looked right to me, but still no Barra.