Litchfield Park to Broome

Cable Beach

Gantheaume Point

Ord River Dam

Dinosaur Footprint

Sandy Creek Falls

Cathedral Termite Mound

Five Rivers Lookout

The last two weeks we have visited Litchfield Park, had one night at Katherine before making our way across the Kimberlies to Broome!

Litchfield Park was lovely, we went walking and swimming at Buley Rockhole, Sandy Creek Falls and Wangi Falls. While at Sandy Creek Falls we meet a lovely German couple who lost their car keys somewhere in the water, certainly not much chance of finding them. After looking for an hour or so we ended up giving them a lift, all 7 of us swished in the Hilux, back to our caravan park were they could get some help. We also visited Blyth Homestead ruins near a old tin mine and the rather large cathedral and magnetic termite mounds.

After four nights at Litchfield Park we then headed to Katherine for one night, the next day travelled over the WA boarder into Kununarra. While at Katherine we read though the Quarantine guide and very disappointed to learn that we couldn't take Dominic's geraniums over the boarder. Dominic was very upset as Granma gave them to him for his birthday before we left Armidale in January, and they have survived the trip very well. We were lucky that the caravan park owners were happy to look after them for us. We also had to get rid of all fruit and vegetables also.

Kununarra was very busy and hot, the max temp while we were there was 36 -37 c. The pool at the caravan park was always very full, even so we needed a dip everyday. Benn and I voted at Kununarra taking it in turns, Benn waited 2 hours in the line at 8 am in the morning, and I waited 1.5 hours at 4 pm! Just so many interstate voters! We went out to visit the Ord River Dam and Lake Arkyle, just massive. We had a lovely picnic in the shade, after Benn and the kids rode their bikes over the dam wall. Also visited Wyndham, and had picnic lunch at the Five Rivers lookout - just beautiful!

The 650 kilometre drive from Kununarra to Fitzroy Crossing was hot, and we were glad we had A/C. We only had two stops, at Halls Creek for cold drinks and Diesel, then on side of road next to massive Boab tree for lunch. Kids did very well, thanks to DS games and DVD's! After a lovely stay at Fitzroy Crossing we made it to Broome via a sightseeing visit to Derby. Saw the prison Boab tree near Derby that travellers and Aboriginal prisoners often had a rest at on their way through back in late 1800's early 1900's.

Broome has been fantastic! We went straight to Cable Beach after setting up, we arrived just in time for the sunset! Just beautiful, the sand goes for miles before the water, we had dinner on the beach and kids played in the sand for hours! While in Broome we have more visits to Cable Beach, Town Beach and waterpark, visited the Willie Creek Pearl Farm (learnt how pearls are farmed!), historical museum, visited the Dinosaur footprints on Gantheaume Point and were lucky to be here to see Staircase to the Moon which only happens once a month with the full moon. Tomorrow we travel to Barn Hill 1.5 hours south, a station on the beach for a few days.

Bye xx

Kakadu to Darwin

Hello! Can't believe another 3 weeks have passed since I last wrote! We spent 3 days at Katherine Gorge, loved the cruise, walks and pool! We actually met relations from a family we know well from Armidale, so that was pretty cool.

We had 5 nights at Cooinda, Kakadu and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I had mixed comments from some other travellers before we arrived so was wondering what it would be like. We loved it! It was rather hot, most days into the mid 30s. The yellow water cruises were very interesting, the birds were numerous and spectacular, also saw many crocodiles (the tour guide told us they are very lazy and wait with there mouths open for the fish to swim in!). Also just loved the variety of trees and plants, lily pads etc. Found the rock art amazing, would like to learn more about it. We visited Nourlangie Rock, a good walk with many different areas of rock art. We went swimming with freshwater crocs at Barramundi gorge (5 mins for me!) and Gunlom Falls. Benn actually worked at Cooinda 23 years ago, he enjoyed catching up with some of the traditional owners they were in the bar the afternoon we arrived. David, Sylvia and Rosie remembered him, but all the elders he knew well had passed on. I was told Benn was family to them, so now I was family too, even though I was white I was black! They were very welcoming, but I struggled with the language they tried to teach me. Overall, a very amazing experience, one I will never forget.

We went on a plane ride over most of Kakadu and some of Arnhem Land on our last day, absolutely amazing! The rock formations, rivers and such a variety of ecosystems! The uranium mine was also an interesting imagine from the air. We even had a history lesson on the early explorers of the area!

After Kakadu we headed for Darwin, arrived Tuesday 3rd August and are still here, leaving tomorrow. We have all enjoyed Darwin! Mum and Dad arrived to visit on Thursday staying for 6 nights in a cabin at the caravan park. We had a wonderful time together. Went to the Mindil Sunset Markets on the first night, sunset over the water was a sight! We have been to the wave pool, shopping in the Mall, the WWII oil tunnels, Aviation Museum, NT Museum, Stokes Wharf(for dinner) and the waterpark (recreation area with slides, playarea, pool and skate park). I have really loved shopping even if I have only bought groceries, I has missed woolies and just window shopping over the last few weeks. I took Jacinta on a special girls morning and we just hung out at the shops and even got our hair cut, very satisfying!

The kids took it in turns to sleep at Granma and Granpa's, so very exciting to have sleepover while camping. We have also just enjoyed swimming at the pool at the caravan park and the kids have enjoyed making things out of cardboard boxes that we collected from Bunnings. (mind you a bit upset when I said we could only keep two things each out of about 15 creations (eg: planes, trucks, etc) as they would not fit in the caravan to travel!!) Can't imagine when we live in a house again, we might have a garage full of cardboard creations....

Well off to get dinner organised and finish packing up for departure tomorrow to Litchfield park,

B x