Around The World In 42 Days

[SwanR]

Looks amazing, we would definitely want to get round a bit more of the country if we ever went back.

[LizG]

2 hours ago, SwanR said:

Looks amazing, we would definitely want to get round a bit more of the country if we ever went back.

I rather like Darwin and I think they are making a big effort to encourage tourism! 

[LizG]

Today was an adventure day with a guided trip to Corroboree Billabong! Our driver and guide gave us an hour long commentary - he explained the local habitats, more about Darwin in WW2, the reasons for targeted burning of the scrub, Aboriginal traditions and much more! The billabong is the result of the wet season floods and is an amazing wildlife habitat! 

Our first stop was Fogg Dam created due to a brainwave idea of growing rice which failed but created an amazing wildlife habitat! 

Our next stop was the Corroboree Park Tavern frequented as much by locals as tourists! 

At the Corroboree Billabong we were given lunch, a 2 1/2 boat trip, saw numerous Salties and Freshies as well as many Jabiru and more. A great day out. We shall be off grid again tomorrow.....they also hire 'house boats' on the billabong. Freshies are smaller not so common and harder to photo by the way!

[LizG]

Not sure if this will post so will keep photos to the minimum! Now in Katherine having set off from Darwin early after picking up a non sophisticated hire car. No fancy stuff this time! Our destination was the Litchfield NP - mostly trees but we stopped at 3 spectacular falls plus the very rare magnetic termite mounds as opposed to the more common Cathedral mounds! Followed the route of the Ghan for much of the day but just glimpsed the tail end of a freight train instead! There are also Road Trains comprising huge trucks with 3 or 4 trailers!!! Cruise ship in Darwin this morning! (It helped leaving to the morning when the WiFi wasn't being used )

[ChrisB]

When you see the dust of a road train coming you pull over. They travel fast.

This "little" 22 axle beaut was fully loaded with agregate when I passed him pulled over between Ularu and Kata Tjuta. 

[LizG]

Continuing our 'top end' tour we simply drove to the Nitmiluk Gorge today for a boat trip along the River Katherine which consisted of 2 boats and a walk between them and some fantastic scenery. The town of Katherine isn't overflowing with tourist attractions but does have an old Station (1926) plus the new one serving the Ghan which is several kms outside the town! Note eldest daughter is a Katherine!

[LizG]

Catching up from yesterday we left Katherine early, checked out the old railway bridge across the river with it's flood height marks (photo not clear but says 19m) and drove on to the Edith Falls. The walk to see them was one of those that I don't want to repeat too often...If anyone is wondering how these places were named it was something to do with the governor unable to pay a contractor so he told him he could name the places after his children as you do! We stopped at Pine Creek another old railway town and then set off for the Kakodu National Park staying in a lodge at Cooinda. 
We had both a sunset and sunrise boat trip on the Yellow Water Billabong seeing lots of wildlife and more salties! We stopped at a site with a walk to see the cave art (temperature peaking at 33d c)..Now in Jabiru catching up with the washing - staying in a hotel built in the shape of a crocodile! Also repaired one of the suitcases with one of those sewing kits!

[LizG]

Set off from Jabiru in the direction of Cahill's Crossing and Ubbr and some sandstone walks and cave art. Jabiru was only built in 1982 to support the then Uranium Mine which subsequently closed and now the tourist industry - will explain why there is nothing there. Now back in Darwin near the airport for tomorrow's new destination!

[LizG]

We flew to Alice Springs yesterday morning picked up another hire car and first went to Anzac Hill and then the historic Telegraph Station. We then walked into the town in search of some good beer but found the 'locals' were out in force so gave up on that.
The forecast today was cloudy and possible rain so we set off early on the Red Center Way. Our first stop after driving past Lassisters (Priscilla Queen of the Desert fame!) was Ormiston Gorge and we then retraced our way back via the Ochre Pits, then Ellery Creek Big Hole and Simpson's Gap where there was a gale blowing through the gap in the cliffs! Final stop was John Flynn's grave who was responsible for setting up the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A final detour to the Old Ghan Railway Museum and a look around the 'the old bits' of the town. It hasn't rained yet?

Sorry photo overload tonight

 

[Gracie]

Thank goodness, I thought you'd got lost in a ruddy rain forest or something 

Thank you for this Liz, absolutely loving it. 

Grace x

[LizG]

Been struggling with dodgy WiFi and no time! The rain caught up with us yesterday but didn't stop us doing anything. We drove about Alice Springs and found the southbound Ghan in the station all 27 coaches! We stopped at the Old Ghan Railway for something to eat but the cafe was closed! After that we set off down the Stuart Highway..... staying overnight in a Roadhouse lodge which said it was the centre of the centre! It was quite cool weather!

[LizG]

We set off from the Erldunda Roadhouse on the Lassister Highway destination Yulara for Uluru / Ayres Rock and Kata Tjuta (the Olga's). Although it was sunny it was much cooler with a brisk cold south wind (note the south wind is the cold one). Thankfully we have packed warm gloves! Needless to say there is potential for photo/sunset/sunrise overload! It's also a very busy tourist destination. Photos in reverse order so sunrise this morning before yesterday's sunset at Kata Tjuta

[LizG]

Just a few photos from today whilst first stopping on the Hop on Hop bus at the Mala walk and then watching the sunset over Uluru. Some photos zoomed in. Tomorrow we are off on an adventure?

[ChrisB]

I can't really see from your picture, but with the permanent closure of Ularu itself to climbers, have they removed the climbing chain? When last there it was closed due to thunder storms. But out of respect, I would not climb it.

[SwanR]

Fascinating. Thank you so much for continuing to update us all Liz. I would imagine that Uluru is a sight once seen never forgotten.

[Gracie]

11 hours ago, SwanR said:

 I would imagine that Uluru is a sight once seen never forgotten.

Nor are the Crocs 

Thank you once again from me too Liz. Lordy knows how you must feel at the end of days travelling, I'm exhausted just reading this 

Grace x

[kpnut]

Thankyou for taking the time to write these posts. 
I love that Ghan train. 
Your tale must have been on my mind while I was asleep last night as I pictured the globe showing Australia in all its vastness rather than picturing it as shown on a flat map. 

[LizG]

18 hours ago, ChrisB said:

I can't really see from your picture, but with the permanent closure of Ularu itself to climbers, have they removed the climbing chain? When last there it was closed due to thunder storms. But out of respect, I would not climb it.

Yes the chain has gone just a vague line still visible. We overheard a guide saying that there were three reasons. Too many deaths, environmental such as rubbish being left including lithium batteries which polluted the water and of course respect!

[LizG]

The adventure didn't go quite as planned but required a 4.45am coach pickup!!! Destination was the King's Canyon (featured in Priscilla Queen of the Desert). What I only found quite late was that to get to the Rim Walk, a climb of 500 uneven steps up an almost vertical cliff face was required! I signed my life away literally with the tour company but made about 20 steps when I knew I shouldn't attempt it! I wasn't the only one that came back. The alternative was a walk along the Creek! Disappointing but ......

The coach journey included two Roadhouse stops and an opportunity to see Mount Connor nicknamed foolaru! Zoomed in image 8).  In the evening we went to the local viewpoint for sunset views!

[ChrisB]

We could not face the drive to Kings Canyon. So went direct! Straight over Lake Amadeus. Also an early start but back for early pm.

Note the navigation! I thought I hope you remembered to charge your I-Pad.

[LizG]

After yesterday's failure we completed the Uluru Base Walk this morning an easy 8 mile flat walk! Started at 7.20 with a temperature of 0d c just as the sun was rising. Many parts of the walk pass sensitive areas so no photography is allowed but it was still amazing. Breakfast was provided half way round. Just a few more things to do before moving on.....

[LizG]

And just like that we are on the move again, it's going to be a very long day! However we still had time to have a meal under the stars last night. It was freezing but the stars in dark sky were amazing and then a cloudy sunrise at Uluru

[SwanR]

If that departure board was anything to go by then my guess is you're moving on to Sydney. I remain totally fascinated by the place after our month out there. Would love to go back one day.

[LizG]

13 hours ago, SwanR said:

If that departure board was anything to go by then my guess is you're moving on to Sydney. I remain totally fascinated by the place after our month out there. Would love to go back one day.

Only briefly as I said it was going to be a long day! If you can read it. Write up tomorrow?

[SwanR]

Oh wow! Honolulu. 🤩 I vaguely thought about that as a stopping point if we had flown west and gone the longer way round the world.