Campfires No 10 - Broome to Daly River

Hi again,  doesn't seem that long ago that I posted the last blog but when I look at the calendar time is going so quickly.  We are now well and truly into the last quarter of our trip and whilst it is coming to an end we have still done some great stuff and still have plenty to do so its not over just yet.

So since my last blog Tricia and I have travelled back across the top end of WA and are currently at the Daly River after coming back down from Darwin.  The trip across was a lot quicker as we didn't really need to stop too much, until we were north of Katherine.  Some of the highlights however were our overnight stay on the cliff tops of Ngumban Cliff  rest area which is part of the Mueller Ranges....  It was blowing a gale upon arrival and this time it didn't let up at all causing the Van to rock a lot during the night (from the wind only) however the view and sunset were well worth it. The next day we headed across through Kununurra and stayed at another rest area just past the WA/NT Border.  As soon as we arrived I quickly set up the Starlink so we could watch the State of Origin and what a game it was.

Sunset Ngumban Cliffs Rest Area

Sunset - Ngumban Cliffs Rest Area

The next day still on a high from the win we headed to Pussy Cat Flats which is a paid camp ground just outside Pine creek.  Like most of these places they have happy hour and live music and we again got to meet some really nice people but what stands out to me is that I looked across the area and saw someone who was the double of my Dad.  I thought I was seeing things but I showed Tricia and she was just as shocked as me.  He was a doppelganger of my Dad.

Next we headed to Darwin as we needed to get the car serviced as it has already clicked over its' 20,000 km and I had a leak in one of the rear airbags hose lines that I needed to fix.   We booked into a caravan park at Lee point which is 15km from Darwin city.  This would allow us to restock on all items and ensure we are ready for the return trip. The caravan park was big but had a really weird layout so much so that our site was an actual side road. It had been over 20 years since Tricia and I lived in Darwin and we wanted to see as much as possible of those things that were new or that we were not aware of when we lived there, so we started with a tour of the old WW2 fuel/oil Tunnels that sit below Darwin city and then caught up with Tricia's Brother (Deano)down at the Waterfront where we enjoyed a few beers beside the rock pools. 

We went to the Museum, Mindil Beach markets and spent ours just walking around and around the local area.  Whilst here we also decided that we would not do Kakadu on this trip and would save it until next time but I wanted to go out to the Bark Hut Inn again so we did a day trip out there with Tricia's brother.  On the way back Deano got us to stop on the side of the road and had us walk into the bush where he showed us some massive man made carvings that had been done by an old Chinese man into the top of the granite rocks.  There is not a lot of detail on how he did it but it would not have been easy and would have taken I assume years to complete.  

Following this Deano took us into a Billbong where he often goes and takes amazing photo's of the wild life.  We drove around and were amazed by the amount of birds until we goy to a spot that looked a little soft...  Lets just say egged on by Deano and Tricia I locked in the diffs, selected low range and almost made it through.  We tried numerous times to get out but was just not enough traction to get up the ridge.  So after Deano and I got out and found some logs that we could put under the wheels and Deano pushing from the back we finally got out without the need for winches or snatch straps all of which I did not have at the time.  Now there is some picture below but not many as princess Tricia not wanting to get her feet muddy stayed glued inside the car until it was finally out.  

Mindil Beach Sunset

Granite Stone Carvings

Wild Rice Granite Stone Carvings

Deano @ Granite Stone Carvings

Water Buffalo at Bark Hut Inn

A dirty Car

Can't believe we got out

Deano (Shouldn't have egged me on to go through)

The next day we did our resupply shopping and prepared for our next move.  Our next stay was at the Darwin River Tavern where we had organised to meet up again with Meg and Pete.  Upon arrival we were told that its is curry and Trivia night at the Tavern and not something to miss.  So after an afternoon cooling off at Berry Springs, the four of us did some revision and entered the Trivia Comp.  There were some pretty serious contenders there that night and whilst we didn't win we didn't come last either so a great night overall.  The following day we went to the Territory Wildlife Park for a few hours and then back to Berry Springs for another cool down. 

Trivia Quiz (non winners) @ Territory Wildlife Park

Some great Metal Art

Friendly Little fella

Berry Springs

It was great spending time with Meg and Pete again and we wish them all the best with there continued travels both in Australia and overseas but for us it was time to move on again.  Destination Litchfield National Park.  We had spent a lot of time here when living in the NT but it is one of those places that just draws you back.  We went to Surprise Creek Falls, Wangi Falls and then back to our favourite spot which was Buley Rock pools.  The difference this time is that it has been upgraded with covered Picnic tables and toilets and a and a pathway that runs from Buley to Florence waterfalls.  Upon our arrival it was packed but we had been told there were some less known water holes on the way to Florence falls so we decided to walk the path.  We were not disappointed, we came across at least another three swimming areas on our walk and for the most part Tricia and I were the only ones there.  When we got back we did go a look at the old swimming hole and I am so glad we didn't go there first as it is no where near as good as it used to be.  It seems like the water has been redirected.

Swimming Holes at Surprise Creek  Falls

Swimming Holes, Surprise Creek Falls

Surprise Creek Falls

Wangi Falls

Hidden gems at Buley Waterholes

Splish splash Matt taking a Bath

Hidden Gem (between Buley Water Hole and Florence Falls)

Florence Falls

So that brings us to now, the Daly River.  This is a croc infested river and big big crocs.  When we lived up here you could hire dinghies and go fishing for Barramundi.  Apparently not any more....  Only way to barra fish here now is if you own a boat, pay for a charter (Fully booked out for Aug) or fish from the banks.  Not the way we wanted to do it but fun still the same.  Unfortunately the Barra are fussy at the moment and aren't taking lures (as we found out) but they are biting on something called cherabin (fresh water Prawn) but to get these you need to put a crab pot out in the river and I am not going to get that close to the river without a boat so unfortunately our couple of days here where a win for the Barra.

Daly River Pontoon across Road from Accommodation

Couple a crocs on the river

Tricia and I ready for some Barra Fishing

Throwing Lures for Barra on Daly River

Barra Fishing (Daly River)

Still Happy even though we did not get any Barra

So what's next? well Tricia and I are still keen on catching the big Barra so we have decided to head to Kurumba up in the gulf.   We are leaving tomorrow and will take our time getting there as we need to go via Camooweal due to the road conditions still on some of the Savannah Way.

So until next time keep safe and well.

Cheers

Matt & Tricia