We couldn’t see any reason to extend our stay in the area,
so Friday morning we packed up and made our way to Adelaide River. We stopped en route at Robin Falls, a bit tight for our caravan perhaps as there were already vehicles in there. A rocky walk to the top but a lovely waterfall when we finally got there. There was a lovely pool at the car park, and Jim decided on a quick cool off after our walk.
We stopped in the small township of Adelaide River, bought a few supplies, had a look at the nice caravan park and decided to also check out Mt Bundy Station, just a few k’s out of town. We drove in to look at the camp sites, and a group of people sitting together immediately started talking to us telling us what a great place it was. One had come for a couple of weeks and was still there eighteen months later. It did look nice and shady so we decided to give it a go for the night. Friday was campfire night and we had sausage, bread, onion and coleslaw for the princely sum of $3. It didn’t take us long to decide to take up the offer of pay 3 stay 4 and instead of camping in Litchfield National Park, we would do a day trip instead.
We stopped in the small township of Adelaide River, bought a few supplies, had a look at the nice caravan park and decided to also check out Mt Bundy Station, just a few k’s out of town. We drove in to look at the camp sites, and a group of people sitting together immediately started talking to us telling us what a great place it was. One had come for a couple of weeks and was still there eighteen months later. It did look nice and shady so we decided to give it a go for the night. Friday was campfire night and we had sausage, bread, onion and coleslaw for the princely sum of $3. It didn’t take us long to decide to take up the offer of pay 3 stay 4 and instead of camping in Litchfield National Park, we would do a day trip instead.
Our shady site under the Banyan tree
Water buffalo in the front paddock
It was exceptionally hot, but we went to the Commonwealth Graves where those killed in the bombing of Darwin are buried. We only looked at what was in the shade as standing in the sun was enough to fry you.
Saturday became a housework day catching up washing etc
while Jim unsuccessfully tried fishing in the Adelaide River. We had a nice quiet afternoon, some more
fishing but the best thing being that it felt about ten degrees less than the
unbelievably hot day before. Before we
knew it, it was happy hour and time to sit around together and hear about the
ones who did catch barra that day.
Sunday we planned to visit the Railway Museum, but as soon as we stepped out of the car it started raining. It looked like a lot of it was out of doors, so we put that tour off. But we did stumble on a Sunday Market in the town, where surprisingly it was barely raining despite heavy rain about 500 metres away. After a drive around the area we returned to camp for lunch and it rained most of the afternoon. Once it eased, Jim tried fishing again, and I worked on putting together nearly five weeks of this blog.
We have experienced wet season and dry season, but not the transition. After the rain on Sunday, it was like someone flicked a switch Sunday night, and the dry season had started. Hooray! Night temperatures especially dropped immensely and we could finally sleep without the air conditioner running. After Friday's unbelievably high, uncomfortable temperature, it was now quite pleasant.
So Monday was our trip to Litchfield. Lucky NT, this was their third long weekend in a row, but unfortunately for us it meant lots more people in Litchfield on our day there. Going via the highway, it was only about 30 k's to Batchelor, and we spent some time looking around this green, cool looking town, and following its WW2 history.
And then we took the road to Litchfield, with Darwinites and bus tourers. First stop was the termite mounds. We have seen many on our travels, but must admit that these were pretty impressive.
On then to Florance Falls, where we opted just for the viewing area as two buses had just disgorged some keen swimmers. It's a wonderful pool, but we couldn't believe the death wish of a couple of young boys who climbed the falls and jumped from that huge distance.
Thinking we were smart, we headed back to Buley Rock Pools where buses and caravans were banned. It seemed everyone else with just a car had also thought that was a good idea, as the car park was full. Just near the end, we saw a spare space, but as we headed to it, we discovered it being guarded by a young girl. She said she was holding it for friends who had to park in the camping area. But then to Jim's devastation, she said to him, but that's all right, you are old, I will let you have it. He nearly drove on he was so put out. But the thought of no park won out, and he took it.
The rock pools are just beautiful, lots of pools and spas, but of course lots of people being the long weekend. We enjoyed our dip, but left earlier than we would have because of the crowds.
On then to look at the beautiful Tolmer Falls, Wangi Falls for lunch (no swimming because of water heights and the threat of crocs) and then on to the Cascades.
Now, we thought, we will beat the crowds. There are upper and lower falls, the lower 1.3 k walk and the more difficult! upper 1.7. We decided on the lower. The first 800 metres were Ok, if a little sandy in places, but then the last 500 metres really tested us. We were clambering over sharp rocks, crossing creeks, walking over logs, and generally wondering were we on the right track. But just as we were ready to give up, there were the Cascades with only 3 other couples in there. A lovely swim, but then we had to go back over all those obstacles.
By this stage we had gone through the extent of the park, although a number of things were not opened because of the late wet season. So heading back, it was around 4, and we thought, all those Darwinites should be heading back by now, let's try again at Buley Rock Pools. To our dismay the car park was even more crowded, so we gave up on that and headed back to Adelaide River.
Tea time - a long day, who can be bothered cooking, so we headed into the Adelaide River Inn for a nice feed of barra, chips and salad. And who can resist a photo with Charlie, the water buffalo from the Crocodile Dundee movies, suitably stuffed and mounted.
We have experienced wet season and dry season, but not the transition. After the rain on Sunday, it was like someone flicked a switch Sunday night, and the dry season had started. Hooray! Night temperatures especially dropped immensely and we could finally sleep without the air conditioner running. After Friday's unbelievably high, uncomfortable temperature, it was now quite pleasant.
So Monday was our trip to Litchfield. Lucky NT, this was their third long weekend in a row, but unfortunately for us it meant lots more people in Litchfield on our day there. Going via the highway, it was only about 30 k's to Batchelor, and we spent some time looking around this green, cool looking town, and following its WW2 history.
And then we took the road to Litchfield, with Darwinites and bus tourers. First stop was the termite mounds. We have seen many on our travels, but must admit that these were pretty impressive.
On then to Florance Falls, where we opted just for the viewing area as two buses had just disgorged some keen swimmers. It's a wonderful pool, but we couldn't believe the death wish of a couple of young boys who climbed the falls and jumped from that huge distance.
Thinking we were smart, we headed back to Buley Rock Pools where buses and caravans were banned. It seemed everyone else with just a car had also thought that was a good idea, as the car park was full. Just near the end, we saw a spare space, but as we headed to it, we discovered it being guarded by a young girl. She said she was holding it for friends who had to park in the camping area. But then to Jim's devastation, she said to him, but that's all right, you are old, I will let you have it. He nearly drove on he was so put out. But the thought of no park won out, and he took it.
The rock pools are just beautiful, lots of pools and spas, but of course lots of people being the long weekend. We enjoyed our dip, but left earlier than we would have because of the crowds.
On then to look at the beautiful Tolmer Falls, Wangi Falls for lunch (no swimming because of water heights and the threat of crocs) and then on to the Cascades.
Tolmar Falls
Wangi Falls
By this stage we had gone through the extent of the park, although a number of things were not opened because of the late wet season. So heading back, it was around 4, and we thought, all those Darwinites should be heading back by now, let's try again at Buley Rock Pools. To our dismay the car park was even more crowded, so we gave up on that and headed back to Adelaide River.
Tea time - a long day, who can be bothered cooking, so we headed into the Adelaide River Inn for a nice feed of barra, chips and salad. And who can resist a photo with Charlie, the water buffalo from the Crocodile Dundee movies, suitably stuffed and mounted.
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