The stunning Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge.
Crossing the border from Western Australia to the Northern Territory, the first thing to change was the speed limit: from 110 km/h to 130 km/h.
Like Western Australia, the Northern Territory also has fantastic free overnight stops for travellers – with toilets, BBQs, picnic tables and dump points for caravan toilets. Vince Connoly Limestone Creek Rest Area was already quite full when we arrived and continued to fill as night fell.
The temperature in Katherine was above 38°C when we booked into the Nitmiluk Caravan Park, with no breeze.
We opted for a boat tour through Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge instead of hiking around the rim. The guide gave an excellent commentary on the geology, wildlife and climate plus the culture and history of the local Jawoyn people.
Nitmiluk/Katherine Gorge is a series of 13 gorges. Being the end of the dry season, the water level was so low that we needed to walk over the rock bar from the boat on the first gorge to the boat on the second. Earlier in the season there was no need to change boats to visit the various gorges.
These are fresh water crocodile tracks. It is breeding season and the females are walking up the sand to lay their eggs.
Saw some aboriginal art work on the walk between gorges. Some of the art work was up very high – presumably a rock shelf has fallen sometime over the 3,000 years since it was done.
Enjoyed a wonderful sunset diner while cruising back to the jetty.
Heading for Darwin now. Cheers til next time, Helen and Tim