There was s definite change of climate as we approached the last 30km or so, with many more palm trees and a lot less dry undergrowth. The termite mounds had tripled in both quantity and size, and the foliage was much denser.
The water is around 30 degrees, crystal clear and has a slight flow thanks to the endless supply of natural water from the source just 30 metres away that has apparently originated in the limestone in the far top end of Qld and broken surface again here for us to enjoy.
Our final day took us nearly 100km North to Edith Falls. Again, we travelled through a dry dusty arid area that suddenly opened up into a series of lakes and the only waterfall in the region to flow all year round.
Clambering down the other side of the mountain, we had a late lunch and jumped into the lower lake, which offered a 150m swim to a smaller waterfall.
We were now completely exhausted and hit the road for the hour long trip back and to start packing up ready for the trip to Darwin tomorrow.
Parking was well catered for outside the local van park, and we wandered through to find a stunning tropical oasis. Despite being within the confines of the caravan park, this was completely free and superbly maintained.
The water is around 30 degrees, crystal clear and has a slight flow thanks to the endless supply of natural water from the source just 30 metres away that has apparently originated in the limestone in the far top end of Qld and broken surface again here for us to enjoy.
After an hour or so of splashing about and agreeing this was going to be a stop on the homeward leg of our journey, we said goodbye to our newly acquired travelling companions ( @gypsydustandwanderlust) who happened to be here as well.
Just up the road was Bitter Springs. Much harder to find a park with the van, and we ended up in the mud on the side of the road - I suspect illegally parked, but with this heat, I didn’t care.
This was vastly different from Mataranka in that it was a completely natural river, with a faster flow, and full of fallen logs, lilly pads and other growth that needed to be avoided as you floated down the crystal clear warm flowing spring.
After 3-4 “floats” we said goodbye to another family we had originally met in Daly Waters and set off to Katherine.
Not sure why, but we had both assumed Katherine was going to be a tropical town filled with lush green-ness. Alas, no....
Maybe in the wet season it is, but right now it is a hot dry dusty place with a river running through it (and more hot springs!).
We are booked into Shady Lane van park which is 15 minutes out of town and on the road to the Gorges, which is the main reason we came here.
The park is very quiet and nice enough, but still no green grass. We were parked right next to the pool, which was well utilised for the times we were here.
Day 2 was spent on a 3 Gorge tour. Fascinating information and amazing scenery that will never display correctly in photos. We spotted about 5 freshwater crocs on the banks on the boat trip, and we also got to swim in one of the upper pools where they are “pretty sure” there are no crocs.
Our final day took us nearly 100km North to Edith Falls. Again, we travelled through a dry dusty arid area that suddenly opened up into a series of lakes and the only waterfall in the region to flow all year round.
The hot, dry 35 minute walk up the side of a mountain was well worth the incredible swimming hole above the falls, in another crystal clear lake that appeared to be deeper than the abyss.
Clambering down the other side of the mountain, we had a late lunch and jumped into the lower lake, which offered a 150m swim to a smaller waterfall.
We were now completely exhausted and hit the road for the hour long trip back and to start packing up ready for the trip to Darwin tomorrow.
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