Blue Mountain walk (Pierces Pass)

A short (2km) walk to the clifftop lookout above Pierces Pass near the Bells Line of Road. On the way back from biking weekend in Mudgee

NT Trip Day 9 – Corroboree Park – Darwin (Crowne Plaza)

Corroboree Wetlands Guide Ted

pair of Jabiru

Jabiru

Lily pads

croc on riverbank

Corroboree wetlands cruise wharf

downtown Darwin

Australian Darter

huge croc on riverbank

Jabiru

Corroboree Wetlands

Fogg Dam

Spoonbill

A quick exit from Corroboree Campsite and we were off to Corroboree Wetlands to try and catch the early cruise. Access along a long and dusty unsealed road, but we arrived in time to book the 90min wetland cruise with guide Ted (excellent commentary). This cruise was special for the variety of wildlife and close viewing opportunities. Saw several crocs close up and a good selection of birds. The special highlight was a pair of Jabiru who allowed us to approach to within 50-100m for some great pictures. Ted our guide was keen to illustrate the true profile of the crocs, as opposed to the media hype which has branded them as man-eaters and a danger to man and livestock. He was looking forward to bringing a boatload of politicians to the creek to see if the crocs liked the taste. After a late breakfast at the wetlands Fogg Dam was the next stop. The waterbirds here were prolific, and the bird viewing platform is excellent. Onwards to Humpty Doo and Darwin. I took the camper back after dropping Kath at hotel. After biking across to Charles Darwin NP, I decided to do a few laps of the MTB tracks in the park with two locals from the DORCs (Darwin Off Road Cyclists). This was most enjoyable as most of the tracks were flat and the weather wasn’t too warm. Back at the hotel it was time to pack up the bike again after a tasty Italian meal at café Uno. Watched some of the Stage 8 of TDF. Garmin Connect link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/196970239

NT Trip Day 8 Robin Falls – Corroboree Wetlands

Massive mixed grill! Corroboree Tavern

Florence Falls Panorama

Tolmer Falls

Wangi Falls

Florence Falls

Florence Falls

Florence Falls

Pool below Tolmer Falls

Wangi Falls

Tabletop Swamp

Termite mound

sunset en route to Corroboree

This was a very special day with many swims in various rock pools and waterfalls. Stopped for fuel and a water fill at Adelaide River, before turning in towards Litchfield NP. After a stop at the visitor centre at Bachelor (very helpful lady) we motored on to Magnetic Termite Mounds. Then to Florence Falls for a dip in the rock pool down at the bottom of the falls. This was a popular spot, as access by sealed road is easy from Darwin and Katherine. Next stop Tolmer Falls. Excellent view but no swimming here as the rock pool is inaccessible. The best swimming by far was our next stop Wangi Falls. Again very popular as the swimming hole is very close to car park and campgrounds. This picnic area is quite large and the campsites looked pretty. After a brief stop at Tabletop Swamp where we saw Jabiru (briefly) we headed straight across to Corroboree to the Tavern and Tourist Park. We were starving when we arrived so booked a site at the campground and ordered a meal. I had a mixed grill which was a huge serving of meat, salad, chips and egg tipped onto a plate. The campsites were not well lit or marked at all so finding a power box was challenging. The only redeeming factor here was the limited TV reception for stage 7 of the Tour de France.

NT Trip Day 7 – Katherine Gorge – Robin Falls (Adelaide River)

Blue-faced Honeyeater

burn offs on road to Adelaide River

Robin Falls

swimming in creek below Robin Falls

campfire to sit by under the stars

moonrise at Robin Falls

Road Train!

Termite mounds near Robin Falls

no doubt about the greeting you will receive down this road!

Travelled back through Katherine and along the scenic route towards Litchfield NP (also known as Rum Jungle) led us to Robin Falls which was our most enjoyable campsite alongside a small creek. After arriving at Robin Falls Kathren walked up a rough track to the falls and rock pools (about ¾ hr.) and I rode out along the road towards Adelaide River and found some bush tracks in the area. One track took me up to a transmitter tower on top of a small but steep climb. Most of the tracks on the other side of the main road led into private property. No amenities at Robin Falls, however the seclusion and peaceful surrounds made up for any lack of facilities. We were able to make a campfire, and watch the moonrise over the ridge behind. A number of campers were in the area, and I met a couple of cyclists who were touring from SA to Darwin and had been on the road for many weeks. Garmin Connect link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/196970270

NT Trip Day 6 – Springvale Homestead – Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk)

Katherine Gorge walk

Southern Rockhole - spectacular falls in wet season

swimming at rockholes

on to Pat's Lookout

The beach from Pat's Lookout

swimming at the Gorge

gum blossom

rock wallaby

canoe on Gorge

Nankeen Kestrel

Nankeen Kestrel

Katherine Gorge from Pat's Lookout

Katherine Gorge

swimming hole at the Gorge

Katherine Gorge Panorama

Park Entrance

This was probably our most enjoyable bushwalk, as it took us from the Cultural/Visitors Centre at Nitmiluk (bottom of gorge) up to Pat’s Lookout and the Southern Rockhole, It was hot walking across the rock plateau, and a refreshing dip in the rock hole was just what we needed before walking back down to the Centre. The view on the top of the Gorge was spectacular. Saw quite of few different birds along the way. The return walk was hot, and we found another lookout closer to the end of the gorge before dropping down a series of stone steps to the river and picnic area. This centre is quite modern and had complimentary internet Wi-Fi for lodge guests. The campgrounds were packed out so we luck to find a site (unpowered). Garmin Connect link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/196152655