Friday 20.7.12

Today we drove to Kununurra. When we got into Kununurra and got to the caravan park we wanted to stay in and tried to get a powered site but we found out that there was no powered sites left so we drove out to Lake Argyle caravan park and got a site there.

After we set up we went drove the 75km back into Kununurra to do the shopping. When we got to the shops we had lunch at a cafe. After lunch Mum and I went into the souvenier shop and had a look around. Then we went into Coles and did the grocery shopping.

By the time we finished it was 4 o’clock, so we finished packing the car and drove back out to Lake Argyle.

Saturday 21.7.12

Today we went kayaking on Lake Argyle.

When we first set off it was really windy which made it more difficult to paddle.

 While we were kayaking in a cove we saw a dead catfish lying upside down in the reeds.

After lunch we went for a swim in the pool but it was freezing cold like it was full of ice cubes. But we still went for a swim because it was an infinity pool. Once we were all in we got lots of photos of us sitting on the edge. The way the pool was positioned was really pretty because it was on a cliff overlooking Lake Argyle and big mountains in the water.

After we had finished in the pool and were on our way back to camp Dave heard all these birds going off, so he went to go check it out. After looking in the tree for a while he noticed that there was a snake in the tree. After standing there for a while a crowd started to form and we found out that it was a brown tree snake.

Sunday 22.7.12

Today we drove to Gregory National Park in the Northern Territory.

When we reached the border we got out of the cars and took lots of photos, some with silly poses. It was brief but fun.

We then travelled to Bullita Homestead campground on the East Baines River. Bullita is a historic cattle station which was originally an outstation of Humbert station.  The homestead has been kept intact and had a lot of information about station life and how a lady was caught in a flood and spent a whole night in a tree while she waited for the flood waters to subside. 

Once we had set up camp we went to collect fire wood for the very first fire we were going to have in the Northern Territory. Yay.

That night after dinner Karen put the last packet of Mystic Fire in the fire place and it was really pretty with all the greens and blues in the flames.

Monday 23.7.12

Today we went to do the Limestone Gorge walk within Gregory National Park.

When it first started it was really hot because there was no shade from the trees, but as you walked on further it got cooler.

We stopped at the Limestone Gorge billabong to have something to eat.

When we got back we had lunch and sat down for awhile. At about 3 o’clock Karen and Dad left to go fishing in the river near the old homestead, which left Mum, Louise, Dave and I to do what we wanted. After they left Mum and I went into the camper trailer to have a rest and play Minecraft.

Tuesday 24.7.12

Today we drove to Katherine. On the way we stopped at Victoria River Roadhouse and booked into Nitmuluk (Katherine Gorge). Near the Roadhouse was a spectacular range and the majestic Victoria river.

When we got to Katherine Mum, Karen, Louise and I went food shopping while Dave and Dad fueled up the cars.

After shopping we drove out to Katherine Gorge to stay at the Nitmiluk caravan park. We will be staying here for 3 days and 3 nights and plan to go kayaking through the gorge.

After we set up Dad, Dave, Louise and I went for a swim in the pool and it was cold but refreshing after getting all hot and sweaty setting up the camp. Throughout the camp there were a lot of Agile Rock wallabies and we got a photo of a mum with her joey still in the pouch. We also put some water down for them to drink and the mother drank from a plastic cup.

Wednesday 25.7.12

Today we Mum, Dave, Louise and I didn’t do anything but Dad and Karen went kayaking and fishing. Dad caught 4 fish and Karen caught none.

At about 10 o’clock Mum, Dave, Louise and I went swimming till about 1 o’clock. After lunch Mum and I watched the movie Kung Pow and it was hilarious.

When Dad and Karen got back dad told me that he caught four archer fish and Karen didn’t get a single bite. Dad also told me that I got sunburnt on the shoulders.

I also got a shirt that says Nitmiluk Katherine Gorge N.T.

Tomorrow we hope to go kayaking up to the second gorge.

Thursday 26.7.12

Today we went kayaking up the Katherine Gorge. We left at about 10am and by the time we set the inflatable kayaks up it was about 10.30 by the time we hit the water.

We kayaked up the first gorge which took us about an hour. 

When we reached the end of gorge one there was two groups of rapids which meant we had to carry the four kayaks around to gorge two. Dad and Dave drew the short straw for carrying them across while the girls carried the rest of the gear.

Gorge two was spectacular with sheer rock faces with hues of orange, black and grey colouring. Gorge two went on forever (about 4km long). When we got to the first bend there was a fresh water crocodile lazily sunning himself on a rock near the edge of the gorge.

When we reached the edge of gorge two we had lunch and a swim. Mum and I sat in the rapids and dad took pictures of us and mum’s crocodile hat. Also at the time Dave, using his swim goggles, found a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses.

On the way back we got to the rapids between gorge 1 and gorge 2 and decided to float the kayaks down instead of carrying them down. The adults took the kayaks and Louise and I “shot the rapids” (we swam the rapids).

Back in the first gorge dad spotted a tortoise close to the bank but we had already gone past it so I didn’t see it.

By the time we got back I was exhausted but it was a great day. Even now as I write my journal my butt is still really sore.

It’s now 8.30pm and I am going to go to bed.

Friday 27.6.12

Today we traveled from Katherine to Kakadu.

We travelled for 4 hours and arrived at Yellow Waters Cooinda Lodge Resort where we will be staying for 5 days.

When we went to the toilets at night we heard and saw white barking geckos on the wall catching moths.

Saturday 28.7.12

Today we went to Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls.

The first fall we did was Twin Falls because it is not a long walk.

To access Twin Falls you have to get a boat ferry from the end of first walking trail to the beginning of the next because the gorge is inhabited by salt water crocodiles. Then you have to rock hop over rocks which then comes to a jetty in the water. Once you had crossed it you had to do some more rock hopping which then brought you out on to a sandy beach.

When we reached the falls they were spectacular. We got lots of photos with and with out us in them. The other amazing thing is that the water parts at the top of the falls and comes down into two separate streams giving it its name Twin Falls. The falls were about 150m high and they dropped into a big plunge pool which was really clear but we were unable to swim in it because of the salt water crocodile risk which was disappointing because it was so beautiful.

Next we did Jim Jim Falls.

When we reached Jim Jim Falls carpark and had a look at the signs it said Jim Jim Falls 900m from viewing point. Because Dave, Dad, Louise and I are a lot faster than Karen and Mum we got ahead and when they got to a sign that had two different paths they went the wrong way.

Near the end the walk was quite difficult because you had to climb over big rocks.

When we got to the end the waterfall was amazing, but the plunge pool was freezing cold (but warmer than the pool at Lake Argyle).

 Louise and I got to the end first. As we were getting ready to go for a swim I looked down and saw a live snake which scared me because I didn’t know what sort of snake it was. A tour guide, who was also there, picked it up to show his group and explain that it was a Golden Tree Snake which wasn’t supposed to be dangerous.

 Jim Jim Falls

That night we went out to dinner and on a night cruise of Yellow Waters and because the moon was out you could see lots of stars and hear lots of birds and fish. The tour was to explain the night sky and how it related to the local aboriginal culture. When we got off the boat I thought to myself “that was an amazing way to spend the night”.

When we got back to camp we all went to bed and fell straight to sleep after our big day.

Sunday 29.7.12

Today we did Barramundi Falls and Gunlom Falls.

The first one we did was Barramundi Falls.

The walk was not hard but it was not easy either.

When we got to the falls there was lots of people there. When we got in the water it was nice and not cold like the other places we had been to.

Once we were in there we swam to a ledge beside the waterfall that we were doing bombies off.

After we had had a swim we went back to the cars for lunch.

After lunch we drove to Gunlom Falls.

At Gunlom the water was really cold.

After Dave and Dad went in they got out and decided to go up to the lookout.

When the came back they said it was a spectacular view.

They also said that it was a steep climb up and down and that you had to be careful.