Katherine

Rob and Jenny came to visit in October (starting a cascade of family visits that are still going!)

Hayden took the week off so we decided to head down to Katherine and explore for a couple of days.

Katherine is about 3 1/2 hours from Darwin, so we set off stopping at Pine Creek for morning tea and then continued on to Edith Falls for lunch...

 It was very hot and there were lots of bugs around, so after lunch and dipping our feet we moved on...here is Edith at Edith Falls...

 We stayed in the Nitmiluk Chalet's because it worked out that a two bedroom Chalet shared between the four of us was cheaper than a permanent tent. I'm SO glad we went for the Chalet because it was super hot an I would have died without air conditioning.

 The next morning we went on the 9am two gorge tour...

 There was a spot between gorge one and two where we did a walk to change boats...

 Then because it was the end of the dry and they'd had no rain, lower than expected water levels meant we had to transfer onto a third boat to see the top part of gorge two...

 But boy it was worth it!

 This was some ancient Aboriginal art found on the rocks between Gorge 1 and 2...

It was spectacular, i'm so glad we did it, and it was lovely to share the experience with Jenny and Rob.

Litchfield

We've been having a great time exploring the Top End. Something that wasn't on our list to do, but we are glad we are here for a time as there is so much to see!

First major attraction...going 130 on the Stuart Hwy...

 We were advised to do as much as possible early on before the build up started. Now it's started we are so glad we did! It's almost impossible to last for very long outside at the moment..this is back when we first got here...first exploration was to Litchfield National park...

 We stopped at the Termite mounds first and were very diligent in obeying the 'stay behind the fence' signs, until Toby threw his shoe over that is.

 These are magnetic termite mounds...

 Finally, the front of Edie's head!

 These are Cathedral termite mounds

 Toby enjoying the red dirt...

 After an unsuccessful attempt to swim at Buley Rockhole (very hard with young children) We made it to Wangi falls for a dip to cool off...

 Later that evening we walked into Taloma falls to watch the sunset

 This is our Tent at Litchfield Safari Camp...we stayed in Don's Donga...hmm...

 On the way home we got some snaps at Florence Falls...

Toby always has his Dizzy Dog for company...

It was amazing to see such a diverse landscape in such a small area, and only an hour from Darwin!