Mataranka and Devils Marbles

Leaving Kakadu we headed back past Katherine and Tennent Creek to head towards Alice Springs. This is a long 2 day grinding drive so Mataranka and the Devils Marbles were welcome stops. Mataranka has a thermal pool and is like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. It was a refreshing stop. Devils Marbles are a unique display of boulders resting on each other. Perched on top of each other they look like they could fall at any time.
Look at the shear strength of Dianne as she single handily lifts up the rock. She must have had her spinach.

Kakadu - Jim Jim and Twin Falls

Staying in Cooinda we took a four wheel drive tour of the amazing Jim Jim and Twin falls ( you have to take a four wheel tour because Matilda would not have been able to make it on the unsealed roads). Jim Jim only runs during the rainy season but it is a massive 150 high rock wall with a tranquil plunge pool to swim in at the bottom. It is also about a 45 minute hike in and it was so hot in Kakadu ( up to 40 degrees) and you are constantly pestered by flies. The trip took about 2 hours to get to Jim Jim rocking and rolling in the four wheel drive. Twin falls runs all year and is an impressive falls but so hot and because of crocs you cannot swim so we only got to take our photos and go.

Kakadu - Yellow Waters Cruises - Cooinda

Can you say Crocodile? We went for a two hour sunset cruise on the Alligator River in Cooinda ( called Alligator because it was first discovered by an American ). We were expecting to see birds and other wildlife, but we were amazed by the number of crocodiles ( must have been at least 12 so we kept our arms and legs in the boat). There was also several beautiful birds and wild horses.

Kakadu National Park - Ubirr

Leaving Katherine we decided to go to Kakadu National Park a world heritage site. We first stopped at Ubirr which house many sites of aboriginal rock art. The rock art has been dated back about 30 000 years and tells stories of what happened during those times. The rock walls have been painted over many times but some of the oldest art can still be seen. It also had a flood plain which had an incredible sunset.

Katherine Gorge

After going across the outback we hit Tennent Creek in the middle where you go up or down. We went up to Katherine. Katherine has a beautiful gorge which we toured for a day and took a refreshing swim. ( the gorge was closed later in the day due to a Croc siting). Lots of wildlife live in the gorge including the Wallabies ( not Roos) and bats ( Flying Foxes) . Katherine had a hot springs which was right down from our campground. It was a great way to relax and revive after a day of hiking. We also went to Edith falls, another incredible swimming hole.

Mt Isa

After our first day travelling in the outback we reached Mt. Isa the biggest town for miles and miles around 3000 pop. Mt Isa is a mining town so we had to do the underground mining tour which was very interesting. At our campsite that night a few bats flew in to keep us company, if you can see there is one looking at us in the tree.

The Vast Outback

After travelling along the coast with lots to see we headed into the outback with nothing to see for miles and miles. Cities are about 200 km. apart and for most part they are a gas station, food and a place to stay.

Strange Things

We've seen and done some strange things while we've been in the outback. Albert licking an ant and liking it!! That is Dianne by a termite mound they are huge!! We ran over a porcupine and needed a new tire...notice the bug net that we had to wear because the flies are crazy in the outback. You not only have to watch the roads for "roos"and other wildlife but there are the "road trains". They are huge trucks with 3 to 4 cabs on the back of them and when you see them coming you slow down and move over!!!!