From Threeways, NT to Julia Creek, Qld

We have free camped since our last stay in Threeways, visiting little towns or places of interest along the way.  Coomaweal was a lovely spot to camp.  The council have put aside a huge area along the river where people can stay for up to 96 hours.  We stayed two nights and enjoyed the company - horses and lots of birds. It was on a river which was rapidly drying up.  You could see how far the water levels had been.  

We spent a day and a half in Mt Isa - collected our camera screen from the Post Office, shopped for supplies and swam for a few hours at the local pool as well as some of the local attractions.

Then on to Julia Creek to another council run free camp.  The budgies have been in abundance as well as other birdlife but we've never seen so many budgies!

Julia Creek was host to "The Stockman's Challenge" over this long weekend.  We spent most of Saturday there and it was excellent free entertainment.  It was definitely a case of "Spot the Tourist" Everyone, including little kids were dressed in jeans held up with belts and massive buckles, bright long sleeved collared shirts, Akubra and boots (some with spurs)  Peter and I wore shorts and T-Shirts!

Last night we had a visit from the police!  We were inside watching a movie when they pulled up and got out with torches and were looking at our car.  We went out to meet them and they said they were looking for a Holden Bronco - which is not us but one had driven through the camp site towing a trailer.  Always something exciting going on!!

Tomorrow we will head south to Winton and get our dinosaur on.

....on the road again

coffee break at Barkly Homestead

Crossing the NT/Qld Border

Our home for two nights at Coomaweal Qld

at sunrise we woke to horses!

They didn't seem to mind us

lots of horses

right in our camp spot

We went for a bike ride but not for long...it was too hot

the sun goes down on another beautiful day

the view from the Mt Isa lookout

The mine from the lookout

we've been to a few of these places

Our home for four nights at Julia Creek, Qld

lots of birdlife and a great free camp - with a tap for water!!!

A great day at the Stockman's Challenge (A woman won the event) 

We had a good view from the stand in the "Cut-Out Yard"

Budgies this morning 

Hundreds of them!

East to Mt Isa

We stayed in Darwin an extra day to wait for the fridge door which arrived on Wednesday but the screen was delayed so they will post it to us in Mt Isa (hopefully!), so we spent a wonderful day at the Leanyer Water Park and set off the following morning for Kakadu National Park.  While there, we saw crocodiles - many of them, in the rivers and on the banks.  They can be seen in big numbers around the boat ramps - you wouldn't see me launching a dingy there!  But it was very exciting to see them from the safety of the shore.  We did quite a gruelling walk to Maguk Falls - gruelling because it was so hot, but the swim was so worth the narrow path and rock climbing.  That night we camped in Kakadu and were nearly carried away by the flies!  Once the sun went down they disappeared and we could appreciate the outback starry sky.  We visited a few other places in Kakadu, including the Bakery at Jabiru - yum. The humidity is rising and starting to get uncomfortable so we decided to head further south the next day, left Kakadu and stayed at a free camp site before travelling back over ground we covered on the way North.
On Saturday we headed for Mataranka to watch the Grand Final and swim in the thermal pools again.  We got there in time for a swim and lunch before the match started and then settled into the outdoor bar which is fan cooled and very comfortable.  The locals were much more entertaining than the match and we had a very pleasant day, swimming during half time and after the match before hitting the road for a free camp down the road.  We stopped at various places that we hadn't stopped at on the way up so we saw different things and this morning pulled into Three Ways caravan Park to do the washing and get ready for our next leg.  The difference in humidity is huge since leaving Kakadu. It's still hot but not sticky and the nights are much more pleasant.
Sunday was a big driving day, we don't normally travel more than a couple of hours a day but we spent the time tackling the big questions, like - "would you rather be eaten by a shark or a crocodile", "would you rather be trapped in a tent with a snake or a spider" and making up elaborate stories as to why certain places like creeks and bridges are named what they have been named.  Plus we have come up with some great dance moves you can do sitting down!  Life's never boring :)

A Peacock showing off at our camp in Darwin

Leanyer Park was good fun

...and all for free.  Brendan has been here!

We have passed many bush-fires along the way and this one caused a tree to fall across in front of us

I couldn't wait to see a croc in the wild! 

This one's on the move!

Our bush camp in Kakadu 

Beautiful Maguk

Peter, will you please stand back! 

Watching the Grand Final with the locals at Mataranka

We decided against the Joy Ride!

Next stop....Kakadu

We have been in Darwin for 11 nights and have thoroughly enjoyed the sights including Berry Springs, Howard Springs, Charles Darwin National Park, the City, the Suburbs but the absolute highlight was our Sunset Dinner Cruise on Darwin Harbour.  Never have we seen such a spectacular sunset and being on the boat with the wonderful sea breeze and seeing Darwin from the water, not to mention the meal...WOW.
Tonight we watched the sunset from the beach and it was just as spectacular.
Not sure what's happening tomorrow, we have been waiting for a fridge door to arrive and also the reversing camera screen.  Both were due today but true to form...they didn't arrive!  As much as I love Darwin, we have been told that NT stands for Not Today, Not Tomorrow, Not Tuesdays and Not Thursdays...we may be staying longer

Our trusty sea vessel Cape Adieu

All Aboard! 

Leaving Stokes Hill Wharf 

Government House

The photos don't do it justice 

Awhhh

going...going.. 

nigh' night

me on the flying fox singing "I came in like a wrecking ball"

One of the many bunkers, used during WWII, scattered throughout Charles Darwin National Park 

The boat we were on last night 

Tonights Sunset from the beach

Darwin

We spent a lovely day in Litchfield National Park visiting Wangi Falls, Tolmer Falls, The Lost City -which was via a 4WD track, Buley Rock Holes, Florence Falls and the magnetic termite mounds.
The next morning we headed to Darwin and are staying at a place near Howard Springs.  The couple that own the place have room for eight self contained vans.  They supply power and water but you need your own shower and toilet as they don't have that facility.  They do have a Dam full of Barramundi and lots of other fish as well as a couple of fresh water crocs, and a tinny you can take out and try to catch fish - or just row around like we did.
The heart of the city is only about 15-20 minutes away so it's really convenient.  We have been all over the place and had our fill of retail therapy.  There's a great swimming beach which is protected from stingers and crocs and is surrounded by grass which makes it really pleasant.
I arranged to meet an old friend, Katherine, for lunch and we had a good catch up and will meet again before we move on.
Steve rang this morning and asked where we were.  He was just coming into Darwin and happened to be only five minutes from us so he stopped by for a chat!
We will be here until at least Tuesday because we are waiting for a new fridge door to come in - ours fell off!  Luckily Peter has fixed it temporarily so it's all ok.
Today, we packed a picnic lunch and went to Berry Springs Nature Park where we swam in the different rock pools and went for walks or lazed on the lawns.

Tolmer Falls, Litchfield NP 

The Lost City, Litchfield 

The Lost City, Litchfield 

Florence Falls, Litchfield 

Florence Falls at water level, Litchfield 

Termite Mound, Litchfield 

Rowing on the Dam 

Hidden Valley Racetrack, Darwin 

A great swimming spot in Darwin 

Peter having a dip at Wangi Falls 

I'm always amazed at the trees growing in rocks 

Darwin City from Fannie Bay 

The washing machine is great! 

A pool in the Berry Springs Nature Park, full of fish, the water is so clear you can see to the bottom 

Another pool at Berry Springs 

Nothin' to do but swim, laze and take selfies!