Katherine

 

We continued another 100kms up the Stuart Hwy to arrive in Katherine for our 10.00am appointment with Katherine Caravan Repairs. We had managed to book in to get the connection for the gas hot water fixed. We left the BT with Christoff and upon his recommendation went to the local café in the industrial area to get a good coffee and some toasted banana bread (both yum – so nice to have a well made Campos coffee after a lot of luke-warm dodgy lattes on the road thus far).

We then headed to Katherine Hot Springs for a dip in the thermal pools while waiting for the van. We received a call just after midday informing us that they had replaced the circuit board and all was working again. They had one remaining in stock – so we were indeed feeling very grateful. After stocking up with meat from a wholesale butcher, also found in the industrial area of Katherine, we drove on to check in at the Big 4 Breeze, just a few km’s west of the town. The park was lovely with lots of green grass and a great quiet site. Again, the park was only about one-third occupied.

Day two in Katherine, after a few loads of washing, we headed back out onto the Stuart Hwy, north for Edith Falls. Wow – so much water compared to 20 years ago! The beach area where Hayden and Bree played was several metres underwater, as were the timber steps leading you into the swimming spot. After a rather nervous dip (being a little croc conscious due to all the recent flooding) we hiked the 1.6km along the Leliyn Track to get to the Upper Pool. The walk was steep and the sun hot, but we were rewarded with beautiful views and an awesome swim under a crashing waterfall. Just divine. We completed the Leliyn Loop track back to the car park and returned to Katherine for grocery shopping and a trip to BWS.

The Woolies car park was rather manic, as was the shopping centre. As it was Thursday, and after 2:00pm, the bottle shops were open and so the town was very busy. We were extremely grateful for the strong police presence, although we still felt very wary and quite anxious when leaving the store with our trolley. We literally packed the car with the goods, jumped in and locked the doors. There had been a bit of a blow between a few Aboriginals while we were shopping and the police were dealing with it as we exited the store. We were quite in awe of the two young policewomen (who looked about 22) and commented that we wouldn’t want their jobs for quids. It would certainly be challenging (and no doubt quite scary), so hats off to them and their bravery. Many caravans were parked down the road just to shop and then they were continuing on out of town rather than staying. The next day we heard that 15 businesses had been broken into that evening. It’s such a shame for the local community as tourism is obviously suffering significantly.

Day three we travelled out to Nitmiluk National Park for the iconic Katherine Gorge tour. We had booked the 3 Gorge tour which included a swim, but unfortunately this was cancelled due to staff shortages, so we had to settle for the 2 Gorge tour. We spent a lovely morning cruising through the gorges, learning about the local Jawoyn people, the geology of the area and the habits of both fresh and saltwater crocodiles. They had captured and removed a 4 metre salty from the first gorge only two months prior – hence the reason for no longer allowing canoe tours in the first gorge.

That evening we shared a drink and stories with our site neighbours, Norm and Ally from Warrnambool Victoria.

Tomorrow we are on the move again – heading west along the Victoria Hwy – a road not travelled before by either Andrew or myself – so exciting times ahead.

Nitmiluk National Park