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
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