Mt Isa to Darwin

It's been a while since our last entry on the site. We have been up to a lot of interesting things. From leaving Mt Isa along the road to Darwin has been a most adventurous part of the trip. From Cammoweal where we had our last beer in QLD and crossing over to the NT, there were long strtetches of driving and overnight stops at various roadhouses which catered for caravans. A few to name include Barkley Homestead, Renner Springs, Mataranka and finally to Darwin.

Mataranka was certainly a highlight with the Bitter Springs crystal clear water at a constant 32 degrees proved great for snorkelling and relaxing. At Mataranka thermal pools, we enjoyed swimming and playing with Aboriginal kids who were from Arnhem Land visiting family here. The little ones some as young as three were trying to swim and hanging off us.

At the caravan park up the road, Luke caught a Barramundi with his hands by feeding it a pilchard. The park is renowned for hand feeding the Barra and with a little practice, Luke was successful. Me on the other hand, could not overcome the speed at which the fish would take the bait.

Getting to Darwin was just as we expected. Bloody hot and humid. Picked up Graham and Lorraine (Luke's folks) from the airport and enjoyed 5 days with them. We visited Litchfield NP where we swam in various waterholes and waterfall areas. Went fishing in the Darwin harbour where Graham caught a blue bone fish, one of the hardest fish to not only hook, but to land is a great feat. Up there with the best eating fish around and we enjoyed every bit that night.
Lorraine and Luke caught a shark each.

Saw some great sunsets of an evening and enjoyed some nice dinners in the balmy nights. We also enjoyed a trip out to the Adselaide River where we experienced seeing crocodiles in the wild on a boat. The crocs would jump out of the water to retrieve the meat that the tour operators would hang out on a string.
Going to the movies that night was quite ironic as we saw the movie Rogue, which features a man eating jumping crocodile set in the NT. Definatley an added motivator to be wary when swimming anywhere in the top end.

Going on a sunset cruise tonight and a spot of fishing at fishermans wharf to round off what has been a great stay in Darwin. We will head off tomorrow to the Kakadu NP.

Will post the next blog a little sooner.

Stay well, Loz n Luke

P.S. Kaz, no more turtles but does Toni's reptile licence allow for her to have a croc?