Sunday, 22 July 2012

Litchfield National Park

Getting very used to this beautiful weather.  Still haven't had a drop of rain (touch wood) and today was 32 degrees again.  We must be becoming acclimatised to the heat as Mel was still wearing her jacket when it was 24 degrees at 10am this morning, but I have shelved the winter clothes and in shorts and singlets from here on in.

We moved on from Mataranka (with a tear in the eye) and stopped in Katherine to top up food and fuel at semi reasonable prices.  We then completed the 350kms (in total) up to Batchelor and Bayan Tree Caravan Park which was at the entrance to Litchfield National Park.  We dropped off the van, grabbed some lunch and then headed straight into the Park.  We went in at a good time (around 3pm) as we watched all the tour buses going in the opposite direction on the road.  We visited Florence Falls where the kids (and Mel) were disappointed by the water temperature (we are now comparing all swimming holes to Mataranka - not fair I know).  Will wouldn't go in and wanted to go back to the "warm springs", but Charlotte, Mel and I (at different times) braved the colder water (which was fine....once you were in) and had a lovely swim. 

We got back to the caravan park quite late so we were thankful to have a premade pasty (courtesy of Ma Ma) to share, and then we made our way to happy hour and free sausage sizzle in the beer garden under the big Banyan tree.....the supposed reason why we chose this park....I chose it because it was close to Litchfield and it was cheap!!  Had to hurry back to the caravan where I had tuned in a fuzzy picture of Geelong thrashing the Bombers...which made my day complete.

The next day we had a good look at Litchfield, starting with a close look at the Magnetic Termite Mounds - which the kids are fasinated by.  We then took a picnic down to Wangi Falls which was breathtaking.  Charlotte and I were the only two to brave the conditions today.  Will and I went for a walk around the top of the falls and encountered some bats and a pig!!  CJW and Mel also encountered the bats and got some good photos.  Wangi Falls was one of my favourite spots but then it got overrun by tour groups and we decided to move on.  We had a quick look at Bouley Hole but we decided we had had enough of sharing the waterholes with people and we came back to the park for some nibbles and a cleansing ale (or two....).

 




Off to Darwin tomorrow where we will catch up with the McCallums and Elliott's for Charlotte's Birthday.  Only two sleeps Dad (I know Charlotte....)

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