Kaka – who? Kakadu

 

We’re currently in Mataranka along with half the population of Australia.

 

As promised we headed back to Kakadu and went up to Ubirr where we had planned to stay for 2 nights. The viscous mosquitos changed our minds. A heavy cloud cover came in in the afternoon bring humidity and mozzies with it. We had mosquito coils, citronella candles, thermacell – the whole shebang but that didn’t faze these mozzies. Generally I boast that they don’t bite me but these NT mozzies thought I was the best thing since hairspray in a can.

 

The next morning the sheet was covered in blood smears and dead insects. YUK.

 

We went to see the rock art – which is truly amazing. One of the few places where they have so-called x-ray art. The skeletons of the animals are visible. There’s even a Thylacine which were believed to have been wiped out around 4000 years ago by the dingoes.

 

Next up Cooinda campsite in North Kakadu with its excellent facilities. We did the sunrise cruise on the Yellow Waters billabong and river system. Lots of Jabiru, Sea Eagles, grumpy looking Nankeen Night Heron, thousands of Whistling Ducks, Egrets of every description, Darters, Jacana, White necked and pied Heron and more that I can’t remember. 

Cold beer after a swim on a hot hot day in Kakadu

 

 

Whistling ducks

Darter

Jacana 

 

It was pretty hot and the mozzies were doing our heads in, so we only stayed 2 nights, rather than the 3 we’d booked.

A lot of Kakadu was closed due to the recent heavy rain with many sites and waterfalls inaccessible. 

 

Did an overnighter at Bark Hut Roadhouse and campsite. What a great find, much nicer than Corroboree Park. Next night at Humpty Doo – an experience that doesn’t need to be repeated.

 

So now we are in Mataranka. I may be exaggerating but it seems like there is 1000 vehicles here of all shapes and sizes. We parked out in the Boonies, but were surrounded in no time, so moved a spot where we couldn’t be out manoeuvred. Very anti-social behaviour, but hey, we like our privacy.

 

The source of the spring

Swimming hole

The thermal springs themselves are simply stunning but of course very crowded. We went down early this morning to beat the crowd and there was just a few old fogies like us there. The water is astonishingly clear and sits at about 34 degrees. What a great way to start your day. We followed up with a bacon and egg muffin.

 

We’ll hang around here for another day or 2 and the head to QLD. We have no real agenda now and plan to tackle the Savhanna Way depending the state of roads.