What an adventure. I
wouldn't be in a hurry to go back but we are really glad we went
there. The 46 klms of dirt road to get there was a bit daunting,
particularly since we haven't had this van on a corrugated dirt road
of any significance before but it handled it perfectly. That meant
that the trip out could be a lot faster than the trip in.
We had the place to
ourselves. The campground didn't look like it was often frequented
but the amenities were in excellent order.
We got there late
yesterday so didn't go exploring until this morning. What we did note
as soon as we got there though was the sound of rushing water coming
from the direction of the river. The area generally is arid and
unwelcoming but once you approach the river, it's a whole different
world. The Flora River is feed by springs and runs into the Katherine
River which in turn runs into the Daly River. The springs must be
impressive because the water running over the two sets of falls one
can get access to is certainly impressive and, once again, there is
all this beautiful inviting water that you can't swim in because of
crocodiles (although we didn't see any).
When we arrived, we
wondered why the mat we keep inside the door was soaking wet. I had
thrown a couple of buckets of water over the van to get the worst of
the dust off and suspected that perhaps some of that water had got
in. We quickly realized when we took some photos at the water
crossing on the way out that the lowest point of the van is the step
and it was, of course, below water level as we went through the
water.
A notable feature was the
“boat ramp”, unlike any I have ever seen before. It is a set of
bars you can slide a small tinnie down with a winch to wind it back
up again. Apparently the five kilometres of navigable river is quite
a popular barramundi fishing spot.
Having seen everything
that there was to see, we packed up at lunchtime and are now
comfortably settled at the National Park Campground at Katherine
Gorge.
Tomorrow (or perhaps the
day after), we will start the long trek back. Our present plan is to
go across to Townsville, then to Eungella, then to Canarvon and
finally to Lady Elliot. By then, it might be time to go home.
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