THE TOP END

After spending two days at Bitter Springs, mostly spent floating down the spring fed thermal waters of the stream, as well as completing  a long walk along the Roper River to the Mataranka Falls (no swimming due to crocs!) we headed towards one of, if not our favourite spot in the Territory, Edith (Leliyn) Falls.

Originally we were going to stay two nights, but so good was the campsite and the swimming holes we extended to three nights.

Again, most of our time was spent in the water, with frequent walks to the Top Pool with its beautiful cascading waterfall and plunge pools to swim in. We also hiked into Sweetwater with its tranquil setting and nature provided spa pool! Amazing!

Barra and Buffalo burgers were a perfect way to cap the day!

KAKADU

In 2015, we promised ourselves that we would revisit Kakadu and stay longer to do it justice.

We used Cooinda as our first base for two nights, and spent a day visiting….and swimming in two spectacular waterfalls and plunge pools, Gunlom and Maguk.

We walked to the top of the Gunlom waterfall and found ourselves taking a relaxing dip in a crystal clear natural pool high above a sweeping vista of Kakadu National Park! Breathtaking!

We then drove to Maguk Gorge, walked through a lush monsoon forest full of pandanus palms and arrived at a cascading waterfall and large plunge pool. Another swimming opportunity too good to miss.

After such an adventurous day, we celebrated at Cooinda Lodge with our meal highlight of 2015….Barramundi Curry, made using bush tucker. Divine….and so too was the lemon myrtle tart as dessert!

Today we have taken the relatively short drive to Jabiru to spend the next two nights. Gracie has spent most of the day making friends with another girl and spending a lot of time swimming together in the camping ground’s resort style pool.

Baked beans for tea tonight!  Then back in the pool for a swim under a moonlit sky!

And who should Robyn bump into (not literally) in the spa but (singing) Dave and Lyn from Mitta days.  So good to see them!  Dave and I sang Leaving On A Jetplane for old time’s sake!