Katherine Gorge (mostly)

We've been trying to keep to low-budget activities as much as possible, but something Philip has wanted to do since he was a boy is to take a boat tour through Katherine Gorge. He has memories of family friends coming back with slides of their trip, which made a big impression. So this morning we were up before dawn and drove to Nitmiluk national park to go on a "breakfast cruise". (Nitmiluk means "Cicada Place" in Jawoyn, the local aboriginal language)
There are lots of animals on the road just before dawn! On the way we lost count of the number of wallabies we saw- and narrowly missed when they decided to cross the road in front of us.  We also saw two water buffalos and a dingo. At the gorge we watched the red  flying foxes just coming home from their night's foraging while we waited for the boat.

We had the best table on the boat, right at the front.  It was rather special watching the beautiful scenery of the first gorge while eating a delicious cooked breakfast!

Not flattering- but it gives an impression of the setting.

After about twenty minutes we came to some rapids where we got out and walked a few hundred metres to a second boat, stopping to look at some old aboriginal rock paintings on the way.

Arthur asked me to take a photo of this beacuse it looked like a "sculpture made by nature". The early morning shadows made some of the photos hard to take.

The second gorge was even more spectacular than the first, and the captain gave a very interesting commentary as we went with information about how the gorge was formed, vegetation and birds we saw along the way and the aboriginal stories behind it all. 

The "Hanging Gardens".  These plants are completely underwater during the Wet season, yet manage to hang on and thrive!

Sharing a joke at mum's expense!

We saw several spots along the banks where freshwater crocodiles had recently laid eggs.  They lay about 12 eggs in a batch, but only about 2% of hatchlings make it to adulthood. We were assured that "freshies" won't hurt you- unless you're bitten by one.  The captain also explained that it is only in the wet season, when the water in the gorge rises by about twenty metres, that the "salties" are able to come this far.  They are then trapped and returned to where they came from. 

Although we looked out for a glimpse of a crocodile, we saw only their tracks in the sand ... Then, just as we arrived back at the jetty, we finally spotted one resting on a log. 

Just before we got in the car to drive back, we spotted this bottle tree.  The children were interested to hear how it stores water so that it can survive the dry season, but I think Esther imagines it to be hollow and full of water.

All that talk of crocodiles didn't stop the children going down to the river when we got back- but I did look twice at every log while they swam!
Arthur and I went to feed the horses again this afternoon.  After being bitten yesterday I thought he might not want to but he didn't mind a bit!

Arthur:"You don't eat little boys, do you Solly?"  Solly: "Bleagh! No Way! One bite of you was enough!"