After 3 days or R & R in Katherine we were on the road again for a 290km drive to Timber Creek. Weather - the same. Not a cloud in the sky, no wind and a 26Deg start. The drive started out with much the same vegetation as we had being seeing then quite suddenly it all changed with much taller trees, escarpments of beautiful colour and textures that heralded our entrance into the Victoria National Park. We stopped at the Victoria River Roadhouse for a morning coffee and the surroundings were quite lovely with a number of campsites right on the Victoria River. A very large river that would without doubt be croc infested. We arrived in Timber Creek for our overnight stay and secured a good site under a canopy of very lovely trees. In the park itself is a huge Boab Tree, probably the first of many we are about to see. Across the creek is a narrow bridge so we were able to get up close to a few freshwater crocs as they surfaced for a regular feeding by park staff at 5 o'clock. We also watched a large number of whistling kites swooping to feed on chunks of meat thrown into the air. Their speed and co-ordination at diving silently and picking the morsels mid-air was quite a spectacle.
A restful afternoon enjoying the surroundings before our usual Happy Hour with Rod and Jude, Heather and Don. We were just about to have dinner as nightfall came when there was a large explosion of fireworks in the park. Today is Northern Territory Day and would be celebrated far and wide in the Territory. Interestingly, everywhere we have been in recent days there have been huge signs advertising the sale of fireworks and plenty of television advertising. The fireworks were only permitted to be purchased today (Wed. 1st July) and could only be set off today.
The fireworks disturbed a very large colony of fruit bats that scattered off into the countryside making a terrible noise.
No television here so off to the cot early. Tomorrow we head for Kununurra and we are expecting our stay there for 5 days to be full of adventure. So much to see and do.
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| The colours and rock formations reminded us of the flinders Ranges. |
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| Not the Victoria River we know near Omeo. This one is huge and full of crocks. |
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| Our first Boab Tree. Hope the Village one doesn't grow this big. |
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| A freshwater croc about 6ft in length appeared out of the mangroves. |
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| A freshi attacking a chunk of meat - glad it wasn't our arm. |
Just had a marathon read along to catch up with your travels. I am reminded of my trip to Kakadu with crocs and very very cold water were we could swim.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying your adventure, thank you for sharing. Take care and remember where you are the food chain !