Darwin to Alice Springs

We left Darwin on Sun 15^th July and drove to Edith Falls.  We set up camp in the campgrounds and headed to the bottom pool for a swim. The bottom pool is huge and it was a long swim over to the waterfall but we all made it, and were thankful that we didn’t see any of the Freshwater Crocs along the way.  We then decided we would do the 2km return walk to the top pools and we enjoyed another swim there as well.

Swimming in the bottom pool at Edith Falls

The top pools at Edith Falls

The next morning, Mon 16^th July, was the first day of school for Term 3, we did just a little work to ease ourselves back into it, then we packed up and drove to Katherine.  We set up the van and headed out to Katherine Gorge for a look and a walk.

Katherine Gorge

Looking down on Katherine Gorge

On the way back to the van we stopped at Woolworths and did a big shop for the week.  That afternoon we walked down to the Katherine Hot springs and had a nice swim in the warm water.  Josh, Natalie and Mike went on the rope swing and we ended up spending a good hour and a half there.  Sam was a bit little for the rope swing, but loved jumping off the ladder into the water.

Katherine Hot Springs

Josh enjoying the rope swing at Katherine Hot springs

Sam and the ladder he jumped off at least 100 times

Natalie having a turn on the Rope swing

Tuesday morning we left Katherine and drove to Mataranka.  We first stopped at Bitter springs and enjoyed a swim in the 34 degree water. 

Bitter springs was our favourite hot springs of them all

Liz and the kids enjoying Bitter Springs

After lunch we drove to the Mataranka hot springs and had a swim there as well.  We preferred Bitter springs over Mataranka springs because Bitter springs was so crystal clear and much more ‘natural’ than the very commercial and busy Mataranka springs.

Mataranka Hot springs

Liz and the kids at the source of the Mataranka Springs

We then continued driving to Daly Waters and camped at the Daly Waters Pub and caravan park which was absolutely packed with caravans.  We had a walk through the pub looking at everything on the walls and hanging from the ceilings, we enjoyed a cool drink outside before heading back to the van for dinner.

The Daly Waters Pub Reception

Having a quiet drink at the Daly Waters Pub

The next morning we had a lazy start and then did some school before packing up and leaving at about 11am (one of our latest set-offs yet!). We drove to Banka Banka station, and booked into their caravan park.  We walked to the lookout behind the camping area and the kids had a good run around while we cooked dinner and then ate it at the camp kitchen.

At the top of the lookout at Banka Banka Station

Thur 19^th July.  Again we had a late start, did school and then packed up to move on (leaving around 11am again). We drove into Tennant Creek where we bought a bit more food and fuel and had lunch before continuing on to the Devil’s Marbles. The campsite there was very busy, we set up and then headed into the Marbles to have a look.  We spent about two hours exploring and having fun climbing all over the rocks.  After being in summer weather for the past 9 months, this was our first experience of some quite cold weather (it was still very sunny and we had blue sky, but it was freezing and we really felt it).

Some of the amazing outcrops at the Devils Marbles National Park

Devils Marbles

Sam, Josh and Natalie standing amongst some of the Rocks

The next morning was cold and windy but still sunny. While we were eating breakfast Josh spotted a Dingo wandering through the camp ground.  This was our first sighting of a wild Dingo on our trip, we have heard them howling at various places but never saw them.

The first wild dingo we have seen on our trip

Again we did our school work then packed up and drove on.  We drove toward Alice springs and stopped at Ti Tree to have lunch in the park. As we drove along, a message popped into our phone (during a brief section where there was Telstra reception)…  Liz’s sister Kath and family (the Taylor’s ) had left a message to say they had to head into Alice Springs that weekend and they were wondering where we were!  It couldn’t have been better timing.  So we continued heading toward Alice Springs where we’d be meeting up with the Taylors that weekend.