Day 34: Katherine

Today was definitely another highlight. After our first night of a double digit temperature, we woke enthusiastic about enjoying a summers day in winter.

We made our way to Nitmiluk national park with a couple of options in mind about what to do. By 9.30am it was already 22 degrees and after travelling for the last month in predominately cool temperatures I think we felt the heat a little more than we normally would.

We decided to do a 4 hour 3 gorge cruise and we are extremely satisfied with our decision.

Our tour guide belongs to the Jawoyn tribe who are the owners of the land. To say he was a character would be an understatement, but he is also very passionate about both his heritage and the land they now protect.

The Jawoyn people are the tour operators and a great deal of them work for the business. There is no fee to enter the national park like there is at Uluru-Kata Tjuta national park, so the Jawoyn people make their money from operating the tours, and the tours are really well done.

We thoroughly enjoyed the day, Katherine gorge is simply breath taking. Our guide did his best to sell us all on coming back again to see the gorge just after the wet season finishes in order to see all the waterfalls flowing. Darren and I both agree that it is on the bucket list, but probably when we become gray nomads.

During the dry season, the gorge is separated into 13 different sections as the water reduces too low and rocks are exposed making it impossible for water craft to pass. Even the canoes have to be taken out of the water and carried into the next section. We also had to disembark, walk a little way to embark onto a new vessel. We visited 3 gorges so had to change boats 3 times.

On the return leg of the trip we got to stop for a little swim. This was very exciting as it's the first swim of the trip. Well for Darren, Brandon and I it was, Micaela and Ethan braved the water in the pool at Kings Canyon. The water was still really cold, didn't quite take your breath away, but almost.

At the completion of the cruise we changed out of our swimmers and treated ourselves to an ice-cream before reading all about the land and it's people, in the museum display within the Nitmiluk information centre.

No visit is complete without a visit to the gift store, Micaela and Ethan chose a t-shirt each whilst Brandon opted for a crocodile toy.

That was our day and we are exhausted from it. We love Katherine gorge and vow to return again one day. Darren and I have been saying for years that our retirement plan is to travel this great country of ours, this trip has just confirmed our commitment to it. We are looking forward to being able to go without an itinerary, having no set date to be home by, leaving us the freedom of staying at the places we like for longer periods.

Despite how much we love this area, we have decided to stick to our original plan and continue onto Kakadu tomorrow.