My travels through the Northern Territory.

I crossed the State Border from NT to Queensland on August 8. My Queensland travels will be in the next update. I am sorry for the long gap in my travel report, i was surprised myself when i saw my last entry date; my excuses are ------ I need a 3G signal to access mobile wireless so I can update my Blog. So when I did get a rare signal I was often too weary or too interested in what I was experiencing to think about updating my Blog. Sorry but I still still think of you all. Now to continue.

From Yulara at Ayres Rock I travelled about 300K back to Eridunda which consists only of the "Desert Oats Roadhouse" there I rejoined the Stuart Highway to make my way up through the centre of Australia towards Darwin.

Alice Springs was my first stop, a surprise awaited me, the town was different than I imagined, I stayed 5 days. Highlights included, beautiful weather, a bustling town, modern shopping centre, street cafes, huge cultural displays and aboriginal art for sale, (beautiful but expensive). Alice Springs is surrounded by the remarkable McDonald Ranges with beautiful gorges, active and dry rivers lined with River Gums and nature walks. A visit for a full day to the "Desert Experience Park" it lived up to it's name. I also witnessed the range of life style situations of the resident Aboriginal people,some camping in the local Parks. Experienced alcohol purchasing restrictions including my ID checked (I am still sober). Traveling on...... 508K

Tennant Creek, I was surprised how many shops were in the long main street, not all of them functioning. There is obviously a large population of Aboriginals. I heard that the population is 3000 with 25 policemen. I attended a bush tucker camp fire and even tasted a witchety grub. The Ghan Train stops if requested, 12K out of town with no regular transport into town. I visited Battery Hill an old gold mine which now houses the town information centre, a very well done and comprehensive museum and history of the area. Tennant Creek was one of the original Telegraph Stations, gold was discovered and the Town was a storage and troop stop over during the war. Also at TC is the best and most comprehensive mineral and gem display. The display was commenced due to a local private collection and then further developed with the aide of museums around Australia. Traveling on ....... 570K

Mataranka a lively little town, two service stations, pub, one super market etc. This area is the source of the Australian classic novel "We of the Never Never" written about true events in early Australia. They really highlight this claim to fame. The town was also used during World War 11 as supply depot and camps for troops on their way to and from Darwin. The town is popular for thermal spring water pools that are great for swimming. There are 3 caravan parks and as well as a bush camping area in nearby Elsey National Park. Tourists flock here to experience the warm pools. I stayed for 5 days near the Bitter Springs thermal pool which is in a natural setting in a rain forest. A dream for an early morning dip with the birds for company. Traveling on ..... 106K

Katherine: I stopped for food, very busy as the local Show was on, 3 hours in Woolworths??? I will visit the famous Katherine Gorge on the way back as i retrace my steps towards Queensland. Traveling on.........254K

Kakadu National Park: spent a week seeing the highlights of this famous place. One gets mixed reports about it especially from the locals, but for me it was a very worthwhile visit but a lot of traveling between special places. 20,000 square Kilometers of Park full of diversity from rivers, wetlands, teaming birdlife, crocodiles, packs of wild brumbies, wild pigs, wild water lilies, gorges, dry red earth, bushland, rock art, waterfalls cultural centers. All too challenging to describe an awesome experience of nature, the Cultural Centers are well done and very educative. All very much set up for the tourist.

Mary River: is situated just outside Kakadu N Park and the turn off to the Stuart Highway leading to Darwin. I stayed at the Corroboree Caravan Park for a week. I took boat trip up the River, visited the Wetlands Window and Fog Dam; so many water birds, crocodiles and amazing wild water lilies. I left the Van here and travelled into Darwin to have a look around and enjoyed the hospitality of Marg and Jeff Barker for a night. I did a tour of the city and the beautiful harbour, took the Darwin heritage walk and a visit to the history of the city Museum, viewed the devastation from bombing during the war and of course cyclone Tracy. Darwin has many beautiful assets.

Traveling on 1,412K after Darwin through Litchfield National Park then Adelaide River, through to Katherine and Daly Waters to meet the Barkly Highway which would take me on to Queensland;

Litchfield National Park was a highlight particularly Wangi Falls and the swimming hole, with patches of bush and rain forest side by side, I found the weather very hot so did not stay as long as I had planned. At Katherine enjoyed a magnificent three hour sunset cruse down the Gorge which included dinner. The bats flying at sunset and the star filled sky all added to the experience.

This is just a taste of some of my travel experiences, the lifestyle is enriching on many levels. The people you meet along the way, the overnight sleeping stops become a great meeting place, sharing an evening drink and travel stories often around a campfire. The opening up for me of our history and the development of the different Australian regions. Being exposed to the native plants and particularly the variety of birds. I am in awe of the many water birds I have looked at them for hours with my binoculars. I do spend hours and days of quiet but I am at peace and am grateful for them.

Take care.

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