Edith Falls to Litchfield National Park

From Mataranka we went to Katherine for 3 days for rest and relaxation, stocking up etc .Had several tries at locating Gouldian Finches with absolutely no success.  Seems I am doomed to never find them although the experts tell me there are plenty of them around these days.  Next stop was spent at the magic spot of Edith Falls.  Birdwatching, walking, swimming and relaxing.  The Northern Territory National Parks do a great job with their camp areas.  The Leliyn Loop walk was especially scenic and the plunge pool under the falls is magnificent. About 150 metres in diameter with the falls roaring down through a cleft in the surrounding cliffs.  The rest of the pool is surrounded by tropical vegetation, pandanus and paperbarks etc. Most appealing.
Douglas Daly River area was next on the itinerary and it was also an exceptionally pleasant spot to spend a couple of days.  More swimming, but in their pool as, apparently, crocs are no longer culled so the swimming hole at the Arches is no longer recommended (unless one is a real risk taker). The Arches is an area of the Douglas Daly river that pours through a narrow sleft in the rocks and empities into a lovely pool.  We spent several sessions there birdwatching.with not a croc in sight.  The  35 km drive down to Oolloo Crossing on the Daly river passes through an interesting agricultural area where  there are large melon farms, huger sandalwood plantations and also a plantation of turpentine trees.  The Daly river was clear and fast and deep and it seemed to us that it would be a foolish thing to take the Toyota across the causeway.
Next stop Litchfield National Park.  The first afternoon we visited the magnetic termite mounds and were disappointed to discover that there is now a boardwalk that keeps the public well back.  At Florence Falls we just viewed them  from the Lookout as it was far too hot to climb down 135 steps. However, Buley Rock Holes provided an excellent refreshing swimming stop.
The next day we bumped into the Lost City which was well worth the trip early in the morning, then walked down to the Lookout over the very high Tolmer Falls, before ending up at Wangi Falls in time for lunch.  Bought a nice fresh egg and lettuce wholemeal sandwich to share and an absolutely delicious large slice of home made apple shortcake and cream. Spent the afternoon swimming in the plunge pool.  Cool fresh clean water at a perfect neck high depth almost the whole way across the pool to the waterfalls.  A very pretty spot very similar to Edith Falls.
Yesterday morning , the 8th July, we moved the van to a spot in the van park where the proprietors were happy for us to leave it while we flew to Sydney for 6 days to spend time with the families, in particular for Angela's 50th birthday celebrations.  Only an hour and a half to Darwin.  Lunched in the city centre and had a stroll and drive around before heading to the airport.  Darwin is a most attractive city, good public buildings and plenty of tropical vegetation.  Took off at 3.30 pm and landed in Brisbane about 8.00 pm.  Had time to grab some chicken casserole and rice, which was rather tasty, fortunately, as the minimal food offered on the plane was disgusting and we were starving

Edith Falls

Views of the Leliyn Loop Walk

Turkey Bush in flower everywhere

.  Arrived in Sydney at 10.30 pm after being given only a snack of a tiny piece of cheese and 4 tiny dry bits of cardboardlike biscuits to eat.  The worst plane food we have ever encountered.  Bed, at last, about 11.30 pm.

Photos Bitter Springs Mataranka

The most divine place to swim

Drift all the way down creek just letting the current take you.

Warm crystal clear spring water

Photos Longreach Waterhole

Sunset at the waterhole

A great egret waiting for dinner

Sunsets are brilliant here

Pelicans fishing at dusk

A darter drying his wings Huge numbers of darters present

Campers along the shore line

Coober Pedy to Katherine 2015 Van Trip 29.6.15

We have traveled steadily towards Katherine and arrived here at lunch time today the 29th June. The Stuart Highway is a very long very straight road that seems to go forever with not a huge varietyy of different scenery.  We spent a couple of nights in Alice Springs so that the Toyota could have an oil change, I could catch up on the washing and the shopping etc.  Then had another break of a couple of nights at Longreach Waterhole outside Elliott (on the Stuart Hwy).  The waterhole is down a 12km sandy track and is some kilometres long.  A very tranquil peaceful place with an excellent variety of birdlife.  Our first venture off the bitumen and the new van behaved admirably.  No dust.  There was not the huge number of birds present this  year but that was more than made for by the increased number of species.  I logged 43 species without trying too hard and I am sure there would be many more to find.  Even a Jabiru came by.  A real highlight of the trip so far.  We came here from Mataranka where we had another highlight.  Floating down the creek at Bitter Springs is a wonderful sensation.  Crystal clear deep water, luxuriously warm, overhung with tropical plants, and birds chirping away in the foliage.  Everyone should do it.

The Devil's Marbles (Karlu Karlu) about 90 kms south of Tennant Creek

Coober Pedy Photos 21.6.15

The Catacomb Underground Church

Abandoned wrecked machinery

Mullock heaps from diggings. We were told there are now 2 million holes in Coober Pedy.  The extent of diggings is greatly enlarged since we last visited.

Tunneling machine in Opal Mine Undergground

Mullock heaps everywhere

Caravan trip 2015 Coober Pedy 21.6.15

From Mannum we drove to Port Augusta which was a long day but as the weather wasn't particularly kind it was a reasonable thing to do. More pleasant rural scenery.  As we were tired the next day decided to spend it relaxing in Port Augusta. Tried out the washing machine which seems to do a good job and Bill fixed the water pump to the drinking water tap which had developed an air lock.  Did some shopping and later in the afternoon part of one of my molars fell off.  The very helpful staff at the Caravan Park organised for me to see a dentist the next morning.  The dentist turned out to be a  young chinese girl who was extremely gentle and, hopefully, very deft.  Got away at 11.30 am and set off up the Stuart Highway.  The Stuart was also looking quite lush for that part of the world after recent rains.  Stopped at Pimba for lunch and Bon Bon Rest Area for a night's free camp. A cold night but not too many trucks roaring past.  Into Coober Pedy by 11 am the next morning.  After setting up at the Big 4 we did a quick orientation drive around town.  Since we last visited in 2001 things have changed quite a bit.  A lot of modern homes have sprung up and the main street has kerbing etc.  All looks quite tidied up although there are still many many old wrecked trucks, cars, buses, tractors lying around. After lunch we drive out to the Breakaways which were looking very colourful.  Continued on the loop round past The Castle, the Dog Fence and out to the William Creek Road.  Lots of excellent scenery and a nice relaxing pace. A nice afternoon.
Today we spent exploring the township, visiting an Opal mine, opal shops, underground churches etc.

The Breakaways

16.6.2015 Van trip beginning

Before we could leave on Monday 15th June the van had to go back to Evernew to have two drawers fitted that had been omitted.  However, we were away by 1.45 pm and left in fine weather.  But about half way to our first night's destination the weather cracked up and we drove into ever increasing rain.  So far we are very pleased with the way the van is towing and the standard of finish of the cabinetry.  All appliances seem to working well and it is proving to be very convenient to work in.
Originally we had intended to camp at Green Hill Lake outside Ararat but the rain had turned the lake surrounds into a quagmire so we continued on to Stawell where we booked into the Grampians Gate Caravan park and spent the night parked on bitumen and didn't have to unhook which was a blessing with the rain pouring down..
This morning most of the rain had cleared except for a fine mist and fog.  Our new bed is rather comfortable and we had a good night's sleep. Today is our 53rd wedding anniversary.  Got away at 9 am under very low heavy cloud and fog but shortly after morning tea, just past Dimboola, the cloud lifted a little and the road dried up and driving conditions became quite good.  We passed through the Wimmera with the land looking as if covered with green fur.  This year's wheat crop is busy germinating and it looks like a good strike. The rain has come at a good time.  Then discovered that I needed to dump the fruit and veg as I had wrongly assumed that as we weren't entering a fruit fly area I could bring fruit and veg into South Australia. Did the right thing and dumped it.  Annoying but, thankfully, I didn't have a great deal on board.  Lunch at Bordertown in a local bakery which was rather a quaint establishment.  The chicken and veg soup was substantial and tasty and we were entertained by examining the huge number of curios decorating the walls and ceiling. Restocked here at the local Foodland.  Decided to travel as far as Mannum and arrived here about 4.30 pm.  Booked into a caravan park right on the banks of the River Murray.  Excellent amenities and lots of birds about. Black tailed native hens, purple swamp hens, dusky moor hens, large numbers galahs, black and wood ducks, pelicans, darters, noisy miners, etc.