Wot we did!

A retrospective itinerary...

Tuesday 24th July

Drove from Alice Springs to Banka Banka. Pete walk-jogs the nature trail (4k)

Wednesday 25th July

Birded Banka Banka nature walk early AM. Drove from Banka Banka to Mataranka. Stopped at Newcaste Waters and Daly Waters highway service centre. Swam at Mataranka thermal springs

Thursday 26th July

Stayed at Mataranka. Visited and swam at Bitter Springs. Visited Roper River and swam at pontoon.

Friday 27th July

Drove from Mataranka to Katherine and Nitmiluk NP. Shopped at Katherine

Saturday 28th July

Visited Top Didj cultural experience, shopped at Katherine and swam at Katherine River thermal springs where we had lunch. Shopped at Katherine. Booked river cruise for following day

Sunday 29th July

Cruised Katherine Gorge (the three gorge tour) and swam in second gorge with tour group. Swam at camping area. Walked to the lookout (Pete, Hannah, Tom, Zoe)

Monday 30th July

Drove from Katherine to Policeman's Point, Timber Creek. Stopped at Victoria Crossing but no sign of purple-crowned fairy-wren (high noon). Bush camp at Policeman's Point. Impressive landscapes along Victoria Hwy through Gregory National  Park etc. Ben fishes the Victoria River. We spot a freshwater crocodile.

Tuesday 31st July

In AM Ben fishes and Pete birds until pack-up and drive to Kununurra. Book in to Kimbereyland and stay unpowered on bank of Lily pad lagoon.

Wednesday 1st August

In afternoon PKTHE visit Parry's lagoon. Cool burns happening in the bush surrounding with smoke affecting road travel. Sunset from the Telegraph Station hill at Parry's Lagoon.

Thursday 2nd August

Ben joins a fishing cruise on the lower Ord. Others visit Ohia fruit and veg, that mango cafe, Kelly's Nob. Canoes are hired for an hour in the afternoon, then a swim, then PKTHE visit Mirima National Park. Pete walks back to camping ground in dark. We see a freshwater crocodile at the lake's edge in the dark

Friday 3rd August

Pack-up and shopping at Kununurra (including pick-up of the Low-boy water pump part posed from Sydney) Drive from Kununurra to El Questro station. A few mechanical issues with a tyre valve and a gas cylinder at the junction of Gibb River Rd with Great Northen Hwy. We book in to one of the private camping areas available (long-drop toilet, no showers).

Saturday 4th August

We swim in shallow section of the Pentecost near main camping area. PKTHE & Brielle drove to Branco's Lookout

Sunday 5th August

Ben and Pete boat hire on the Chamberlain River and gorge for 2 hours. We meet others at Zebedee Springs and swim. Then move to El Questro gorge with a river crossing. Enjoyed the gorge and swim at the half way turnaround.

Sunday 6th August

Drive from El Questro to Home Valley Station. PKTHE relaising there are issues under the van after the Pentrecost River crossing (water pipe plug knocked off, Anderson plug). Ben later discovers that a clip on the shock absrobers has come adrift.

Monday 7th August

Pete birds in AM. Van is looked at by Home Valley mechanics. Ben fishes the Pentecost at the Gibb crossing

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