8 - Katherine to Kununurra

May 2016 - 14/5/16

We spent a further couple of days at a caravan park in Katherine to primarily be in phone range as it was our youngest son’s last couple of days in Australia before flying out for about 6 months on a European adventure. As he commented to us it was no different to our Australian travels where we disappear for periods of time. 

We did manage time in the swimming pool and restocked our provisions for the next stage of our travels west. 

Heading west from Katherine we had decided to spend a few days at Flora River Nature Park about 100 west of Katherine. We turned off the main highway and were greeted by warning signage describing the road as a rough, corrugated dirt road and to drive to conditions. So we stopped and lowered our tow tug and caravan tyre pressures which reduces the vehicles impact on the road surface and lessens the fatigue imposed on our vehicles, along with reduced speed.

Letting down the tyre pressures

Then about 500 metres further down the road we came across another sign displayed, showing the Nature Park as closed. Steve checked the closed signage to verify that the closed sign hadn’t fallen open and yes it all appeared correct as it had been padlocked in place. One U turn executed and we travelled 500 metres back along the road before stopping and re-inflating our tyres. An hour and a half exercise we could have done without. At least the notification wasn’t at the other end of the 46 kilometre dirt track.

A not so nice sign

All the Northern Territory Government documentation we have researched has promoted most of the state’s attractions are generally open from 1^st April with all open for the onset of the peak tourist season from 1^st May.

In contrary to this we have found the major attractions had been open but most the advertised draw cards were unavailable. This has been the same set of circumstances for many people we have met over the last few weeks with examples “they took our money to enter Kakadu but none of the roads to the attractions were open”.

Disappointedly we travelled for another hour or so west along the Victoria Highway and stopped for the night at Sullivan Creek camping area in the Judbarra Gregory National Park with about half a dozen other campers in a nice bush setting which was basically a road side stop.

We continued west and after travelling 19 kilometres we stopped to participate in the Escarpment Track walk located about 3 kilometres west of Victoria River Roadhouse. Luckily the temperature had dropped overnight providing some very welcomed relief from the constant heat of the last few weeks.

We spent two hours scampering along the sloped stony surface, spell bound by the views of the rugged cliff faces and the carved out valleys with the Victoria River flowing through the middle, a highlight of the Judbarra Gregory National Park. The temperature was still hovering around the 30 degrees with a light refreshing breeze making for pleasant conditions. The disappearance of the humid conditions was most welcome.

The flood plain of the Victoria River

Beginning of Escarpment Walk

Progressing along Escarpment Walk

Progressing along Escarpment Walk

Progressing along Escarpment Walk

Progressing along Escarpment Walk

Progressing along Escarpment Walk

Progressing along Escarpment Walk

Progressing along Escarpment Walk

He made it Escarpment Walk

We made it Escarpment Walk

Progressing back down Escarpment Walk

Progressing back down Escarpment Walk

About 10 kilometres further west was another similar walk at Joe Creek picnic area which also looked very inviting but viewing its information board showed it to be a class 4 track which would have stretched us as we were still partially worn out from the class 3 track of the Escarpment Track.

Scenery from base of Joe Creek Picnic area

Steve was happy to find a location to camp for the night but Mary “issued a protest”, as we had barely travelled 30 kilometres for the day. It was Steve’s turn to drive and Mary was most indignant that she had driven about 150 kilometres the previous day. 

We continued west stopping to view any sights that we came across and eventually set camp at Big Horse Creek campground about 10 kilometres west of Timber Creek. 

Big Horse Creek campground was very busy with other travellers camping for the night with the majority travelling to Western Australia. We chatted with another couple discussing one another’s travel plans and they requested if they could join us at our proposed next stop over at Keep River National Park.

Up close to Victoria River at Big Horse campground

What a gem Keep River N.P. turned out to be. The campground was nearly 20 kilometres along a dirt road from the highway and the road was in very good condition to the degree we had no need to lower our tyre pressures. We initially had the place to ourselves with the only other noise coming from the whistling of the birds, a couple of dingo’s howling in the background and the sound of trees moving in the light breeze. After a couple of hours the other couple arrived, (Lesley & Steve from Nambucca Heads NSW) and the four of us participated in a late afternoon walk from our Gurrandalng campground. We meandered along a track which weaved through sandstone rock formations with geological formations similar to the Bungle Bungles located which are located about 400 kilometres away in Western Australia. 

We were so mesmerised by the scenery and the changing colours of the rock faces during sunset that we took 2 hours to complete the publicised 1 hour easy walk. 

Tea was cooked on a camp fire and the four of us chatted the evening away seated around the lovely setting of a fire.

Keep River N.P. Cockatoo Lagoon

Keep River N.P. Cockatoo Lagoon

Keep River N.P. Cockatoo Lagoon

Keep River N.P. Cockatoo Lagoon

Keep River N.P. Cockatoo Lagoon

Keep River N.P. Cockatoo Lagoon

Keep River N.P. with Boab trees becoming more common

Keep River N.P. campground

Keep River N.P.

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P.

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P, our caravan the white dot

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P watching sunset changing colours

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P

Keep River N.P