Okay – we left the Daly Waters Pub on the morning of the 15th March (my birthday) and headed to Katherine. it rained all the way up there and just as we arrived at the van park it decided to give us a dose of monsoonal rain which lasted for about an hour; we waited until it had stopped before picking a site, the choice was easy as there was only a few not underwater (it does drain very quickly though).
KATHERINE
Not too impressed with Katherine as it seems to be a bit bigger version of Tennant Creek and sufferers with the local indigenous lying around town and loitering outside the local businesses. Don't know how some of the traders survive as it puts you off even wanting to try and get in the shops.
The town does have a small shopping centre with a Woolies and Target Country, there are a few pubs in town but I would not recommend them; hard to even get in the door when they are all hanging around. There are several cafes and the like but we spent very little time in the town.
We stayed at the Shady Lane Tourist Park which is about 6km out of town on the road to Katherine Gorge; glad we did as the park is very quiet and being out of town not subject to any troublesome issues (theft, noise and wondering nomads). Some of the other van parks we looked at whilst we were in Katherine were, in our opinion pretty ordinary to say the least.
Price for this park is $33 – $37 depending on the season; the link above will give you the dates and rates and also a good look at the park. We arrived in the low season and there was only 8 or 10 vans; the park has a pool, good camp kitchen, free BBQ's and good laundry facilities. A new amenities block was nearing completion and the other main block was closed awaiting the rush; the one that was open we found a little wanting and not that good. Once the other blocks were open it would be very okay but whilst we were there the open (2 loo & shower unisex en suites) struggled with the 10 vans.
TV for us was via the dish as we could only get a snowy ABC by normal means; phone and internet was okay. We had marked in our tourist book of the area several things to do but most were still not operating and would not be until late April/early May (the season); if you are travelling to Katherine/Darwin it would pay you to check what's operating especially if you have something specific in mind.
Above our site at Katherine; be site selective as some are slab and some not also shade by palms is okay but there are sites with some what could be quite messy trees.
On the road to Katherine Gorge.
Another small sign as you get to the Gorge; I think it said “you must be this tall to enter here”.
I did not get a photo of the main street in town but here is one just outside the tourist information centre; it's the next best spot to sit after centrelink, the post office steps or the pub doorstep.
DARWIN
Arrived in Darwin after spending about a week in Katherine; lots to do here as you would expect but again check what is running and when as the season dictates if it is operating, all should be from the beginning of May.
We stayed at Hidden Valley Tourist Park which was very nice and would highly recommend it; a little pricey but well worth the money. This park does not offer much in the way of a discount but after deliberation they did offer us a 7 night stay for the 6 night price, mainly because it was fairly quiet. We paid $38 per night ($228 p/wk) but if you think this is high you wait until I get onto the northern W. A. prices.
The grounds are well maintained and it has a very nice pool; the amenities are first class and apart from the daily clean are inspected and tidied throughout the day. The park is about 8km from Darwin CBD; you do hear the odd plane and also on occasions you may get a 30 minute training run from the air force (great to watch). The park sits between Tiger Brennan Drive and the Stuart Hwy so it is quiet but has easy access to all directions and is about 5km from major shopping. Normal TV, phone and internet were no problem as you would expect.
Our site at Hidden Valley; sites were mainly grass but we had one with an “Eco Slab” which is basically a raised timber frame with open weave matting, quite good actually.
Above are the ruins of the old town hall; conservation techniques are being used to slow decay of this post Cyclone Tracy building which was erected in 1883.
Linda inside one of the cells at Fannie Bay Gaol which is another 1883 building and now a tourist attraction; new facilities were built due to overcrowding and it was closed in 1979.
Not much privacy in the loo's but ''You can leave your hat on da da da da da da”.
These gallows inside the old infirmary were used for only 2 executions. 20 year old Jerry Koci and 19 year old John Novotny were hanged in 1952 for the brutal murder of a local taxi driver, George Grantham. Gives you goosebumps standing near it and looking down where the person dropped hanging by the neck.
Linda with an orphaned Joey which had been taken in by a local family; it had been rescued from the dead mothers pouch on one of the highways.
We went on a crocodile tour down the Adelaide River and this was one of the highlights for us; the cruise was fantastic and the cost very reasonable ($30 each). The name of the tour was Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise and would highly recommend this one to you; there are about 5 operators doing this type of tour but these guys were great. We were on the boat for around 1.5hrs and enjoyed the whole experience.
One of the crocs out the water for some food.
Great photo of a sea eagle coming in for a free feed; the bone on the end of the line was about 4” long which will give you an idea of size.
One of the rather amusing signs at the departure point.
Well it is now back down to Katherine where we turn right and head for W. A stopping at a few one and two night places before getting in to Broome. Should have another post ready in a few weeks and in case your wondering we are in Denham (Monkey Mia).
Love and warm regards to you all and hope to see you soon.
David & Linda – The DavLin Rig
