Day 43, 44 & 45 Bundy Station

A while ago another traveler had told us about Mt Bundy Station at Adelaide River. She said it was a lovely campsite on a cattle farm. So after one more dip in the lovely springs we packed up camp and drove to Mt Bundy Station via a tourist drive. 

Mt Bundy Station was just outside the small town of Adelaide River and it turned out to be a lovely spot. It was really quiet, which meant we had most of the amenities and the swimming pool to ourselves. Finally we felt relaxed enough to spend a whole day reading a book next to the pool. We enjoyed it that much that we stayed for another 2 days.

The great thing about a farm stay is that you are surrounded by animals. We had peacocks and a horse walking around our campsite and then there were heaps of little kangaroos too!

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Day 42 Edith Falls to Douglas Springs

This morning we wanted to go and have a walk to, and a swim in, the upper pools of Edith Falls.

Although it was still early it was already stinking hot. Now that I get to think of it, it just never cools down anymore... not even at night.

Nevertheless, the walk up was pretty easy and the upper pools were absolutely great. We swam near the waterfalls for a bit and drifted along the little streams. 

 At one point I almost stepped on a very big and hairy spider but that didn't even bother me. This place is just too beautiful. No crawly creature can spoil that!

Back at the car park we got dressed and drove off to our next destination; Douglas Springs. We didn't find much information about it but we decided to check it out anyway. It turned out to be the right decision. That afternoon we found ourselves sitting in a shallow river with crystal clear water, surrounded by trees and sand banks. On top of that there were hot springs underneath the river bottom which meant the water temperature could get up to 60 degrees at some spots. We moved around from cold water spots to warm water spots just amazed by nature once again. The best spa ever!

We decided to camp overnight as there was a big basic campsite just next to the springs. This meant we could watch the sun set whilst drifting in a heated river, enjoying an ice cold beer.

Can it get any better???

Day 41 Edith Falls

From Katherine Gorge we drove to Edith Falls today. We had to go back via Katherine where we stocked up on food and fuel and from there it was just an hour drive north.

There was a small but neat campground at Edith Falls where we decided to stay the night.

The lower plunge pool at the bottom of the falls had just re-opened for swimming a few days before. This means it is considered 'crocodile save' to swim here after the rain season.

Well, a quick little dip was more than enough for me no matter how crocodile save they say it is!

Luckily the only bites we got where those of the little fish swimming around us whilst nibbling our legs and feet.

Day 39 & 40 Katherine Gorge

In Katherine we did some grocery shopping and from there we drove to our next campsite at Nitmiluk National Park. 

The afternoon was spent cleaning the van and rearranging things a bit. 

This campsite was the most expensive one so far ($38 per night) but at least they had a beautiful pool where we were able to cool off about every half an hour...lol! 

Around dusk the flying foxes an bats woke up from the riverbanks nearby. During the day they just hang there in the trees but as soon as the sun sets they get active. The sky literately saw black with them for a while.

We also had to share the campsite with lots of wallabies. They were very cheeky. At one point we came back from the pool and discovered one of them had actually stolen our bread and was eating it underneath our van. And when we left for a swim a bit later we came back to find our garbage bags torn apart and all our rubbish was lying around with misses kangaroo sitting in the middle of it!

We decided to stay for another night. We did the Burawei loop walk and had a nice view of Katherine Gorge at the top. We had plans to do another walk but it was just too hot (36 degrees and very humid). So instead we speny the afternoon at the pool chillaxing!

Day 37 & 38 Mataranka Homestead

From Daly Waters we drove 150 km to Mataranka. The termite mounts along the way are amazing and we can only come to the conclusion that those little termites are pretty hard workers! They were everywhere ranging in all different shapes and sizes.

We definitely have to get used to the tropical temperatures and took all the opportunities we could to get in the water for a swim. 

At Bitter Springs we met our neighbors from the previous days once again and they offered us their pool noodle to drift along the stream for a bit. So we did. It was quite an experience floating in the rain forest and sometimes we had to duck to get underneath the spiderwebs and their massive owners! Scary!

We decided to stay at Mataranka Homestead for two nights as it was just so beautiful and relaxing. The natural pool, surrounded by palm trees and a constant temperature of 34oC, was amazing. We even swam at night when it was pitch black in the forest. Very special.

There was heaps of wildlife around like geckos, lizards, frogs and birds in all sorts and sizes, and heaps of tiny little wallabies!

Day 36 Banka Banka Station to Daly Waters

After brekkie we packed up our stuff and made the short walk up to the lookout point. It was nice to see the station from above. Looking like a little oasis in the middle of this remote land.

We had more then 300 km to drive today and with the temperatures getting very tropical that's more than enough for one day. We took a quick detour for lunch to Longreach Waters. 

In the afternoon we arrived at Daly Waters where we stayed at one of Australia's well known outback pubs.

And although we brought the average age down quiet a bit we had a lovely time. We ate at the pub, enjoying live entertainment with our fellow campers whom we had met the previous evening.