Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd July, 2024
After packing up yesterday we headed into Katherine to get water, dump our tanks and do some more shopping. We used our voucher from Woollies to buy fuel with a discount. We drove to Pine Creek where we stopped for lunch made from some of our shopping choices, good ones actually with cold meat and tiger rolls and salad.
From Pine Creek we went to the last free camping spot before Kakadu, the Harriet Creek Rest Area. The creek was dry and we were able to go for a little walk along the dry creek bed. There were about eight other vans of various kinds staying overnight. We had first of all parked in a shady spot next to the bush, but then found it was an ant highway, with the busy little creatures running actually under the van. It seemed sensible to move away from that spot.
We thought we were at the end of cool mornings, but it was lovely this morning and I put on my oodie and track pants for making tea and setting up the Starlink.
It was still about 40kms to Kakadu and we stopped at the entrance for photos, someone kindly took one of us together in front of the sign. Then we stopped at the ranger station, thinking we might get a map and information, but no one was there though the toilets were open.
We had lunch at the camping area at about 12.00 noon. Stephen thought it would be nice to stay there, but I wanted to move on to a camping area near a billabong. And that is where we are for tonight, at Jim Jim Billabong Camping Area. It’s $6 per night per person and there are drop toilets and no bins. We had bins last night, but no toilets.
We went into another campsite near here that had flushing toilets and even showers, but somehow didn’t like the feel of it. There is a notice warning about crocodiles, but Stephen said the rangers do like to try to keep the salt water crocs out of the local waterholes. Still, swimming is not recommended though there is a boat ramp for people who want to fish.
We kept our distance from the water anyway, no wanting to take chances. It’s been very warm since we arrived at about 3.00 p.m. and is still about 30 degrees C. The breeze has died down, which makes it feel even hotter. We will have a cold dinner of leftover rissoles from last night and salad to save heating up inside.
Stephen came through Kakadu when he did his greyhound trip around Australia all those years ago. I do find it interesting, but not as beautiful as the West MacDonnel Ranges. Hopefully, once we actually get to a manned Visitor Centre we can find out in more about the attractions of the park.