Corroboree Park

 19 - 21 June 2022

We left Jabiru, and made a couple of stops along the way to our next stop - two nights at the campground at Corroborree Park Tavern. We had chosen to go there so that we would have easy access to Fogg Dam. It's still about 35km away, but closer than Howard Springs. We found a nice shady spot and discussed our options.

We decided on an afternoon session, stopping first at Adelaide River to chase the Golden Mangrove Whistler. We arrived at Fogg Dam about an hour before sunset and again were amazed at the variety of birdlife. We even saw a Jabiru with a file snake in its beak - just caught. We spent time until the sun set on the dam wall watching and photographing the birds. After a very successful afternoon we had dinner in the tavern when we returned home.

Because it's such a great place, we returned to Fogg Dam for sunrise the next morning - and again it was a very successful outing. It was only spoiled when we set off on the Woodland to Waterlily Walk and were eaten alive by mosquitoes. They were heaps worse than the last time we went on the walk a few weeks previously. We retreated to the campground, and relaxed in the shade for the rest of the afternoon.

We just had to make one last visit to Fogg Dam before heading in to Darwin again so we rose early, packed up the camper trailer and were at the dam just after sunrise. We spent another 4 hours there and had an early lunch before driving in to Darwin and out to Lee Point for a couple of nights.

Howard Springs

 2 - 5 June 2022

We called in to see the camp hosts at Florence Falls campground to give them the good news about the camera being found and they suggested a couple of stops along our way out of the park. We set off and had only gone a few hundred metres when we noticed a nasty sound coming from under the car. We had a look, could see nothing so continued on - slowly. The noise returned as the speed increased so we called in to the carpark at Buley Rockholes for another look. Still nothing, and no warning lights either. We decided to chance our luck and turned towards Darwin via Berry Springs. 

We stopped at Tabletop Swamp and had a good look around - mainly for birds. The noise under the car had persisted to that point but when we left we heard a couple of clunks and then we never heard it again. We hope that it was a stick or something similar caught in the wheel. 

We called in to Wangi Falls just before lunchtime and want for the walk down to the falls and plunge pool. The pool had not yet been reopened for swimming after the wet season. Contrary to popular belief there is not a salt water crocodile in there causing the closure. We were reliably informed that there is a marker below which the water must fall to enable  a thorough check for crocs, then the pool would be reopened. We bought lunch at the cafe and continued our journey to Howard Springs. 

We had been allocated a site in the "pets permitted" area of the caravan park, so requested a move. We are so glad we did as we ended up on a lovely shady site just a short walk from the amenities and not too far from the pool. We wasted no time in trying out the pool, and enjoyed the shade back at camp.

In the morning we went down to Howards Springs Nature Reserve to look for the Rainbow Pitta. Mick found it, but as usual it was more interested in staying in the shadows than coming out to have its photo taken. We had a look around the reserve and went down to the actual springs. You can't swim in the springs but there are some nice man-made pools to cool off in. 

Next morning we rose very early to be at Fogg Dam for sunrise and we timed it perfectly. Fogg Dam is a very well known birdwatching spot and Mick was not disappointed. We spent some time on the dam wall, and also walked along the Woodlands to Waterlily Walk. This walk skirts the edge of the dam and we saw lots of birds along the way. It's an easy 2.2km return. After our walk we stopped for coffee at the picnic area before heading back to Howard Springs and more relaxing in the shade and swimming.  

We had only a short drive of about 1/2 hour to get to our next destination in Darwin, and had arranged to check in early. We still took our time packing up and even fitted in a quick swim, before heading off. We enjoyed our time at Howard Springs so much we booked to return later in the month.