Howard Springs

 23 - 28 June 2022

We drove the short distance from Darwin to Howard Springs where we would spend the next 5 nights. We had stayed there on our way in to Darwin at the start of the month and decided it would be a great spot to spend some more time and have a bit of a rest after some very busy weeks. 

Our plan was to catch up on housekeeping, shopping and photo editing, with maybe a few relaxed sessions at some birdy spots. We spent the first couple of days mostly around the camp but ventured out on Saturday morning to visit the nearby Fred's Pass Market. This small rural market has a number of food vans selling delicious smelling goodies, as well as crafts, plants and some produce.  

On Sunday morning we went down to revisit the Howard Springs Nature Park. We went on the short walk where Mick took a few photos before returning home. There had been reports of a rare bird sighting near the beach in Nightcliff so we headed there on Sunday evening. Mick chatted to some local birders who had seen it on previous days, but it failed to put in an appearance while we were there.

We enjoyed another lovely stay at Howard Springs and revisited the Nature Park when we finally left on Tuesday morning. There were lots of people around and we watched the resident barramundi take the fish a man and his daughter were throwing in for them. From there we continued south along the Stuart Highway to return to Litchfield National Park.

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.