Nitmiluk National Park - Leilyn (Edith Falls) Campground

 6 -8 July 2022

We left Pine Creek and stopped at a couple of spots along the way where we might find some birds to photograph. One was just off the highway but we couldn't figure out how to get down to the river and the other was on the road into Leilyn. Mick had been to a spot that we think is known as Dead Woman Waterhole before, so he knew we could get in with the camper trailer.

This waterhole is only a little way in from the main road, with a loop track at the end. There was water and a few birds so we stayed a while, and finished up with morning tea before setting off for the campground. 

As we had expected, it was full with many families enjoying the natural surrounds. Our spot was, once again, not ideal, but was better than the one we'd had previously. The layout and orientation of many of the campsites makes them difficult to get into. The sizes on the map may be accurate but the length given for some is actually the width. Hopefully someone in NT National Parks will fix this as it makes it a bit tricky when booking using the new online system.

Although the sun was shining, there was a cold wind blowing so swimming was not on our agenda this visit. We did walk down to the pool and there were some brave souls in the water. We opted for an ice cream from the cafe instead. 

We rose early the next morning to go back to the waterhole. Mick wanted me there as spotter as he had heard dingoes during the night and was a bit worried about sitting there all alone in his throw-over hide. We spent a good while there then drove back down to the free camp near the highway where he had previously seen Gouldian Finches. We didn't stop this time as it was absolutely packed with caravans and other campers. Back at our camp we relaxed away the rest of the day, with Mick doing some more photo editing. 

We had a leisurely final morning, with Mick spending some time with the camera in the campground and day use area before having morning tea once we were packed up. We then set off for Katherine where we were to spend the next week.

Nitmiluk National Park - Leliyn (Edith Falls)

 24 - 27 May 2022

We picked up the car and trailer with the new tyres on and set off for Leliyn (Edith Falls). As usual we had booked our campsite through the NT National Parks website and timed our arrival for around lunch time. Unfortunately the site we chose wasn't ideal for us - the size stated didn't give any indication that it was a pull in site, rather than reverse in. We ended up with our kitchen and fridge facing the road and no way to put the awning out. Fortunately there was a great grassed area adjacent, with lots of shade so we spent most of our time under the trees there - when we weren't swimming in the Plunge Pool at the falls.

Once we were over the frustration of the site orientation we had lunch and set up - then it was off to the falls for the first of many swims. It was fabulous, but quite deep in parts so the pool noodles had a good workout. The campground was fully booked by mid afternoon but still people arrived thinking they could just drive in and pick a spot. There were naturally some very unhappy campers!

In the morning Mick rose early and drove back down the road on a mission to try and find Gouldian Finches - without success. We had another swim and considered our options for the rest of the day. We were both keen to go on the Leliyn Trail walk which would take us to the Upper Pool but we needed to do this in a cooler part of the day. So - would we do it later in the afternoon or in the morning before we left? In the end we decided on the only sensible thing to do - extend our stay for another night and go on the walk in the morning without having to rush to get back to pack up. Luckily our site was available for the extra night so our plan would work. More swimming and relaxing in the shade completed our day.

We did get up earlier than usual - before sunrise - and set off on the walk at about 7:30am. The first section involves a steep climb up many stairs, with some great views along the way. We reached the upper pool just after 8:00am and were the only ones there - for a little while. We had forgotten to take the pool noodles but didn't really need them as the pool has lots of shallow parts with big boulders just under the surface. We spent over an hour enjoying the waterfall and pool. It was certainly worth the climb up and the walk over rocky paths and steps.

Once we returned home we headed back to the Plunge Pool for yet another swim. We spent the rest of the day alternating between the shady grass and the cool pool - what a life! We decided to get up early in the morning so we could spend some time at a birdy spot before heading for Pine Creek. Again we rose before dawn, breakfasted and packed up as quietly as we could and were on the road just after 7:00am. We stopped at the unofficial campground near the junction with the Stuart Highway and Mick set off to look for birds while I set up a comfy chair in the shade and read. 

Mick's efforts were rewarded and he managed to get his first look - and photograph - of a Gouldian Finch in the wild. It was right where he expected to find it too. This was cause for celebration so we had morning tea and made our way to Pine Creek.

Katherine

 21 - 24 May 2022

We left Mataranka and continued north towards Katherine where we had a caravan park booking. It was a fairly short drive and we arrived in time for lunch. We were very happy with our choice of van park as there was plenty of shade and a very nice swimming pool too. We settled in and then ventured into town to restock supplies and call in to the visitor information centre. We tried out the pool late in the day too.

On Sunday morning we drove out to Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. It's about 1/2 hour from town and we arrived around morning tea time. We had a coffee on the large deck overlooking the river. There is really only one short walk so we set off - in the wrong direction. By the time we realised this and found the right path, it was getting very late in the morning and the temperature was rising. We generally try to walk early in the morning but had badly miscalculated this one. We continued on as the path parallelled the river, but some distance from it, until we reached the steps up to the lookout. I didn't go all the way up, but Mick did. We returned to the visitor centre along the path beside the river, which we found to be much nicer. We headed back home for lunch, a rest and another swim.

Late in the afternoon we went down to the Low Level Nature Reserve for a walk and to look for birds. It is quite a lovely spot, but not a good swimming spot due to the possible presence of crocodiles. Never-the-less we did see some people splashing in the shallows.

On Monday morning we drove to the Katherine Hot Springs which are quite close to town. Another very popular spot, these springs are a series of pools joined by narrow channels. We paddled and floated the morning away, enjoying the scenery and relaxing in the just warm water. Later we went into town to do some more shopping and run some errands, including arranging a couple of new tyres for the camper trailer.

On Tuesday morning we took our time packing up and revisted the Low Level Reserve before dropping the car and trailer off for the new tyres to be fitted. We filled in time poking around the shops before collecting the trailer and setting off for Leliyn (Edith Falls).