Kakadu National Park 14.7.12

Jabiru.


Caught up with the others at Jabiru after going to Fogg Dam and seeing the wetlands there and the amazing variety of birds along the dam wall.... Including Jacana and many others.

We did a short walk . Mostly boardwalk..through the swamp area to the pontoon. Hot. Saw a Bush Stone Curlew at eye level, watching us carefully and probably annoyed that we disturbed his sleep! A very peaceful billabong.

We had 3 days in the campground at Jabiru and then drove to UBIRR on the edge of Arnhem Land. The walk into Ubirr is very lovely and the view from the top magic! There is a strong sense of timelessness and serenity as you look towards the Arnhem Land escarpment over the wetlands which are so lush and green, and then backwards over the stone country which is so contrasting in its ruggedness. This was our second time in this place and again it had a power to move us.

 

NOURLANGIE ROCK

This rock is a huge shady overhang which has significant Aboriginal art work. It was an important meeting place at the bottom of the escarpment.

The handrails around the art sites are made from timber and have a wonderful patina where they have worn smooth from the touch of many hands.

We camped at a place called Mardugal in the national park and then went to Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls.. Both magnificent. The track in was strictly 4x4 and very slow driving.

The trip to Twin Falls was by boat and then on foot into the gorge with a view of the falls ahead as we walked closer. We didn't swim there because of the crocodiles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim Jim falls were at the end of a long scramble over boulders which tested all of us but the reward at the end was stunning. We swam in the plunge pool right up under the falls and floated on our backs looking up at the towering escarpment on three sides. The water was cold but refreshing after all our labours to reach it. We'd have stayed longer but the light was fading and we didn't want to be rock-hopping in the dark!

 

Wet!