Mary River National Park

15 September 2012
We decided since Carl had an RDO on Monday that we'd spend the weekend exploring the Top End. We chose Mary River National Park because it is located only 150km away along the Arnhem Hwy before Kakadu. After taking a couple of hours to pack our camping gear we headed off.

attractions ahead

Shady Camp looked a little isolated to camp with the kids so we chose to cough up $68 to stay for two nights at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge. At least we had access to showers and toilets.

16 September 2012
We went up to Shady Camp for fish and look. No luck fishing so we continued along Point Stuart road and found a great spot to return to if we have a boat to go fishing in Finke Bay. Also up that way is a memorial for the explorer Stuart, we didn't walk out to it but we did have lunch and had a great view of the local wildlife.

wild buffalo

Carl won the hearts of Harry and Will by building them a swing in the tree.

higher Daddy, higher

After lunch we went and had a look up Wildman Road, there is another wilderness lodge which we will never stay at because it costs $250 per adult and $90 for children 2 and above. You do get meals included though! Also along that road is an abandoned correctional facility which looks like it was running one day and then left the next. Carl had a little sticky beak and said there was still all the stainless steel fittings and benches in the kitchen. All the building were in tact but showing signs of deterioration.

didn't bother having a look at this

In the dark of night we went back to Shady Camp to have a look for crocodiles. There were HEAPS of them. Counted about 16, and that is in a pretty small area. Tried to take some pictures but they didn't turn out very well. Goes without saying that Carl didn't go for a fish.

17 September 2012
Packed up camp and returned to Shady Camp for another fish. People up here seem to be very casual around crocs.

croc laying on barrage, another couple near by

Forgot to mention that Shady Camp has a barrage separating the fresh and salt water. There are crocs on both sides. This morning we could see about four, one of those being quite large.

Heading for home we decided to take the Hardy 4WD track. Great scenery, truly is different country up here.