Darwin Wave Pool

26 November 2012
Had a great morning at the wave pool, Darwin Waterfront. There were boogie boards for the kids to use this time and you couldn't get either one off them.

William surfing in close

Harrison wearing out Dad going in the deep

After dragging the kids away we enjoyed fish and chips at Stokes Wharf. Had to go back to the van then so we could get a few things done since we're leaving on Sunday. Looking forward to cooler weather. Has been pretty hot up here.

Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile

13 October 2012
This weekend we had the grand plans to go to Kakadu National Park but when we woke this morning we just couldn't be bothered. Instead we went into Darwin city and Carl finally bought some new shorts (after a long time of me pestering him). Whilst in town we had a bit of a look around and had a bite to eat, nothing riveting but it did pass the time.

14 October 2012
Today it was time to see the much anticipated jumping crocs. We made the journey out to Adelaide River where we boarded a smallish boat with other excited passengers. One not so thrilled baby. It wasn't long before our first encounter...they can really jump!

wow

oooohh

On our way back we were hoping we'd have the honour of meeting the famous Brutus. Our wish came true and it was well worth it.

Brutus

That afternoon we packed our camping gear and headed to Sandy Beach that looks out onto Shoal Bay, Gunn Point which is not too far from Howard Springs. Tried our hand at fishing but once again, no luck. However, the company was nice and we had an enjoyable time.

tough life...ain't it!

Kakadu - West Alligator Head

29 September 2012
The first track off the main road in Kakadu coming from Darwin follows the Wildman River until you reach West Alligator Head. We decided that would be a great start to our long weekend.

Carl had a quick fish at Two Mile Hole where he lost two soft plastics in a matter of five minutes.

great white hunter at Two Mile Hole

Onward to Four Mile Hole with a little sidetracking along the way. No fishing here as it was the middle of the day, but apparently this is the place at the moment if you have a boat.

Four Mile Hole

We were getting pretty hungry by this time so off we went in search for some shade and you wouldn't believe off the track a bit we found...

not sure why this is here

After a long and scenic drive through bushland...

a waterhole - we have never seen so many pelicans

...and floodplains we reached Pococks Beach where there are toilets, showers and a boat ramp and very strangely No Camping signs everywhere. This was very confusing so we continued on to Jungle Camp (a limit of two cars) and kept on going since this was definitely in the jungle right next to croc invested mangroves. We eventually found a great place to camp near the beach at Middle Beach camping area.

view from camp looking out to Van Diemen Gulf

view of camp from beach

The fence went around the camp ground to keep out crocs. This location is also a nesting ground for turtles, however we didn't see any, but we did see a lot of hermit crabs that night.

30 September 2012
It ended up raining through the night and looked threatening for more in the morning so after a quick pack up we were out of there. Or so we thought. We made it to the Mannasie Floodplains which were bone dry the day before but overnight turned into...um...yeah a floodplain!!! 

bogged, right up to side steps

Carl shovelled, he let air out of the tyres, tried to use the max tracks...nothing was working, then along came our rescuers in a 60 series Toyota. Once they got through it was only a little bit of towing and we were freed. Thank God, I really didn't want to spend all day there, the kids wouldn't have minded as all they could say was MUD, I like MUD.

where the car was bogged

After playing in the smelly mud we decided we needed to find somewhere to shower and watch the NRL grand final. Aurora was the closest place and since we didn't want to spend $192 on a room we camped ($34) and watched the game and ate at the bar, oh and goes without saying a few drinks too.

01 October 2012
Once again it rained over night and we were all suffering from million mozzie bites...we were over it...home please.

We ended up getting home in the early afternoon. Carl spent the rest of it washing the car and I spent it washing clothes. The boys got their wish and they played in mud!

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.

MaMa & DadDad visit Darwin

21 August 2012

I had an early start to the morning...my Mum and Dad's plane was due to arrive at 00.30am...so off to the Darwin Airport. Thankfully they arrived on time, not much to do at the airport. Took them home and for their stay they slept in our bed while Carl and I had downstairs in the annexe.

 

That morning William woke first to discover his Mum and Dad weren't in their beds but some imposter's, so as you could imagine he was a little upset until he located us. But when Harry woke, he noticed the bed had a new quilt and then he realised "MaMa!!!DadDad!!!"...so excited.

 

The remainder of the day was resting and catching up with each other.

 

That night we all went for tea at the local Tavern and Mum and I stayed on for a bit of Bingo, where I won $50, not bad for a night out!

 

25 August 2012

Today we decided a nice cruise down the Adelaide River would be the ticket. Harry was our Captain and he had plenty of info about the area and wildlife. The rest of our tour group was made up of a bunch of Melbourne friends, some of whom had already been on the trip a few years ago.

 

It wasn't long after boarding and getting underway that we saw our first of many, many crocs. 



  

one of the many crocs we saw

We had morning tea on board the boat, however for lunch we ventured on to land at Harry's private camp where he cooked up a mean BBQ. He also let us in on how he eradicated Cane Toads from the area by teaching the meat ants to eat them. He is adamant that he hasn't seen any since.

lunch

Before returning home we stopped off at Goat's Island, which is a tiny island in the middle of the river. On this island a man lives with his dogs and chooks. We were treated to a performance by one of his dogs, the kids thought it was fascinating. This man also has accommodation so if you didn't get enough you could stay and enjoy his hospitality. At least there is a bar so you may be able to cope for one night!

 

goat island with singing dog

The day was pretty long but very interesting and enjoyable. Harrison and William got to have a go at driving the boat and after all the excitement had a little sleep on the way home.

our way home

26 August 2012
At Doctors Gully there is fish feeding everyday depending on the tide. You grab the bread that is supplied and feed it to the fish, you can get in the water with them or just throw it from the side.

We arrived in the car park and you wouldn't have guessed who pulled up also, the same people who went on the tour with us yesterday. Lucky for us because one of the ladies ended up pulling William out of the water where they were feeding the fish and where I thought Carl was with them. William came crying to me saying "Fish eat me, fish eat me". He continued to say it for the rest of the day.



fish feeding at Doctors Gully

having a great time

After fish feeding we thought we should feed ourselves, so off we went to the Casino for a buffet lunch. It was very nice with everything and anything to choose from.

That evening we went to Mindil Beach Markets, which are on Thursdays and Sundays. There is numerous food and craft type stalls with entertainment thrown in. The kids like it because there is a jumping castle and playground.
 

27 August 2012

Happy Birthday to me. Thank you to all for the birthday wishes, cards and gifts.

Today I'm taking Mum, Dad and the kids to a place where Tom worked a while ago, La Belle Station. We made the long journey out there hoping we would be able to look around (since it had now turned into a tourist spot owned by RM Williams Company). However we were sadly mistaken and were only allowed to look as far as the closed gate down the road. At least we were able to eat our lunch in the shade of their trees.

We continued on to Litchfield National Park where the kids had a swim at Wangi Falls and I had offers from a Greek family to purchase William. Yes, I did knock them back. William got a nice feed of chips though.

Onwards James...the drive is quite long through Litchfield but we made it. Had a rest stop in Bachelor and got home that afternoon.

Mum and Dad looked after the kids for Carl and I while we went to the movies. It was great to get out by ourselves, pity the movie wasn't the best.

29 August 2012
Today we had a look at Darwin's Museum. There was a display on Cyclone Tracy, Aboriginal art and old fishing boats amongst other things.

Fanny Bay Goal was just down the road so we had a quick look at that. Very eerie but interesting at the same time.

  

1 September 2012

Palmerston Water Park had some sort of promotion on so we headed off there for a bit. Peppa Pig did a song and dance which William really liked. As you can see by him being at the front of the stage. Harry like it for a short time especially  when he ran on stage but was keen to get back to the waterslide.

 

William enjoying Peppa Pig

 

That night Harry and William weren't going to miss out on going to the airport to farewell their grandparents. Harry fell asleep on the way and William on the way home. Thanks Mum and Dad for visiting, we had a great time.



Crocodylus Park

1 August 2012
Come on kids let's get ready, we're off to Crocodylus Park...there were crocs, snakes, monkeys, lions, tigers and lots of other animals. Harry wasn't too keen on the crocs but William was fascinated by them. We went on a guided tour of the crocs, there were heaps of them considering how small the space was. It was a little too cold for any ferocious feeding, however some did participate and we were able to see them have a feed.

Introducing...Charmaine, crocodile feeder extraordinaire

At the end of the tour we were able to hold a small crocodile.

Even though we had a great morning I can't help but feel sorry for animals in captivity, they all seemed to have a sad looking face...except the crocs that is...

check out the smile on this one

By the way I found the perfect birthday  present you can all put in for...a lovely crocodile handbag at the bargain price of $1900.

Darwin Royal Show

26 July 2012
The Darwin Royal Show started today and since we had nothing else on, we decided to go along and have a look.

It was a typical show with mostly show bags for sale but the kids got enough freebies that we didn't need to get them one. We went and watched the racing pigs where Carl got picked on to do a 'snort like a pig' but Harry was there to save the day and he did a fantastic snort into the microphone and everyone got a big kick out of it.

Harry was the flag waver for our section

The Bananas in Pyjamas did an appearance at the ABC tent, and I mean appearance, all they did was come and get their photo taken with each child. Harry and Will were quite disappointed that they didn't do a show and weren't keen at all with getting their photo taken.

B1 & B2

We couldn't go past the mechanical bull without Harry begging us for a ride.

future bull rider

Sideshow alley got a visit and the kids had a go on the clowns and Carl took them on the Dodgem Cars. Harry was first and Will couldn't wait to have a turn.

Harry at the wheel

Will's turn

Harry spotted Peppa Pig in the crowd but was too shy to have a picture with her.

Will and Peppa Pig

William ended up falling asleep in Carl's arms after lunch which meant that was the end of the show, I think we did really well having stayed there for four hours.