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savannah way
(Queensland - northern Territory)

3rd October 2015 - 17th October 2015

Took off on the unsealed road towards Darwin, known as the Savannah Way. Passing by small towns of Mount Surprise, Georgetown, Normanton, Doomadgee, Crawford and onto Katherine – a total of 2,111km. Spending a night in Katherine, we drove up North to Darwin, spent a few days to relax and get prepared, then after a day at the Northern Territory Wildlife Park to which we managed to obtain free tickets from Maccas, hit the road the following morning down towards the Red Centre Way.


Northern Territory

Abbreviated NT.
Borders West Australia, South Australia and Queensland. Darwin being the Capital of NT. Estimated population of 243,700.


Ravenshoe
At 930 metres (3,050 ft) above sea level, it is Queenslands Highest Town.

Mount Surprise
Railway town and first Gulf Savannah Town. It is the centre for gem fossicking, which sits on the edge of the immense Undara Lava caused by ancient volcanic eruptions..

Georgetown
Centre for the Etheridge Goldfield which still yield gold-nuggets and semi-precious stones. Known as 'Poor Man's Goldfield' as gold nuggets could be picked up from the ground without expensive equipment.

Croydon
Heritage Capital of the Gulf due to discovery of Gold in 1885 and led the town to be rich. Population 130, with just 1 Police Officer.

Normanton
Port of Croydon's gold rush. Population 1500.

Burketown
Macassans from Sulawesi settled along the coastline and islands 600years prior to European Discovery, and is the oldest city in the Gulf. Population 180.

Doomadgee
Original town destroyed by a Cyclone, population decresed by 9,000 over the years, now that of 1,258.

Caranbirini Park
Aboriginal name: Yalyalacomella. A Lost City, with bizarre towering rock formation in the Abner Range, and uneven sandstone which creates an eerie landscape.


Points of Interest: 
Ravenshoe - Gillies Highway - Gadgara Forest Reserve - Lake Barrine – Yungaburra

Savannah Way
Ravenshoe - Wind Farm - MillStream Falls - Innot Hot Springs - Mount Garnet - 40Mile Scrub Park - Mount Surprise – Georgetown Lookout - C.E GreenPark - Georgetown Info Point – Georgetown Pool - Cumberland Historic Mine Site and Billabong – Croydon – Info Point Mining Showcase - Police Sergeants Residence - Police Station – Gaol – Courthouse - Art Gallery – Town Hall - Oldest General Store - Chinese Temple – Normanton - L.E.W Henry Park - Krys the Crocodile - Dump Point - Little Bynoe River Rest Stop - Burke Shire - Leichhart Falls – Burketown - Burketown Bore – Gregory – Gregory River - Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire - Nicholson River - Hell's Gate - Dilldoll Rocks – Calvert - Robinson River - Wearyan River – Borroloola - Caranbirini Conservation Area - McArthur Gravel Pit – Crawford - Alternative Route on Savannah - Goanna Creek – Mcarthur - Daly Waters - World War II hospital - Truck Stop Birdum - Mataranka Thermal Springs - Elsey National Park - 'We of the Never Never' House Replica – Mataranka - Bitter Spring - Katherine

Ryan Park – Edith - Stuart Highway – Nitmiluk National Park - Leliyn (Edith) Falls - Pine Creek – Pine Creek Park - Lake Copperfield Recreation Park – Douglas/Daly Rest Area - Adelaide River – Coolalinga - Darwin CBD – Esplanade - Bicentennial Park - Casuarina Beach - Rapid Creek - Shopping Village Sunday Market – Nightcliffe – Jetty - Coconut Grove - Lake Alexander - Mindil Beach - Fannie Bay - Vestys Beach - Northern Territory Art Gallery and Museum – Berrimah - Lee Point – Leanyer – Kameesha - Stuart Park - Bees Creek Bush Camp - Palmerston Waterpark – Palmerston – Berry Springs - Casuarina Conservation Park - Northern Territory Wildlife Park - Ludmila

Savannah Way Fuel Stops:
49km - Fuel #1 Ravenshoe BP ($31.40) ($1.389/ltr)
318km - Fuel #2 Ampol Georgetown ($46) ($1.361/ltr)
464km - Fuel #3 - Mobil Croydon ($24.95) ($1.429/ltr)
626km - Fuel #4 - Variety Store Normanton ($33.60) ($1.569/ltr)
898km - Fuel #5 - Tirrana Springs Roadhouse, Gregory ($71.65) ($1.870/ltr)
971km - Fuel #6 - Doomadgee Roadhouse ($20.65) ($1.850/ltr)
1,052km - Fuel #7 - Hell's Gate Roadhouse ($17.00) ($1.950/ltr)
1,366km - Fuel #8 Gulf Mini Mart Borroloola ($79.25) ($1.690/ltr)
1,523km - Fuel #9 - Heartbreak Hotel Crawford ($35.00) ($1.990/ltr)
1,795km - Fuel #10 Hi-Way Inn Daly Waters ($53.90) ($1.590/ltr)

Bars/Restaurants:
Club Hotel - Lazy Lizard

Shops/Fast-Food:
Friendly Grocer - Ravenshoe BP - Ampol Georgetown - Mobil Croydon - Variety Store Normanton - Tirrana Springs Roadhouse - Doomadgee Roadhouse - Hell's Gate Roadhouse - Gulf Mini Mart Borroloola - Heartbreak Hotel Crawford - Hi-Way Inn Daly Waters – Woolworths - Maccas - Friendly Grocer – Domino's – Jaycar - Darwin 2nd Hand & New Tyres – JB-Hifi - SuperCheap Auto – Repco - Palmerston Shopping Centre – Kmart – Big W

Events/Attractions:
Coolalinga Rural Markets - Every Saturday - 8am - 1pm. Bees Creek Road & Stuart Highway, Freds Pass NT 0822, Australia +61 410 836 880
Rapid Creek Shopping Village Sunday Market - Darwin's oldest Market. Sunday from 6.30am to 1.30pm. 48 Trower Rd, Millner NT 0810, Australia  +61 416 812 665
Mindil Beach Sunset Market – facebook - Famous for its stunning sunset over the Timor Sea. Sundays and Thursdays from 4pm-9pm. Raffles Plaza, 2/1 Buffalo Ct, Darwin City NT 0800, Australia +61 8 8981 3454. Thursdays
Northern Territory Art Gallery and Museum – websitefacebook - Free admission - 19 Conacher Street, The Gardens, Darwin NT 0820  +61 8 8999 8264 Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm Weekends and Public Holidays: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Northern Territory Wildlife Park – websitefacebook - $26 per person entrance fee including free shuttle around park - Cox Peninsula Rd, Berry Springs NT 0838, Australia +61 8 8988 7200

 

Fun Fact:
Mount Garnet "Gateway to the Gulf"
Mount Surprise "Jewel of a Town”
Normanton 'Home of the Gulflander”
Burketown 'Barramundi Capital of Australia'

Only NSW and Victoria change the time (Daylight Savings). Queensland don't want to change to daylight saving as it mixes up the cows.

Australian Bush Flies - Breeds in cow dung therefore mostly found in outback or bush. The female bush fly looks for protein through saliva, blood, mucus and tears to breed, hence the persistance and always aims for the face continually.

Darwin Local Crocodile named 'The Big One'.

Larrakia Story:
Long ago a Larrakia ate a certain berry, when some of its juice squirted in his eyes, and became blind. In his agony he tossed himself over the slope he was at and fell, rolling and rolling down the slope, reaching the cliffs on the coast and fell into the sea. The rolling motion continued until he gradually changed into a dugong. That is how they were made.

Savannah Way Trail
Day #1
03-10-2015
Day #2
04-10-2015
Day #3
05-10-2015
Day #4
06-10-2015
Day #5
07-10-2015
Day #6
08-10-2015
Diary

          Day236 (Savannah Way Day #1) 
Ravenshoe - Queensland Highest Town.
Mount Surprise - Railway town and first Gulf Savannah Town. It is the centre for gem fossicking, which sits on the edge of the immense Undara Lava caused by ancient volcanic eruptions.
Georgetown - Centre for the Etheridge Goldfield which still yield gold-nuggets and semi-precious stones. Known as 'Poor Man's Goldfield' as gold nuggets could be picked up from the ground without expensive equipment.

07:05 Started driving to Ravenshoe to start making our way to Darwin. Passing through the winding Gillies Highway, an uphill scenic drive of the Gadgara Forest Reserve, with boulders and trees on one side, and the sun piercing through the clouds onto the grassy mountains on the other side, and seeing push-bike riders and many racing motorcycles with their morning Saturday ride. Stopping at Lake Barrine, we passed through Yungaburra

08:33 - 0km Caught the Savannah Way. 
09:13 - 33km Wind Farm; Ravenshoe
09:20 - 49km Fuel #1 Ravenshoe BP ($31.40) ($1.389/ltr).
09:35 - 52km Diverted 1km dirt road towards a 360m walk to MillStream Falls.
10:15 - 81km Innot Hot Springs (fuel available). Pulled over to touch the natural hot (very hot) water flowing along the river.
10:48 - 97km Mount Garnet "Gateway to the Gulf". A small town with everything provided. Stopped at Friendly Grocer, now drizzling and grey clouds, and bought some frozen sausages 500g for $4.80. Already many road kills, huge termite boulders, red soil and seeing the dry rivers and land. What a difference from the Tropical of the North Coast.
11:48 - 161km Stopped at 40Mile Scrub Park for a stretch. Also found a box of bush fire survival leaflets.
12:10 - 188km Driving through the highway, we found cow traffic, quite a few being hearded by men and dogs along the road.
12:40 - 222km - Mount Surprise "Jewel of a Town". Small town, everything provided, free car weed washer was closed, which is recommended to clean your car from weed.
13:28 - 286km Lookout; Georgetown. Just us and the desert.
13:53 - 314km Georgetown. Stopping at C.E GreenPark, we cooked Pasta with Sausages in Stroganoff Sauce whilst being surrounded by atleast 6 different types of bird species, some of which the Magpie, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Great Bower Bird, and Wedge-tailed Eagle; and the desert on the other side. 
15:30 - 317km Georgetown Info Point
15:50 - 318km Fuel #2 Ampol Georgetown ($46) ($1.361/ltr)
16:00 - 319km Had a dip in the free swimming pool, and departed at 17:10.
17:24 - 336km Cumberland Historic Mine Site and Billabong; a bird watching retreat with over 140 bird species, and also one of the largest and successful gold mines. Eating some oranges whilst birdwatching, we enjoyed our first sunset in the Savannah at 18:35, with the blood red sky, birds singing, hawks flying and a strong wind which goes for miles along the open land.

            Day237 (Savannah Way Day #2) 
Croydon - Heritage Capital of the Gulf due to discovery of Gold in 1885 and led the town to be rich. Population 130, with just 1 Police Officer.
Normanton - Port of Croydon's gold rush. Population 1500.

07:07 - 388km Making our way. Driving through many eagles, black cuckatoos, ravens, and kangaroos (along several roadkills!).
08:41 - 463km Croydon. Stopping at the Info Point, we got confused if the time has been updated or not, and learnt only NSW and Victoria change the time (Queensland don't want to change to daylight saving as it mixes up the cows). Learning about the Mining Industry, we also watched a free 15min 'Gold to Now' film on the town's history. Viewing old mining artefacts, machinery and equipment, restored Bedford Cars dating to 1870s, and Hans Pehl Sculptures, we also took a free heritage walk around town seeing the Police Sergeants Residence (1897), Police Station (1896) and Gaol (pronounced Jail), the Courthouse (1887 - last court held 1926) with an interactive court case, Art Gallery, and Town Hall (1890). 30 degrees. Visiting the Oldest General Store still open in Australia (since 1894), having a can of XXXX Gold ($5.10) at the Club Hotel which was built in 1887 and the last of the 36hotels in Croydon, and visited the remnants of Chinese Temple.
12:26 - 464km Fuel #3 - Mobil Croydon $24.95 ($1.429/ltr) and continued our drive.
14:20 - 618km - Normanton 'Home of the Gulflander'. Fire rating - Catastrophic! 34degrees. Info Point closed, and so is majority of shops/toilets/fuel stations. Cooking at L.E.W Henry Park next to Krys the Crocodile (8m replica of an actual crocodile caught), we cooked some Spaghetti with Sausages in Stroganoff Sauce, and went to the Dump Point to wash the dishes and refill our waters before a long drive of no refills.
16:45 - 626km Fuel #4 - Variety Store Normanton ($33.60) ($1.569/ltr)
17:12 - 658km Started Unsealed Road. 
17:18 - 665km Left turned onto the Little Bynoe River Rest Stop. Feeling very hot, surrounded by many flies and refreshing on oranges, we walked to the river, found a dead bird, kangaroo and crocodile in a span of 1km and enjoyed some wildlife in the dry dessert land, till we went back to the car and waited till the sun set at 18:40 to hopefully cool down.

          Day238 (Savannah Way Day #3) 
Burketown - Macassans from Sulawesi settled along the coastline and islands 600years prior to European Discovery, and is the oldest city in the Gulf. Population 180.
Doomadgee - Original town destroyed by a Cyclone, population decresed by 9,000 over the years, now that of 1,258.

A night sky filled with stars, and the sound of birds from dusk to dawn. What a beautiful feeling knowing you are in the Savannah with no type of technology and modern lifestyle - just basic outback. 
07:00 - 665km - Started making our way. Heaps of bones everywhere, eagles roaming and torn tyres. Not that bad of a corrugated road. Every so 40kms you get a patch of 2km tarmac.
08:31 - 782km - Burke Shire - Leichhart Falls - just few water, and took a 15minute stretch. 09:40 - 853km Burketown 'Barramundi Capital of Australia'. Stopping at the Burketown Bore, 10metres above land and 702.3metres below ground, with water at 68degrees. Driving around town, walking around tens and tens of grasshoppers, and having a refreshing shower (first frog in the toilet!), we tried the Info Point but it was still closed. 11:30 Parking the car under some trees on the pavement (no shade anywhere!), whilst watching hundreds of cockatoos flying around, we decided to eat here as the next town will be on unsealed road and barely any shade, let alone water and tables. Around 13:00, we cooked Fusilli in Creamy Tomato Sauce and Luncheon Meat. Going to the petrol station to refuel, we learned it was Labour Day today and it was closed. 
14:14 - 864km Continued our way. Hoping to find fuel station to refuel. 34 degrees. Glancing at the road ahead, the sun reflects the bitumen making it look all glassy and wet, visibility 100m maybe. NT Border 206km!! - Darwin 1425km!!
14:40 - 898km Fuel #5 - Tirrana Springs Roadhouse, Gregory $71.65 (1.870/ltr).
14:50 - 902km Gregory River - overflown river onto road.
15:43 - 961km Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire. What a shame. A very dirty, and run-down town. We drove to the fuel station but it closed at 15:30 due to the feast. Staying in the shade, an hour later we drove to the Rest Area right next to Nicholson River, 1km South again, to sleep for the night. Still too early, it was also very hot, but we waited for the sun to set behind our car, reflecting in the river, with wild horses roaming, and the rustling of frogs all around us.

          Day239 (Savannah Way Day #4)

08:24 - 967km Departed the Rest Area and stopped at the Doomadgee S'Market 4km North. Refilled water bottles. 
08: 42 - 971km Fuel #6 - Doomadgee Roadhouse $20.65 (1.850/ltr). Departed. 
09:30 - 1,027km - Unsealed road and bulldust. 21km of red soil and dust, then back to sealed. 09:49 - 1,052km Hell's Gate! We came across 12-15 tumbled, burned cars since this morning! Fuel #7 - Hell's Gate Roadhouse $17 ($1.950/ltr). Fuel station/convenience shop and bbq area. 3km along the road we stopped at Dilldoll Rocks looking for aborigibal art, to no success. Continued our way after 20mins searching in the scorching sun.
11:02 - 1,095km Sealed road finally, after almost breaking the car on the very corrugated and rough road.
11:11/ 10:41 - 1,106km Hello Northern Territory! Or nature territory according to billboard. Moved clocks back by 30minutes!
12:28 - 1,231km - Stopped for a rest along the road in Calvert.
13:00 - 1,266km - Crossed Robinson River and pulled over to tighten roofrack and for a 10minute stretch.
13:50 - 1,313km Wearyan River. Deepest crossing we've done so far!
14:34 - 1,366km Borroloola - Sealed road! Fuel #8 Gulf Mini Mart Borroloola $79.25 ($1.690/ltr). They had an aquarium with a turtle and a small salt water crocodile inside! We realised we busted a tyre too! Driving slowly around the Aboriginal town, we could not locate a good place to cook, so we made our way out.
15:50 - 1,419km - Stopped at a Rest Area just next to the Caranbirini Conservation Area for the night. Cooked some Shells with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Luncheon Meat, but the flies would not let us be - Leon ate covered in the fly sheet and Kirsten ate in the car. Feeling like dead bodies being surrounded by tens of flies all aiming at our eyes, mouth, nose or ears, we changed the bust tyre, wrapped tops around our face to hopefully be able to work. 18:05 - Realised we could not sleep here because of the unberable flies, and made way to the following rest area. 
18:22 - 1,431km Stopped at the following McArthur Gravel Pit. After cleaning some bulldust off the side doors and car interior, and cleaning our feet from all the dirt we had, we tucked in bed, still hearing the buzzing from all the flies.

          Day240 (Savannah Way Day #5)
Caranbirini Park - Aboriginal name: Yalyalacomella. A Lost City, with bizarre towering rock formation in the Abner Range, and uneven sandstone which creates an eerie landscape.
Australian Bush Flies - Breeds in cow dung therefore mostly found in outback or bush. The female bush fly looks for protein through saliva, blood, mucus and tears to breed, hence the persistance and always aims for the face continually.

07:25 - 1,431km Detouring back to yesterday's Conservation Area, we arrived at 07:58 at Caranbirini Park, and walked 3.80km amongst the huge rock formations. Even though we were attacked alive by the annoying flies, which barely gave us a chance for a proper photo and could barely breathe (aiming at nose and mouth), it was a gorgeous site!
08:55 - 1,454km Continued our way...
10:00 - 1,523km Fuel #9 - Heartbreak Hotel Crawford $35 ($1.990/ltr). Refilled water bottles and caught the Alternative Route on the Savannah Way.
10:35 - 1,564km Stopped at Goanna Creek in Mcarthur hoping there would be some rainwater to have a shower. Empty. Stopping at another 2 rest stops along the way, all had empty tanks (and flies!).
13:28 - 1,795km Fuel #10 Hi-Way Inn Daly Waters $53.90 ($1.590/ltr). Driving around town to try and find a good spot to eat, passing the old World War II hospital, we drove back to the petrol station, and cooked some Spaghetti in Carbonara with Luncheon Meat. Having a shower, drizzling and relaxing after a day of driving, we needed a cold drink as all water in the car was too hot to down, and bought a 1.25ltr Pepsi for $5.50.
18:10 - 1,819km Started driving. 
18:35 - 1,846km Arrived at a Truck Stop in Birdum and drove inwards towards the bush. Eating some oranges, raining but very hot, we decided it was a good place and quiet to spend the night here.

          Day241 (Savannah Way Day #6)
07:36 - 1,846km Departed the Rest Area. Came across many road trains today. 
09:05 - 1,990km Mataranka Thermal Springs in Elsey National Park. Parked next to the 'We of the Never Never' House Replica, we walked along the boardwalk having hundreds of little flying foxes soaring above the sky and then arriving at the thermal springs.
10:50 - 2,006km Passing Mataranka, arrived at Bitter Spring and took a dip in the warm lagoon. Continued our way at 11:45.
12:52 - 2,111km Katherine. Back to Civilisation & end of our Savannah Journey. Stopping at Woolworths, we drove to Ryan Park to cook us some well deserved and looking forward Lamb Burgers in Turkish Bread, salad and Pork Sausages. Surrounded by bat noises and having at least 20 Eagles, the temperature rose up to 38degrees. Drove to Maccas around 16:15 for some soft serve and frozen coke, to chill ourselves with the luxury of airconditioning and not surrounded by flies.
18:40 Refilling full tank (95, as the 91 unleaded in NT is tempered with and does the car damage). Drove 25kms up to a rest stop in Edith along the Stuart Highway, amd collected some wood to make a fire. Making some leftover bread, burger and salad in the jaffo-line, we finally enjoyed a nice quiet breeze, reflecting what a great adventure we just had, and soon another longer one to come.
          Day242
07:55 Onto Edith Falls. Arriving at 08:20 in the Nitmiluk National Park, we walked 100m to the Leliyn (Edith) Falls. Refreshing swim amongst the fish (there were also Estuary Freshwater Crocs but they only come out at night), seeing many waving lizards and having a cool shower, we departed at 10:40 45kms towards Pine Creek. Stopping at the Info Point then the Lazy Lizard for some info on Kakadu National Park, we saw a free display of snakes, then drove off around town to find some shade. Stopping at the only Park, we got asked by Nicole, a local aboriginal, in order to buy her and her cousin some 'slab', alcohol. Declining politely and after some few minutes she gave up, she advised us to be careful along the road and made their way. 37degrees, we drove South to Lake Copperfield Recreation Park at 13:15, cooked some Fusilli and Penne in Carbonara and sausages, then made our way back to the Pine Creek Park to refill our water bottles (water so hot!), and visit the Friendly Grocer to buy some cold drinks. Buying Calippo ($3) and an Ice Lolly ($2), along with a refreshing cold 1.25ltr Coke, we hung out in the shade and departed at 16:55, driving 75kms along the highway to a Rest Area in Douglas/Daly along the Creek. Lighting some wood and playing cards, the sun set and we were under attack by the different types of insects which were all circling the little light we had, therefore we decided to go inside the car, and finally watch the awaited Jurassic World.
          Day243
08:45 After hassling with the Cooler Cigarette lighter adapter (broke off), and the Battery Pack adapter broke off too (what's happening this morning!), we drove off to Darwin, passing Adelaide River. Stopping at the Saturday Market in Coolalinga at 09:45, we saw several food stalls, local-made items, along with snakes, chicks, ducks and dogs for sale. Driving a few kms, we stopped at Woolworths then to Maccas for some Frozen Grape Slushie, and won a free cheeseburger! Enjoying the AC and cool drink, we drove off to Darwin CBD. Parking $2.50/hr and multiple free parking, we visited the Info Point, meeting a local family along the way raising awareness for Dingoes. Learning that there are no penalties for shooting dingoes, and that they are not protected, we couldn't resist the adorable two female dingoes, Echo and Willow. After obtaining the Info, we walked out into the heat of the sun and spent another 30minutes talking to this friendly family, learning about Northern Territory ways and sharing experiences. Feeling hungry around 13:00, we tried ordering Domino's, but prices are double here! Remembering people told us Darwin was expensive, we visited Wooly's, bought a whole chicken (usually $10 but it was $11 here), salad and an orange juice (40c more expensive than the usual), and walked to the Esplanade to the Bicentennial Park. 
17:00 Made our way to Casuarina Beach, North of Darwin, and parked in some shade. Walking along the beach, seeing at least 5 shovel nose shark heads, we enjoyed the clear red sunset, and walked to the nearest drive-in bottle shop and bought x6 Great Northern 375ml cans for just $15.25.
Playing some cards, drinking and snacking on some crisps, we spent the rest of the night with the company of three lovely local aboriginal people (two were called Lanette and Basil). Telling us about how the vicinity changed due to Cyclone Tracy, the local croc named 'Big One', how they enjoy breathing in the salt from the massive tide in breeze, about their family and spent a good hour and half laughing and offering us beer, and calling us brother and sister.
          Day244
What a nightmare sleeping! It was so humid during the night that by 07:00 we departed and drove up to Rapid Creek for a refreshing shower. Making our way to the Shopping Village Sunday Market, we were in doubt if we caught a flight to Asia! Many Thai stalls, Vietnamese, Chinese and several other nationalities (Greek, Sri Lankan, Indian and German), we enjoyed a good look around till 09:00 and departed to Wooly's in Nightcliffe, fuelling up along the way. Stopping at the Jetty at Nightcliffe, at 10:30 we made some delicious roll with tomato paste, onions, olives, tuna and salad. Staying longer at the park relaxing and in the shade, we drove to Jaycar in Coconut Grove to purchase some electronic components, then to Maccas to enjoy the cold air and some ice-cream.
15:30 Getting hungry again, we stopped by Wooly's Nightcliffe, and visited the Lake Alexander to make another bread roll with some leftovers from the morning. It was time to visit the Sunset Market in Mindil Beach - what a market! Aboriginal crafts, local arts, lights, food stalls and such an atmosphere. Live show street performers using whips, another juggles using a knife, sword and taking a bite out of an apple, and another guy really knew how to climb up and down a pole. After having fun attempting with Spinning Plastic Plates and Spinning Diabolo, at around 21:00 we made our way to the Nightcliffe Jetty to sleep, hopefully with not many mosquitoes and hoping it's not a very humid night again!
          Day245
Larrakia Story:
Long ago a Larrakia ate a certain berry, when some of its juice squirted in his eyes, and became blind. In his agony he tossed himself over the slope he was at and fell, rolling and rolling down the slope, reaching the cliffs on the coast and fell into the sea. The rolling motion continued until he gradually changed into a dugong. That is how they were made.

Drove to Fannie Bay at 07:30, stopping by Vestys Beach, we then stopped at the Northern Territory Art Gallery and Museum. Free admission, we saw documentary and the actual stuffing of Sweetheart, the 5m Crocodile, Gallery of Indigenous Art, several fossils and touched bones and skulls of wombats, cats and dogs, crocodiles, magpie and more, passed through exhibition spaces of sea creatures, spiders, snakes and shells, termite moulds, Maritime Gallery and Cyclone Tracy Exhibition and going into an audio room to hear an original recording of the cyclone sound.
11:30 Driving around towns looking to buy a 2nd hand tyre, we stopped at the fourth shop 'Darwin 2nd Hand & New Tyres' in Berrimah and fitted one for $100. Visiting JB-Hifi to take a look around, then SuperCheap Auto, we started getting hungry by the 13:30 and visited Wooly's in Nightcliff. Driving to the Jetty, we cooked some coconut marinated chicken, beef, sausages, with salad, buttered mushrooms and baked beans. Being surrounded by seagulls and eagles (along with having fun feeding the eagles), at 16:30 went to K-Mart Garage to see how much a service would cost ($300 just for a basic one!) and then went Maccas in Coconut Grove to jobsearch, update our CV's, and obviously for a soft serve. Getting dark, at 20:30 we headed to Casuarina Beach once again, watched 'Dope', then headed to bed.

          Day246 
Driving all the way up to Lee Point at 07:30, we had a refreshing shower (along with the many mosquitoes), then drove back down to Wooly's in Leanyer. Buying 670g Marinated Kangaroo Meat for $9.30, along with Herb Sausages and several items and some chocolates, we stopped at Repco then Supercheap Auto in Kameesha to buy the Fuel Filter ($25), Oil Filter ($14) and Oil ($34.55). Getting a call from Tony, the owner of a Roadhouse in Kakadu National Park, and discussing options regarding work, we drove off to Nightcliffe Jetty around 13:30, cooking the yummy Kangaroo steak with sausages and salad with a nice breeze. Being amused at seeing a bearded dragon fall from a tree and sprinting on its two hind legs to the next tree, along with having fun feeding the eagles, we were in need of some cool air and drove to Stuart Park - Maccas. Ordering a new taste of x2 Frozen Raspberry ($2), before we knew the sun was setting. Quickly driving to a safe place, we stopped at Bees Creek Bush Camp at 19:00, parking along with several other cars, and hoping to try and change the new car stuff first thing in the morning.
          Day247
By 07:00, Leon was already servicing the car, but obviously as always, it was not plain sailing. First step of emptying oil - tick. Oil Filter removal - tore a waist belt in order to try and bulge it. Fuel filter - spanners we had not the proper size. Asking some backpackers for different sized spanners but to no luck, we repoured the old oil back in the engine and at 10 drove to Supercheap Auto in Berrimah and bought a wrench and a spanner set. Not costing more than $24, after driving back to the rest area, the job was easily done. Scorching 28degrees already (noon) and completely filthy, the service was a success, along with some washing of clothes and cleaning of car whilst waiting for Leon.
An immediate drive to Palmerston Waterpark and had a refreshing shower. 14:30, visited Maccas in Nightcliff, drove to the Jetty and cooked ready-marinated 700g Basa Fillet (tomato&basil and teriyaki&ginger) EACH! 38degrees! Continued washing of bedding (20mins and dried) , and sorting out some stuff, we watched the red ball of flames go down and hide behind the ocean. As per routine lately, we visited Maccas Coconut Grove for x2 soft serves, then decided to visit Hungry Jacks for new slush taste of Frosty Watermelon, Sherbet and Apple. Having a salesperson guy encouraging us to fill in the feedback on the receipts provided, as reward we got two cheeseburgers which went down pretty well after desert! At 21:30 we drove to Casuarina Coastal Reserve to sleep for the night and enjoy some sea breeze and a bit of cool air
          Day248
Waking at 07:00, hearing an aboriginal woman singing beautifully, then chilling at the carpark, we drove to Palmerston Shopping Centre to Coles and bought some scones and banana milk for bfast. Killing time by walking around KMart, Big W and around the shopping centre, at 10:00 we visited the library to sort out some documents and charge some electronics. Already 14:30, we stopped by Coles once more, then Wooly's for some salad, and went to Palmerston Water Park. Enjoying some shade, we cooked chicken in Creamy Sauce and mushrooms, sausages and salad, then at 16:50 went opposite the road for some slush at Hungry Jacks. 
The day almost flew by! We quickly drove to Mindil Beach for the Thursday Sunset Market. Arts, performance, music, passing time playing with some hoola hoops, food and entertainment (along with staring with appreciation at a guy playing the magical sound of the Hand Pan), we stayed till 21:10 then made our way to Nightcliffe Jetty once again to spend the night there.
         Day249

Waking up at 07:00, we drove to Lee Point for a shower (along with around 50mosquitoes) and at 09:10 started making our way to the Northern Territory Wildlife Park in Berry Springs. Making it exactly at 10:00 and entered for free ($26 per person but won two attraction tokens at Maccas and decided to visit this Park). Catching the free shuttle train within the park, we stopped at the Nocturnal House (Ngik), and walked along the Woodland Walk. Spent some 30mins feeding and patting some wallabies, along with nursing Charlie, a 1year old agile wallaby. 
Stopping by the Nocturnal House, we saw brushtail possums, carpet pythons, childrens pythons, giant cave ghettos, ghost bats, magnificent tree frogs, spotted nightjars, short beaked echidnas, tawny frogmouths, knob tailed geckos, rick ringtail possums, black flying fox, sugar gliders, bush thick knees, death adder, olive pythons and long haired rats. 
Walking 450m to the Flight Deck, we were presented with talks and shows of different raptors and other birds: Black Breasted Buzzard which were finding rocks to crack open the emu eggs, Red Lorikeet feeding on fruit, Barn Owl, Bush Thick Knee, Jabiru, Brahminy Kite, Osprey Kite and the Rufus Owl; some of which we've seen up close. Walking to the Goose Lagoon (Nardukul), and enjoying some bird-watching, we walked passed Oolloo Sandbar (Pulalowi) and went straight to the Dingoes (Kenuh-Mudtjing). 13:10 we went back to the Oolloo Sandbar for a talkshow. Learning about (and also got to see them being fed) the Freshwater Whipray, Common Archer Fish, huge Barramundi and Tarpon Fish. Finishing at 14:00, we quickly walked to the Aquarium (Kobuh Pombah) where we saw these fish being fed, along with a saw-fish and Pignosed Turtles in a walk-in aquarium. Seeing also many different types of corals and fish, crabs, shrimps, crocs and information panels, we walked out around 14:50, passed a tribute to around 200 Giant Clams who were harvested illegally for meat and shells, and onto the Monsoon Forest (Kurrdem Grarbu). Seeing, feeling and hearing a replica of a day in the wet season with lightings and water, we passed through many bird displays and aviary, then at 16:00 caught the shuttle train back to the Main Station, and out by 16:30. 
Hungry! Having eaten nothing (apart from a packet sweets $2 from a vending machine at the park), we drove to Coolalinga Woolworths, then fuelled up and drove to Nightcliff Jetty. Making Fussilli in Creamy Bacon with Chicken and Pesto, we enjoyed a nice talk with Steve (a guy from South Australia) currently travelling, then at 20:00 after kindly giving us some Mangos, decided to go to Maccas at Ludmila. Three Sour Grape Slush later, at 22:50 headed to Casuarina Conservation Park to sleep for the night and hopefully start our way out of Crocodile Land tomorrow.

Statistics for the Chapter

(per person)

Nights/ Accomodation   $0
Vehicles/ Servicing          $55.58
Petrol                                  $331.84
Others/Food                      $188.28

               Income    $0

Per Day Per Person
      as at 17/10/2015      
   249days

(no income calculated)       $49.09

(income calculated)             $23.12

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