Standard Broome?

Slept fitfully in beach parking lot last night, woke up in time for a early morning run along the very foggy beach. Had a quick swim though the water was pretty cold in the morning. Then we ran some errands, and decided to check into caravan park. There we enjoyed the pool as a nice break from breaking waves. As we were drying off from an afternoon swim, we noticed that the lifeguards were getting everyone out of the water. Not sure what the matter was, we figured there were probably stinging jellyfish or crocs in the water. Tried to go to the renown Matso's Brewery after our dinner, but it was packed with people eating and there's no designated bar area. Disappointing as I was looking forward to something other than the usual Aussie lagers. After a quick drink at the Divers Tavern near the caravan park instead, we went home to enjoy a bottle of bubbly for no occasion at all.

Broome!

Arrived in Broome midday, went for a quick swim at Cable Beach. This beach is the main beach in town, but actually about a 5km drive away from the downtown area. It is really beautiful though; white sand, clear turquoise water of the Indian Ocean. This was the first time either of us had been in the Indian! After our swim, we drove back to town and walked around the main shopping area, Chinatown. It was the site of the initial settlement of Chinese and Japanese pearl divers. Also checked out the historic Japanese graveyard of divers, most of whom died of the bends before diving techniques were improved. Sufficiently caffeinated we drove around town a bit trying to find an area where we could sleep for free. Unable to find anything we went back to the beach to watch the picturesque sunset. Ended up staying in the beach parking lot for lack of a better option.

Southern Kimberly

After a brief stop at the natural China Wall of quartz outside the town of Halls Creek, we went through Fitzroy Crossing to Geikie Gorge. As the only 2WD accessible part of the Kimberly, we expected it to be pretty cool. The Kimberly is the general name for the area of northeast Western Australia, renown for its environmental beauty. While the gorge might have been better seen from a boat, the only walking trail was hot and sandy and didn't provide great views of the gorge. We made the most trying to figure out where the crocodiles were that could come and eat us. Stopped at another rest stop for the night.

On the road into WA

Last night we camped in the northern most corner of Gregory National Park, near the town of Timber Creek. The campsite was right along the Victoria River, famous for its abundance of crocodiles, both fresh water and salt. We went to look at it this morning and noticed many places where they could have crawled out of the water towards our site. Luckily we discovered all this on our way out of town, so to speak.

After a brief stop at the Gregory Tree, a large boab inscribed with the dates an explorer named Gregory set up camp at the site, we were on our way west towards the border. Upon entering Western Australia, we had to stop at a manned quarantine check point and show the nice officers that we had no fruit or veggies in the car. They are also very concerned with people accidentially spreading cane toads into WA, so I understand the formality of it all, it just seemed a bit strange when there are no other people or buildings around for hundreds of kilometers.

Once in WA we stopped in Kununurra to fill up on gas before deciding to take a small detour up to Wyndham because the guidebooks told us there was a crocodile farm there and we still haven't seen any crocs. After driving about 60km to the town, which turned out to be quite run-down and depressing, we finally found the croc farm. Unfortunately, the woman working there was closing up early for the day, at noon when they were supposed to be open until one. Even this came as a shock as the books also told us it was open until 4 during the dry season. However, after a look at the place (also run-down and depressing like the town) we figured that no one probably goes there and they can close up whenever they feel like. At least there was a 20 meter plaster croc in town. An unfortunate detour, but we should get a chance to see some crocs in Broome. Camped at a reststop tonight, but its nice enough. Its intended as an overnight stop becuase there aren't really any caravan parks or anything along this section of the road.

Katherine Gorge

Last night was full of activity.  Wallabies surrounded our car all night, chomping away very loudly on brittle grass and leaves.  Headed out to see the Katherine Gorge via a hike and some lookouts.  At the first lookout and the closest we were a bit disappointed.  Could not see very far down the gorge and what we did see was not all that impressive.  We continued on about 4 km further at Pats Lookout, where we were rewarded with a grand view of the gorge.  Unfortunately that was the extent of our exploration of the area.  Katherine Gorge is definitely a place to view by the water as the tracks that let you see even the second and third gorge are easily two day hikes.

still in Litchfield

Woke up and went for a dip at the pool below Wangi Falls. The water was not nearly as clear as the pools yesterday and the bottom was muddy in places, making it look like prime crocodile territory. Though it is highly unlikely there were actually saltwater crocs (the dangerous ones) there during the dry season, it is quite probable freshwater ones were swimming around us. The mangroves surrounding the pool looked like particularly nice habitat.

On our way out of the park we stopped to check out the magnetic termite mounds. These fin-like structures are built by the termites along a north-south axis in order to use the sun's energy to most effectively heat and cool them. They build them above ground instead of living underground because it floods during the wet season. Some of the normal anthills are enormous, too!

From Litchfield we drove down to Katherine, famous for its Gorge of the same name. For lack of a better option, we decided to camp at the resort just below the first of thirteen gorges. We'll see how much we can see tomorrow!

Litchfield National Park

We left Darwin and after some quick pit-stops and headed for Litchfield National Park. Though Kakadu is more popular, we heard from a number of backpackers that Litchfield is just as good and easier to get around without a 4WD. Upon entering the park we first stopped at Buley Rockhole, a number of cascading step pools. Some were deep enough to jump off of the rocks into, so we spent a bit of time exploring here before heading further down the road to Florence Falls. After a quick view from above, we headed down to the pool below and enjoyed some nice swimming. The water was nice and cold on a hot day and we were assured there were no crocodiles inhabiting the pool.

We decided to camp for the night at Wangi Falls, on the western edge of the park, and got there just in time to grab one of the last campsites. Had a nice night though the wallabies kept us awake a bit jumping around everywhere.