Tues, 5th April, 2022 Boat ramp by Finniss River lagoon, near Bynoe to Stingray Head, south of Dundee Beach, NT (My 1st NT barra, exploring Dundee Beach)

So many birds to listen too but it is very peaceful too. No crocs about.

Three people arrived early and headed out in their tinny. We had breakfast then flicked our lures again. I had a couple of strikes then I got a little one - so cute and my first NT Barra.

Now to find a bigger one. Set him free to grow up after I got a photo - bit dirty as he was jumping around in the leaves while I was trying to get the hook out.

No more interest so we packed up. Lots of wallabies enjoying the green grass between the mango trees this morning. 

Back to Fogg Bay Road (Fogg Bay is on the other side of the river according to the Hema). Continued west then found another road to a boat ramp but this time to the north. This area of water is one of the fingers coming in from the Timor Sea - Mackenzie Arm - part of Bynoe Harbour.

Lots of acreage blocks around. 

Back to the main road. Next road is Barramundi Road and that leads to another boat ramp further around from the other one.

Continued on through more rural properties. Past the turn off for the dirt track to Stingray Head and onto Namarada Road and past another boat ramp road. The road split so we continued north to Native Point where the Dundee Lodge and Van Park is located with another boat ramp and heaps of cars and boat trailers. Everyone must be out fishing as the sea is calm.

We parked with an ocean view of the Timor Sea.

Walked to Native Point and climbed up onto the red rock - coats your hand in red when you touch it. Slowly eroding under the tree so you get a good view of the root system. Looking back to the boat ramp then north from the point.

The shells are layered in this rock.

Back to the camper for a cuppa enjoying the lovely view.

As we headed out we realised this was the picnic area - very tropical.

Saw our neighbours from Florence Falls and gave them a wave. They are hanging around waiting for Kakadu to open up etc.

Followed a dirt road around through more rural house blocks - some have green grass etc, others left with natural scrub. Must be a lot of holiday homes.

No phone service here though it says there is so must be Optus.

Back to the turn off into the actual Dundee Beach. Onto a dirt road and through some water which is still coming across the road from the bush from recent storms.

Found a picnic area with sea views. Zoomed in on Native Point in the distance.

Beside it was the War Memorial.

More rural blocks here - all with fences. Some are holiday rentals. 

Onto a track into the Finniss River Station running along the fence line which is one of two ways to Stingray Head but we reached a hard left turn onto a sandy track so Steve got out and checked it out. Too soft and the track narrows so no good for us so we turned around.

Back out and down to the other dirt road which is the Fogg Bay Road. Also in the Station and running along the fence line of the rural properties. Narrow track but ok till we came to black soil area where there were a few pools of water. Steve got out and walked each one to check the bottom and they were rocky so we continued on. All good then through the grass and out onto the cliff top. About a 20 foot drop down.

We reversed up and went the other way where it was more open. Chose a spot where the grass was a bit clearer and set up on Stingray Head with a lovely view of the Timor Sea. Nice breeze blowing. Put up the shade cloth as there is no trees for shade here.

The tide is out. We spotted some dolphins rounding up some fish for the small ones in closer to shore. One zoomed chasing the fish to the other ones.

Ate lunch outside watching the dolphins and a lonely pelican trying to get his lunch. They have big tides here - 1m to 7m.

A few drops of rain fell. I thought it was the big black cloud overhead but it was coming from a grey wall coming at us from the south. Nice and cool.

Two ladies in separate 4WDs drove up and down onto the beach then back to park along from us. 

Steve dug out beach shoes (first time used), the cast net and bucket and we headed down to the beach to try and get some bait.

Chatted to the ladies on the way. They are part of ‘Yeah the Girls’ which is 4WD club for ladies. Good on them to be that capable to be able to cope with everything alone. We chatted about different places to stay and tracks to go on. They saw some big mud crabs in the creek where we were headed when they went down there before and a big croc down the other end of the beach on the way to the Finniss River mouth. We won’t be going down there as there is a creek crossing that is quite soft. 

Another couple pulled up and had grey feet and legs when they got out. They got a bit stuck in the creek so we will definitely not be going there.

Walked down to the water - had to be careful as some areas was just the grey mud under the sand. We got a couple of little fish then one mullet. The next cast got a bigger mullet. I am on croc-watch while Steve throws the cast net. The next cast had 3 big cat-fish and heaps of little baby ones. Steve not happy as their spines get stuck in the net and you have to be so careful not to get spiked as it is very painful - he knows from experience.

Sky looks amazing above our camp.

Gave up and walked to the creek for a look. Couldn’t find any live crabs but found this huge claw on the bank.

Went back to camp with our bit of bait. Black storm clouds are rumbling to the east.

On the way back I noticed the ladies using their phones and asked if they were with Optus - no Telstra - Boost actually so I should be getting a signal. Nothing so I turned if off and back on and got 4G signal - go figure. Got a message from Jon saying he had completed all the tickets for fork lift etc and is doing the truck driving lessons and test soon. He is playing a change of occupation in the future as he needs a change.

The storm continued south with very loud thunder rumbling for ages.

The tide is rolling in. Another storm to the east is starting to rumble now.

5.30 the tide is rising as the sun descends.

6.30 we sat outside to eat our dinner and watched the sun set with the tide crashing into a cave below us.

Won’t be long and we will be out in that sea heading across the top of WA exploring the Kimberleys from the sea. Hopefully it will be calm like today and we can enjoy heaps of lovely sunsets.

A big cloud to the east looks amazing with the sunset colours on it.

The big ball disappears into the water.

Still hearing thunder then as it darkened that big white cloud behind the camper lit up with lightning strikes behind and through it. Turned our chairs around and enjoyed Nature’s fireworks display. It was so amazing I hardly had time to look for any satellites. We did spot one once the lightning lessened.

Lovely sound of the waves to lull us to sleep with tonight.