Sat, 26th March, 2022 King River Rest Area, south of Katherine to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park campground, Katherine, NT (Katherine Gorge walk)

Cooler morning - 27 degrees. Sent Rebecca a message for her birthday today.

We waved another other campers as we headed out and continued north along the highway. Crossed over King River - a bit of water in it.

We pulled off to check out Cutta Cutta Caves but the gate was closed. Doesn’t open until April. I was checking a message from Shane and Doreen - change of plans, they won’t be meeting us in Darwin now. What a shame but we will see them on the road somewhere. A voice came over the UHF asking if we were ok - it was the couple from the rest area. They saw we had pulled off. How nice of them to check.

Passed the turnoff to RAAF Base Tindal. Into Katherine - I spotted a sign saying it is the birthplace of Cadel Evans, the cyclist of Tour De France fame. Around to the Info Centre but it doesn’t open until 10. We walked around to check out the big statue of a man on a horse.

It is of Sabu Sing, born 1940. He has a very interesting life story. A lot of people put money up to build this statue. I noticed one was the Underwood family from Riveren (Terry Underwood had written a book about their life on the station which I thoroughly enjoyed).

We went into Woolies and picked up some fruit and vegies. I had bought a capsicum at the IGA in Mataranka for $7.50/kg and Woolies still had them for $9 - go figure. 

Moved the camper to under a big shady tree and had a cuppa then walked over to the Info Centre. A bit of information off the information board out front about the Savannah Way.

Inside we checked out the displays and brochures. Amazing photos of the floods in Katherine. The water in 1998 would have been up to our calves in here and it is higher than the carpark. I remember hearing about the 2006 one. Great rug on the floor.

Inside was the couple from the rest area getting info from a very helpful local. We joined in as they were asking the same questions we had. Interesting note that the town areas are called East and South but East is actually in the south and Katherine South is to the west - go figure.

Mitch and Kadence are from Mackay so we chatted away in the air conditioning for a while.

We walked back to the camper with the others as they wanted to check out the camper and we chatted away for a while longer. They are heading up to Edith Falls tonight then on to Darwin before turning back and maybe heading to Cairns before going home. Handed out our first ‘business’ card. We decided to spend a night at Katherine Gorge (I prefer the old names I can pronounce) so we said goodbye. Had lunch then headed out of town with the Katherine River to our left but you can’t see it for the tall grass. The clouds are building again.

We came here 30 years ago and did the helicopter flight and river cruise so we will just do the walks this time. There is only two open at the moment any case - one to the lookout for sunset and the other to Southern Rockhole where we can have a swim and check out another lookout - Pat’s. We paid our camp fee at the Info Centre and checked out the maps on the boards. Great photo of the river in flood.

Fabulous photos of different areas too - ones that we won’t get to see.

2^nd Gorge - Biddlecombe Cascades - Smitt Rock - above 17 Mile Falls.

You can see water below the big verandah area but that is a side shoot of the river - the main river is further over.

We found a nice spot in the campground. Plenty of room - good time of the year to visit except that things are fully open yet.

Went for a dip in the swimming pool - cool but a bit too chlorinated. Chatted with a lady (from Bunbury) visiting her new grandson who live in Katherine. Obviously the locals come out and use the pool too.

Back to the camper for a cuppa. Had a visit from a little lady.

Decided to have early drinks then put on our boots for the walk up to the lookout for sunset. We checked out the river from the boat ramp and across to 17 Mile Creek.

There are plenty of maps but no signs on the paths of which way to go.

There are two ways up but one access was closed so we went along beside the river. Passed big pipes that take the river water up to the water tanks on the top of the escarpment. The track could do with a trim back.

Interesting rocks with the pebbles stuck into them.

Then the steps start.

Nice view as we keep climbing. There is a few fires burning on the other side.

More steps then we reach the first lookout area.

Another set of steps and we reach the main lookout and read the Dreamtime story of the river etc.

Great view of the river. You can see rapids downstream.

We followed the path up higher to a covered rest area. Interesting leaves on this tree.

As we were very early for sunset we continued up the track. Found some other interesting flowers and rocks.

A section has been burnt. Another interesting plant with little pods of seeds.

Still going up as we get closer to the big water tanks. The water is pumped up and chlorinated here too. We can see in the buildings with all the pipework etc.

Great view back down to the river and over the Info centre and campground. You can see the wide sandy area between the Info centre and the main river.

Walked back to the viewing platform to wait for sunset. Unfortunately the dark clouds are going to spoil our view. A few more people arrived, puffing as they reached the top so we don’t feel too bad about our fitness.

We walked back chatting with a couple and their little son who had been living in Cairns. He had done his plumbing apprenticeship with a plumber Steve knew and she had worked at Woree School and was supposed to start at Trinity Bay but their little boy arrived. They have made a big move to Katherine as he got a job working at the RAAF Base and she is going to go back to her Uni studies and enjoy being Mum to their little boy which is lovely.

The Info Centre looks nice with all the lights on.

Back to the camper to put on our togs for another swim. As we were leaving we spotted the resident ‘dingo’ - there are signs reminding people not to feed the animals.

Set the alarm for 5.30am to hit the trails before it gets too hot.