Fri, 3rd June, 2022 Bush camp by George Creek (Robin Falls), south of Adelaide River to Vince Connolly Crossing Rest Area, west of Katherine, NT (Katherine Hot Springs)

Nice sleep in. Just the sound of the babbling brook and the morning bird chorus - no traffic or planes.

Back to the Stuart Highway and continued south. Got a text from Gary and Cheryl - their camper trailer brakes are all good so they are ready to hit the road too. I got a call from someone saying they were from the NT Government regarding my letter about transport issues but it was Rod from the van park. He certainly had me going since I had sent off my letter to the NT member and the Federal Transport Minister. Anyway Rod was ringing to fill Steve in on what they found with his electrical problems in his car. They are all good to go too. Hope the other people with broken cars etc in the park get their problems solved soon too.

Blue sky and puffy white clouds as we continued south to Katherine. Parked near the Info Centre - caravans, campers everywhere. So different to when we were here at the end of March.

We had lunch then Steve went into the Info Centre to check on the national parks etc while I uploaded my blog etc. Steve brought me back some info. “The town site of Katherine, originally an 1870 settlement on the south bank of the river for which it was named (the present Knott’s Crossing) moved 3km downstream to the north bank. This location was named Emungalan (the indigenous name for ‘place of stone’) and a railhead for the North Australian Railway operated here from 1917 to 1926. This township quickly grew to 200 people, 90% of whom were male! The construction of the high-level railway bridge in 1926 established he final location of Katherine town, back on the south bank. Very little remains of Emungalan other than a small cemetery and a few building relics. This final settlement included a new railway station, and the town became an important transportation link. The Great Depression era followed, bringing many challenges, which continued through until WW2. Katherine was the southern most point of bombing by Japanese aircraft, resulting in the largest bomb crater in Australia.” No mention of where that is?

Back up the highway to the turn off onto the Victoria Highway to head west. First we stopped in for a dip at Katherine Hot Springs. They were closed when we were here due to the high water levels.

We followed the pathway down the high bank to a formed pool area. Crossed the little bridge that people were floating down the creek and then under the bridge.

We followed the boardwalk up to where the water bubbles out of the rocks. Beautiful and clear. A burst of bubbles came up while I was there.

A chap was climbing into where the water comes up from and I spotted some fish in there. He said some girls had dived down into the hole and they said there were some bigger fish hiding inside.

Time for a selfie to celebrate being back on the road again then into the water.

Not hot, just luke warm but very nice to float around in. There were other spots where the water bubbled up around us too. It was mossy on the rocks around the side but the sand was clean though we had our noodles to float on.

Chatted with a couple from New Norfolk in Tassie who had come over for the Man From Snowy River Festival which I want to go to one year. They said it was great except for the rain! Another couple were from Vic but he was originally from Launceston and apparently there is a rivalry between the north and south of Tassie - just like we have with Cairns and Townsville. It was funny listening to the banter. We floated, chatting them for over an hour till we all had prune hands. A few more couples arrived so we got out and walked back feeling very refreshed.

You can float down from here to the other pool - will do that next time when we return.

I checked out the other pool areas were people were enjoying the spring water as it flows down into the Katherine River.

Climbed back up to the camper for a cuppa. Reading the info booklet it says the water temperature averages 25-30 degrees and called thermal waters. I remember at Douglas Hot Springs there were different pools and the water got hotter in each one. When we got back in the truck I had missed a call from the Public Trustee. Rang back and Bianca filled me in on what has been happening with Mum and Dad’s estate. 

I also got an email back from the NT member saying their received my letter, acknowledging the NT has had transport issues post Covid and good luck with our travels. Well so much for that.

Back to the highway then down to the low level crossing over the Katherine River. Lovely spot with a nice grassy picnic area up higher on the bank. This bridge was built during WW2 over the concrete weir below.

We parked then walked back up to take some photos.

An older couple were sitting at the picnic table and commented about the ducks. Apparently they mate for life - just like us he said. How nice.

Followed a road along the river to the Springvale Homestead. Checked out the small grave area first.

I googled up some information. Tom Ronan was a novelist and had owned the homestead at one stage. The homestead was built in 1879 and is the oldest standing homestead in NT and is heritage listed. Another chap has owned it from 1975 and it was run as a tourist resort till 2014 when problems with the flood zoning, septic improvements and government red caused its closure so it is now falling into disrepair. Big boab too.

Back across the river - looking upstream from the bridge. It flows into the Daly River then out to sea. It drops 384m over its total length of 328kms.

Back to the Victoria Highway and continued westward. Checked out the first rest area but it was small and there was a lot of rubbish about. Crossed over the King River then further along and over Limestone Creek. Turned off into a bigger rest area where another 5 vans/campers were parked up. Plenty of room. Chose our spot and set up then out with the chairs and our drinks as the sun started setting through the trees. Lots of ‘happy family’ birds jumping about in the grass.

A few trucks zoomed by but otherwise it is fairly quiet.