Katherine Gorge to Darwin - Night 136

We awoke early again, though this time to a cool breeze. A small storm had dropped some rain overnight and brought the temperature down to near a comfortable level. After the short drive to the Katherine Gorge

Swimming with the Crocs

National Park we began our three hour hike. About half of the group opted for the $40 boat ride, choosing not to sweat it out on the trail. The walk was very easy, though in the heat most of the unfit in our group were falling behind and complaining quite a bit. Much of the trail offered nothing in the way of views and overall was somewhat of a disappointment. The side track down into the Southern Pool, complete with waterfall and swimming hole, made the trek worthwhile. The cool, cascading water and the slight threat of crocodiles added to the excitement of the swim. On the walk back it began to rain, the perfect way to cool down after the hike.

The Katherine Gorge

Back to the camp for our final group meal, basically a smorgasbord of whatever food was leftover in the coolers. Now we had just three hours left on the road to Darwin. We made our final pit stop in Adelaide River, home to the Adelaide River Pub. The most famous resident of this small town is a stuffed

Charlie the Water Buffalo (of Crocodile Dundee fame)

water buffalo. Not just any stuffed buffalo, this is Charlie, the water buffalo from the Crocodile Dundee movies. Though touching him is strictly prohibited, I managed a quick graze while the bar staff wasn’t paying attention.

Finally we hit Darwin a bit after 5pm. Since leaving Adelaide 12 days ago I’ve put on over 4,600 kms (2,760 miles) in the back of an Adventure Tours bus. It was a relief to step off the bus for one last time. The tours in general were very good, though the group in this last trip wasn’t half as much fun as the group from Adelaide to Alice Springs.

What I Learned Today: Tour groups, like life, are a bit of a crapshoot…you just never know what you are going to get, which is a shame, because the people make all the difference. I could have fun in a strip mall in Indiana with the right people.

written by

exumenius on February 23, 2008 from Darwin, Australia

from the travel blog: Kiwis and Kangaroos

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