May 27-28 Katherine

After arriving at Katherine, we decided to stay at a caravan park for 2 nights so that we could get around and see the sights without having to tow the van. We checked into one of the dog-friendly parks - Springvale. It is at the site of an old homestead, the home of the original pioneers of Katherine. It has a fresh water spring flowing into the park and into a swimming pool and into a lagoon. The park has its own resident crocodile called Elvis. However, we were a bit disappointed with the facilities and the "crowds" of other campers and this reconfirmed to us how we much prefer to free camp in secluded areas.

The old Springvale Homestead

Jude and dogs walking in the parkland of the caravan park

Kangaroos coming out at dusk at the caravan park.



They were obviously intrigued when they saw me



Elvis, the resident crocodile at Springvale caravan park

Here's one reason why we didn't want to stay any longer

Katherine also has natural hot springs, so we checked them out (twice). The springs themselves are great. The amenities nearby were disappointing again - dirty toilets, broken showers and picnic area littered with beer cans.

We went out to the neighboring national park to see the Katherine Gorge. A bit tricky again with the dogs that had to be left in the car. I did a quick walk up to a lookout while Jude minded the dogs. Not ideal, but it works. The walk and the gorge were pretty impressive and apparently there is a lot more to see and do in the park if one has the time. Another thing for our next visit.

Robert at the lookout over Katherine Gorge

View of Katherine River through the gorge

First live snake that we've seen on our trip so far. This one was spotted in the Katherine national park.
I think its a deadly tree snake but what would I know.

Our original plan was to set off to Darwin. However, Katherine is the turning point to the west and during our stay we decided that we would head across to the west towards Broome. We will come back to Katherine and then on to Darwin before heading east across to Cairns. Being winter, this is the best time of year to spend in tropical northern Australia.  (Please note that any of our plans are subject to change at any time and without notice...)

So we left Katherine on the Victoria highway heading for Western Australia.