Katherine to Jabiru

 As we packed up this morning a fellow guest at the motel who was walking her dog said hi. Karen originally from South Africa asked about our trip and asked for a pic. Karen was on her way home from a stint teaching in the far north of Arnheim land and had loved the experience. It was nice to swap stories, we just wished we’d met earlier and heard more.   

Another great day that began with an early start and 90km under our belts we rolled into Pine Creek. An ex mining town but now just a little pitstop on the way to somewhere. We followed a sign that said “mine lookout”, we twisted up a steep little hill and a lovely lookout over the surrounding countryside. 

One very noticeable change this morning is the haze in the air and a smell of smoke. Robyn checked the NT information website and it showed several fires in our area and also where we were headed.

It is Sunday morning and breakfast was lean but we found a shop with fresh sandwiches and shared a container of fresh fruit. 

Next we turned off the main highway towards our destination for the next 3 nights, Jabiru.

We soon came across the evidence of the fires with blackened surroundings and some trees still smouldering. Just a normal and natural phenomenon in these parts. 

We then turned off on a gravel track to a waterfall/ swimming hole we had heard of called Maguk falls. 

This was a 10km road and then about a couple of km walk. 

The road proved challenging with much corrugation and some soft sand patches to really test me. 

We stripped off our gear and donned our shorts and jandals (thongs) and set off. Many signs warned us about entering the waterways due to the danger from crocs.

After about 1/2 an hour we came to a series of pools with people swimming and we thought this must be it, but they said we must go on and it will be worth it.

And boy were they right.  I have read about and seen pictures of places like this but it just took my breath away. Absolutely stunning. We were soon swimming in this magnicant water hole and I couldn’t resist swimming into the waterfall. Amazing.

We then started back to the bike and at one point I stopped to talk to some people and slipped in my jandals. Lost a bit of bark on one foot and a shin.

We were also passed on the walk out by a young couple who were obviously more agile than us and we let them pass . They were friendly enough and they raced on ahead. When we got to the carpark they were sitting in their car and the look on their faces was priceless when they saw us heading to the motorbike  

All I saw of them was their phones as they took our picture through the window. I’d love to know where they sent the pics and what their comments were. 

The road out proved harder than the road in even though it was a reverse trip. At one point we found ourselves in a decent patch of sand and there was some serious tank slapping going on, but the bike is good and we managed to get through without mishap.

We then hit the road for 100km to Jabiru and the temperature hit 38. We stopped for a drink and an ice cream and then visited an Aboriginal cultural display which was very well presented and super interesting. It also helped that the building was air conditioned!

Out accommodation is a nice little cabin with a/c and a fan, pool and restaurant so it will do us for the next 3 nights.