Limmen National Park & our first CROC....

Hello there,

Well it has been a while between blog entries but what can I say….. We are in the NT and most definitely on NT time. The NT winter is really hard to take, thus far every day has been blue skies and between 28-35 degrees. That is winter!

 The map below details our route and current place of enjoyment……Kakadu. We have travelled from King Ash Bay up into the Limmen National Park, across to Elsey National park and the delights of Bitter Springs. Into Katherine and then on to Edith Falls.

Limmen National Park was quite an adventure, a place which would be impossible in the wet and did involve a few “deepish” water crossings. We found the lost city, travelled towards bush fires and stayed three nights at Butterfly Springs, a beautiful water hole which was safe from the “snapping handbags” to quote the local terminology. As I mentioned at one stage we were travelling towards smoke which was slightly disconcerting at the time. Whilst camping at Butterfly falls I saw an NT Government fire ranger heading into camp and just had to go over for a yarn. I met Adam who was killing time waiting for a helicopter to start dropping  ( actually firing!) delayed fire capsules for burning large sections of bush. Over coffee I learnt a great deal from Adam who also invited us to drop in and camp at his father in laws place on his property outside Kathrine.  Adam originally from Victoria has an amazing job working with Aboriginal owners and station owners planning and strategically controlling the fuel loads in the NT. We were lucky enough to have a tour of their office in Kathrine where we saw the satellite computer monitoring of fires lit and burning to croc catching in the Territory. Adam spends a great deal of time flying over this beautiful country which he is still constantly blown away by after 17 years in the top end.

At the top end of Limmen we crossed the Roper Bar where we saw our first croc in the flesh from the safety of our Ute which meant we were quite close to a small 2 metre croc in the Roper River. From here we drove across to the Elsey National Park which contains the Mataranka hot springs and Bitter Springs. Here you get to swim in 32 degree water which is crystal clear. Bitter Springs was a particular family favourite where I think the pictures say it all. We spent a few days in the area and got up early one morning to enjoy spotting the timid long necked turtles which live in the water. Seeing the kids swimming chasing fish and watching turtles in crystal clear warm water is hard to take!

From Elsey I rang Adam and gave him the opportunity of not letting the Hopkins into his families’ lives but in true Territory hospitality he assured us we were welcome. We got to spend three great days in Katherine stocking up and exploring the delights of the gorge and more lovely hot springs. The most enjoyable was spending time with a lovely family. I had some great yarns with Adams father in law Bob (whitey). Bob, originally from SA has been in the Territory for 30 years and has many stories to tell including two massive floods where his house was inundated with waist deep water. Thanks to Bob, Jill, Adam, Susie, and the kids Ethan & Ashley. We really were shown some special things and hope to see Bob and Jill down our way in the future.

Thanks to Adam for sharing some of his Croc catching images. I think when you look at these pictures you can see just how big and powerful these prehistoric creatures are. They have been protected for a number of years now and because they are very territorial are moving up into more and more river systems and being “croc wise” is a smart decision. The pictures show the removal of a 4.9 metre croc from a trap to be relocated at a local croc farm for breeding purposes.

From Kathrine it was on to Edith Falls where we met up with Steve and Kate from Victoria who are both recently retired and planning never to see a winter again! We explored Edith Falls and stayed for two nights where we walked, explored and swam in “croc managed” waters. This included one walk and swim where we scared a fresh water snake up a water fall! Well it is time for me to sign off and keep enduring this terrible travelling life. The NT is working its magic on me, cheers for now, Hoppo.

See you all in Kakadu……..