Day 34 - Bitter Springs to Katherine - 110kms
Last night I went to the restaurant a couple of kilometres away. Had the barramundi with all you could eat salad and veggies, which was pretty yummy. Perfect for a hungry cyclist.
During the night I heard something outside my tent. When I checked there was a wallaby getting comfortable for the night. I tried to move him along but he wouldn't budge! So I let him stay. This morning, as usual, I was away by 6.30am. Just over a week now until I'm in Darwin. I was getting a nice tailwind, and by 10am I was at Cutta Cutta Caves. I just made it in time for the tour. The caves are quite small but nice. The people working there were really kind offering me cold water for my ride to Katherine. I took some cold water and pedalled on to Katherine, which was just another 30kms away. About 10km out of town there is a bike track which was a nice way to come into town. My first big town since Cairns. I'm staying at Coco Backpackers which are bicycle friendly with camping for $11 for the night. It's a friendly, laid back type of place. I ventured across to Woolworths to replenish my supplies for the last week. Tomorrow I'm heading to Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). |
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Day 35 - Katherine to Nitmiluk National Park - 30kms
I really enjoyed my stay at Coco's. Such a friendly and laid back sort of place. You could easily spend a few days just chilling there.
I was out nice and early (around 6.30am). As I wanted to get to the gorge nice and early. Plan worked, I was there by 8am. I have booked in to stay two nights. So tomorrow will be my last rest day before the trip is over next week. I found that they had a buffet breakfast. So I thought, why not. I was absolutely stuffed by the end. After breakfast I went for my morning walk to some of the lookouts. It was already 9.30am and I didn't want to go too far with it getting hot soon. I walked up to Pat's lookout and then across to Jedda's Rock lookout. Both spots had great views up and down the gorge. I decided to do a loop back to the campsite. It was getting warm on the rocks. The park people have been really good at putting tanks of water along the trail so you can refill and cool down frequently. All up the walk took about 3 hours. I stopped at the cafe to have some lunch. After lunch I certainly didn't want to do much else. So I chilled out in the pool. Tomorrow I'll be getting a canoe in the afternoon and having a paddle up a couple of the gorges. |
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Day 36 - Nitmiluk National Park
It was nice to have a restful morning today. I went back to the all you can eat breakfast and chilled around the pool. At about 12pm I went down to the river to get my canoe.
First the motor boat took us up to the second gorge. This is where you start paddling. The walls to the gorge were shear on each side. It was really impressive. I also got to have a swim before continuing on to gorge number three. This gorge felt a little narrower compared to the others.
It was a great way to spend the afternoon and for a change the arms got a work out. Tomorrow I'm heading to Edith Falls.
First the motor boat took us up to the second gorge. This is where you start paddling. The walls to the gorge were shear on each side. It was really impressive. I also got to have a swim before continuing on to gorge number three. This gorge felt a little narrower compared to the others.
It was a great way to spend the afternoon and for a change the arms got a work out. Tomorrow I'm heading to Edith Falls.