There are two major accomodation hubs in the Nitmiluk NP a small campground at Edith Falls and camping , cabins and 5 star lodges at Katherine Gorge.
Edith Falls campground sits beside a big lagoon at the bottom of a series of waterfalls where the Edith River cascades downward off the Arnham Land Plateau.
The Upper Falls swimming hole is at the top of the escarpment
But the Edith River has more treasures further up stream.
An appropriate 2km walk along the top of the Plateau is the Long Pool.
A perfect place for a natural spa
A further 2km along the trail is Sweet water
A lovely swimming hole it is also the final camping spot on the Jarbulla trail.
You can also walk up from Edith Falls campground and camp overnight at Sweetwater.
The swimming whole that will stick in my mind though is the Long Pool
There are no reservations at the Edith Falls campground so it’s best to get there early as the sites go quickly.
The kiosk is really friendly for checking in and healthy snacks
If you don’t want to hike to swim the main swimming hole.
Which at sunset turns an amazing shade of red at sunset.
Sitting comfortably in Fannie Bay, Darwin, its time to recap on the wild ride across the remote country just south of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Not far along the road from Normanton to Burketown is the Burke and Wills Monument.
The trees at the camp were scarred as proof of the camp.
The last camp of explorers who perished in an attempt to explore this harsh land.
There were in the exploration party. Only one survived because he was found and saved by local aborigines.
The monument to this day is a warning to respect this land.
Travelling west along this section of the Savannah Way land is dry and dusty and the rivers, torrents in the wet season are just strings of waterholes that as summer progresses will disappear.
This can be seen clearly at Leichhardt Falls.
Where I stood on the dry rocks over which only a few month ago water roared and photographed the waterhole no longer flowing and turning green as it stagnates.
Arriving Burketown I’m again reminded that water in the desert comes from the ground as well as the sky.
Water has been bubbling out of the mound spring in Burketown at a temperature of 68c since before history.
The hot water and the minerals it carries from deep in the earth painting the mound and surrounding landscape.
The old post office is now the tourist office. Unfortunately, there were no places left to do the balloon ride over the desert so I had to settle for the sunset river cruise.
Gregory Downs is little more that a hotel
And a small shack that sells dry good, some locally grown vegetables and …
Espresso coffee and home made apple and cinnamon muffins!!!
What an oasis!
As was finding the Gregory River. A spring fed watercourse in the desert and my first introduction to the spring fed rivers of North West Queensland.
