Friday, July 10, 2009

Katherine NT

The Boat in the gorge

I really must say that in my opinion the Katherine Gorge is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful!!!!! We arrived in Katherine yesterday at about midday. After settling into the park we partook in Happy Hour with the Bush Poet, followed by a meal at the Park Bistro accompanied by a singer and musician. The Park is very nice lots of shady trees and facilities. Today we were up at sparrow ##** namely the unearthly hour of 5am. We drove out the gorge ready for a breakfast tour of Nitmiluk Gorge via boat. The Katherine Gorge is 29km from Katherine and consists of 13 natural gorges carved through sandstone by the Katherine River, with rocks and boulders separating each gorge.

It was pitch black and freezing when we arrived there. However it didn't take long for the sun to come out and play and we feasted on the lovely view which were awakening also. A delightful mist appeared above the water and we were surrounded on both sides by spectacular gorges.

We crossed over rocks to complete the second part of our tour and in passing were delighted to see up close aborigine paintings.

Some of the paintings

Apparently one of the early explorers Stuart had three daughters, Katherine, Edith and Flora. Various landmarks are named after them. We visited Edith Falls in the afternnon and that consisted of a lovely waterhole suitable for swimming. It was also very beautiful.

Edith Falls a great place for a swim

Tomorrow we will spend some time in the Hot Springs. Sunday will see us on the move again.

Talk again soon

2 comments:

Lurline said...

Jan and Bill, I am so happy you are seeing this great part of the NT - we had seen the Grand Canyon before we saw the Gorge and I still thought it was absolutely breathtaking. Try to see Cutta Cutta caves - wonderful, but then I love caves!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Julia said...

Wow Jan..what a place!
it's just so beautiful and breathtaking..
You sure are seeing some great places, I would love to see one day!
hugs Julia ♥