Trip to Top End
Submitted: Friday, Oct 03, 2003 at 17:51
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Bob Y. - Qld
Hello Folks,
Returned last night, from a trip to Kakadu/
Darwin, while youngest daughter is
home from school. Had 3 days at Cooinda, where 2nd daughter works, and saw as much as we could in the short time we were there. Highlight was a hour or so on Yellow Waters, in a tinny, checking out the lizards and birdlife. Lots more to see next time.
Had 2 nights in
Darwin, where we did the Mingel Beach markets, and also fish & chips at Stokes
Hill wharf. Can recommend the Aviation Museum to any other Walter Mitty's out there!
Tojo 80 series '97 turbo performed
well, with only a blown headlight globe,and 2 blown driving light globes. Economy was good considering average speeds between 110-120kph, and head winds. Best was: 12.3L/100, Worst: 14.98L/100, and average over 5315 kms, was 13.59l/100. Longest day was
Daly Waters to the Isa: 1015 kms.
Used the old Jim Jim road on way to
Darwin, it was excellent, and suitable for 2WD as
well. Only thing we'll change next time will be the quality of mattresses, and maybe leave a bit of gear at
home.
Saw 3 accidents while away, all on dead straight sections. Keeps you on the alert, when you're not asleep, that is.
Hooroo...
Reply By: Member - Bob - Saturday, Oct 04, 2003 at 06:38
Saturday, Oct 04, 2003 at 06:38
Bob
Yellow waters - they wouldn't have been the big lizards would they? It's a pretty special place isn't it? Pity about the cane toads arriving.Bob
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Phil [Sunshine Coast] - Saturday, Oct 04, 2003 at 06:52
Saturday, Oct 04, 2003 at 06:52
Hi Bob,
We ret. 3 wks ago from the same trip,it was a great exp. The most enjoyable stay was at Perrys on the
Daly river , went to
Shady camp also,it would be a maaagic place early in the dry! We will do the trip again, this time as soon as poss. after the 'wet'[ less dust more grass & more fish]
Seeya Phil
AnswerID:
32745
Follow Up By: Lyds - Monday, Oct 06, 2003 at 23:10
Monday, Oct 06, 2003 at 23:10
We were going to stay at
Shady Camp but heard it was only good for fishing and had lots of flies (ie more than usual). So we went straight through to
Darwin. What was it like?Cheers,
Stuart
- To err is human, to moo bovine -
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Tuesday, Oct 07, 2003 at 13:10
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2003 at 13:10
We lived in
Darwin back in 98/99. Had great fun exploring the Top End but never camped at
Shady Camp. Heard from a local it was a top barra spot with good camping but when we went to
check it out, a croc wandered across the
camp ground right in front of the car. Needless to say, we decided then and there that this wasn't a camping spot for us, LOL!
:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper
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Reply By: Cobra - Monday, Oct 06, 2003 at 00:49
Monday, Oct 06, 2003 at 00:49
We just got back on the 27th from
Darwin. Absolutely brilliant.
Litchfield and
Kakadu plus the yellow waters cruise. Just stayed the one night at Gagadju (friends are temp staff). Mingel Beach is definately a MUST do (Thursday night is best), Stokes Wharf is also good. Enjoyed it so much, we are heading back next year
AnswerID:
32853
Follow Up By: Member - Phil [Sunshine Coast] - Tuesday, Oct 07, 2003 at 17:06
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2003 at 17:06
Hi Lyds,
Stayed 2 nights at
Shady camp,very lge area but very dry! The lizard count was unreal... in the 'fresh' side of the barrage I went fishin twice,& each time I saw about 50+ of the buggers, on the banks or in the water, & at that time of the dry the river was down to about 6 acres in area, & thats only the ones I saw!!
But it would be a great place at the end of the wet, the same with
Litchfield &
kakadu so we will make sure thats when we go back!
Mindel markets were great, we were there the night the cops raided it & caught heaps of people working there that were on the dole .
Hopeing to get back to the Top End in May o5, might see ya there
Phil
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