Across the Territory

Photos
After meeting up with Gavin, Andrew and Tony in Darwin, we sorted out the car (a fairly new, but basic 4WD) and supplies (including the cheapest esky we could find).
Our trip began with a side trip to Litchfield NP, to view the north/south aligned termite mounds (as seen on David Attenborough), and a dip in the rapids (plus a short walk). It was the first swim of many.
Our first night camping was at Nitimuk (Katherine Gorge) NP, amongst the Agile wallabies, in a fairly popular campsite (it was peak Grey Nomad season). The following night felt much more remote, camped on the sand beside the water far from any proper campsites. We had walked about 15km to this spot, via Butterfly Gorge for lunch (and a swim), before heading back up to the top of the gorge, then down again to our campsite (and more swims). This was a spectacular campsite, and it was all ours.

One of many swimming holes

We returned to the visitor centre the next day, then headed out for a kayak with the masses. Fortunately, not many of the masses saw the Fresh Water Crocodile that Tony initially eyed (including a disbelieving Andrew and Gavin). I thought it may have been a plastic model, until it opened its mouth and hissed at us. At least it stayed there when when went swimming, just a little way upstream.
After Katherine, we headed towards Kununurra, stopping for a short walk in Gregory NP, before deciding to stop in Keep River NP, just shy of the WA border.
Keep River was a gem of a park - it had old sandstone mountains, which glowed vividly in the sunset. A short talk from the ranger filled us in on much of the management of the park (which is done in conjuction with the local Aboriginals), and the next day we visited a fantastic rock art gallery, and went for a short walk along the river, before continuing westward.

Relaxing at Keep River NP