On the way to Kakadu

Laurie had a problem with one of his caravan tyres so we headed straight to Katherine to have a new set fitted. This was quick and easy so we made straight for the coffee shop while the work was being done then off to Pine Creek and the Kakadu Highway, our destination - Cooinda.

After travelling through some fantastic countryside over 5,000 kms, we are still amazed how vast and diverse this beautiful country of ours is.

Today, through bushfire burnoffs, forests of enormous termite mounds, seeing wild donkeys and horses and still more eagles, hawkes and whistling kites, we arrived at Gagudji Lodge, Cooinda.



Driving through the many burnoffs



Jude and Laurie in the Termite forest

After entering Kakadu National Park, we had been driving through 100's of kms of what appeared to be thick dry/beautiful Australian bush until we arrived at this lodge and caravan park, another lush oasis just off the main highway. Again the caravan park was almost full, we still can't believe how many people are travelling with caravans.


Entering Aboriginal Country

The lodge was amazing, it included a very large caravan park, motel accommodation and large lodge rooms for families, 2 swimming pools, an enormous outdoor (but undercover) restaurant and entertainment area with a huge outdoor screen, and of course surrounded with a variety of large palms, ferns and beautiful lush green lawns and gardens - there is no shortage of water here, in fact they had huge sprinklers going which created a haven for our friend the mosquito, they were so prolific here they could almost carry you away.



The beautiful gardens around the lodge



The Lodge

We set ourselves up, we were only staying overnight so no need to unhook the vans, and had time to look around before boarding the shuttle bus to take us to our Yellow Water Sunset Cruise on Kakadu's World Heritage Wetlands.

The shuttle dropped us at the boardwalk to the viewing platform on the Home Billabong. Here we had our first look at Yellow Water's amazing wildlife. We then boarded our boat and met our guide for the evening.


Home Billabong

An absolutely fantastic cruise on the South Alligator River. The scenery was just beautiful. We were lucky to spot a few crocodiles, one, a 4 metre beauty, even swam alongside our boat for about 10 minutes, just cruising he seemed to be just checking out tonights menu.  Another huge one was sunning himself on the banks under the mangroves, and a couple of small ones were just drifting amongst the water lily fields.



Our friendly croc swimming alongside the boat



Another one sunning himself

Crocodiles are the world's largest living reptiles. They are also one of the most ancient, unchanged for nearly 20 million years. There are more than 20 species of crocodiles in the world. Two species occur in Australia: the freshwater and the saltwater, both are here in Kakadu.

The variety of bird life on this river and the adjoining ponds and surrounding flood plains and wetlands is extensive. Kakadu's many habitats support over 280 species of birds, or about one third of Australia's birds.

The sunset over the wetlands with flocks of birds rising was just outstanding. How many photos can you take of a sunset can you take?


Sunset over The South Alligator River

Just Divine

Lots!