Katherine - 2nd May.

We arrived in Katherine mid morning and decided to stay at a caravan park in town rather than stay out at the national park as Roy had a few work things on the go and needed internet and phone access. After stocking up with supplies we had a pretty lazy afternoon swimming in the pool and getting sorted. Roy decided that a bottle of wine was in order and took Archie with him into town. As they were walking past Woolworths they heard someone yell out "Roy" and there was Alyssa and her 3 girls whom we had met some months earlier on the Great Ocean Road. The boys were so excited to see their friends again after all that time and enjoyed spending some time together. We went to their house for Pizza one night and the girls dressed Max and Archie up in palm fronds which they just loved and then they all put on a concert which was quite hilarious (for us anyway…our kids are so wonderful hahaha.)

We drove out to Nitmuluk National Park and did an 8.5km (return) walk to the Southern Rockholes which was about the only place you could swim around Katherine Gorge as the crocodile survey had not been completed (water level has been too high). Only recently a 700kg saltwater croc was trapped in the Katherine River which made the caravan park swimming pool look like a great option.

The walk was long and hot as we walked up out of the gorge up onto the escarpment however the scenery was wonderful. Max and Archie were terrific walking along enjoying themselves. The rock holes were cool and clear and we really enjoyed our time lazing in the water. Archie spent some time chasing frogs (he is fascinated by animals and shows no fear of them, which is a bit of a worry at times).
The view of the Gorge from the top was wonderful and we are hoping that the gorge is open for kayaking when we pass through on our way to the Kimberley.

The walk back to the visitor centre was long and very hot and the cool drinks and ice blocks were thoroughly enjoyed.

The remainder of our time in Katherine was spent stocking up on food, getting some minor repairs done (a new 7 pin plug put on the car) and swimming.